River of Dreams
By Billy Joel

Billy Champlin was made for this song. His heart was made for it. His soul was formed to sing this song. River of Dreams has a lovely melody but the lyrics are what make this song. This song was made for me. It speaks personally to me. It is fresh to me every time and sometimes I put it in a loop and just meditate on it. Actually, I don't even meditate on it, I'm just stay in its' presence.

This song touches me deeply. It talks about the valley of fear and the river so deep. It speaks of something so precious that I lost. It speaks of seeing with the eyes of blind. I see with the eyes of he blind or I wish I did. This song speaks of something that was stolen from me, something undefined. The song articulates the inarticulate matters of the heart for me.

As much as it speaks to me, this song speaks for me. Sometimes when I get writers block, I use this song to stir the passions of my heart and set my mind free. I walk through the jungle of doubt and know what I'm looking for. It is something in the Promised Land if not the land itself.

This song was written by Billy Joel and it was for Bill Champlin, even if none of the illustrious two realize it. Billy Joel can sing it but it take Champlin to take it translate it from the soul. Bill Champlin has sung that song for Billy Joel and no wonder. Then Champlin sung it again for the Lady Smith Black Mambazo, with the famous African acapella and percussion group doing backup. The latter is sublime and aptly produced by Alan Abrahams.

Joel may have been writing from experience but as all great songs should, it speak to an individual. River of Dreams speaks of walking from the mountain of faith to a river so deep. I know of that mountain, even if only from a distance and I know that river so deep. At least in part do I know those things. That is why this song speaks to me and so many others.

As the song goes, "I'm must be looking for something, something scared I lost." Then I go walking in the middle of the night. There is something so mystical about this song. It is as though I believe I'm dreaming and that I'll really wake up. On the other hand, this seems all too real and I need to deal with it.

Learn more about this author, Jobie Weetaluktuk.
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