Lyrics for Caught By The River as interpreted by MDMaster

Caught By The River Lyrics
Son
What have you done?
You're caught by the river
You're coming undone

Life
You know it can't be so easy
But you can't just leave it
Cause you're not in control no more

And you give it all away
Would you give it all away now?
Don't let it come apart
Don't want to see you come apart

Son
What are you doing?
You learned a hard lesson
When you stood by the water

You and I
Were so full of love and hope
Would you give it all up now?
Would you give in just to spite them all?

Cause you give it all away
And you give it all away now
Don't let it come apart
Don't want to see you come apart

Cause you give it all away
And you give it all away now
Don't let it come apart
Don't want to see you come apart

Lay
I lay in the long grass
So many people
So many people pass

Stay
Stay here and lie on back
Get down in the cornfields
Stay till we're caught at last

Give it all away
Give it all away now
Don't let it come apart
Don't want to see you come apart

And you give it all away
Would you give it all away now?
Don't let it come apart
Don't want to see you come apart

Would you give it all away?
Would you give it all away?
Would you give it all away?
Give it all away
Give it all away
Give it all away
Give it all away

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  • 22 Comments
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delhoya
03-10-2009

Rated 0 
It's about loss and moving on. A subject common in most Doves songs. It could be about suicide or drug addiction, possibly both, but the important theme is escapism generally.

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lshiovitz
11-28-2008

Rated 0 
I agree that this song is an encouragement to someone struggling... I kind of envision someone young who is becoming frustrated with all of his efforts failing and is starting to give up hope in general...
The first verse, (1st couple of stanzas...) kind of sets the stage...the subject of the song is "coming undone" because life has been rough for him of late, and he's been struggling. The last line "Cause you're not in control no more" leads into the first chorus which is essentially saying: you need to let go of all the things in your past/present that are haunting you and that you're trying to control. No matter how hard you try, you can't control life. Sometimes the best thing you can do is "give it all away," take things from what they are, and let them go -- lessening their control over you.

The second verse talks about kind of similar things, I suppose. The subject learned a hard lesson -- something bad happened to him that is causing him to lose his innocent "love and hope." The narrator is saying: don't give up that innocent love and hope! Don't let the things in life force you to give up your dreams and pure love/heart. The second chorus is saying in this context: by becoming jaded you "give it all away" - this time "it" means your hopeful and loving heart...turning you into a cold and calloused person.

I think the last verse is the narrator inviting the subject to look at the world from a more removed and relaxed perspective...seeing how "so many people" have their hardships and their struggles, but that the beauty in life still remains and can be bigger than a specific struggle if you take a step back.

Haha sorry for such a long interpretation...I guess I got into this one! Good song :)

PS. I think the river represents the world or life or however you want to phrase it. It just keeps going, unaware and uncaring of you jumping in it.


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aliciawtf
01-03-2008

Rated 0 
i agree with cileskot as well. i love the intro to this song and the image of being caught by a river is one that i'd never thought of before hearing this song, and i love it.. even though i'm not exactly sure what it means.

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anemptyroom
01-01-2008

Rated 0 
I agree with cileskot - this is such a beautiful song, and the phrase "give it all away" could be interpreted any number of ways. One of my favorites of all time.

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cileskot
04-04-2007

Rated 0 
you know this song could have many meanings. it can be about losing anything important, from a life to a loved one. you really can apply these lyrics to a lot of different situations.

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golightly
11-10-2006

Rated 0 
To me its about someone who is suicidal and another person trying to help them see its not the answer.

One of Doves best.

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aidan1233
07-27-2006

Rated 0 
whats all this crap about the oc? that is a shite show, i saw it on scrubs first and i immediately have to have it. its a great song, everyone should love it :D

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BongoBarnes
07-25-2006

Rated 0 
My inital reaction to all this OC talk is similar to inbertweenmolecule's reaction... I absolutely hate that self-pitying bag of over privileged shite program. That aside, I have, as I read down (and this is saying a lot considering how bigoted I am against that show) I sawe that some of your OC viewers have been awakened to decent music. So, I say (gritted teeth) thank you OC. I hope my wife never sees this.

Doves - saw them live in Wembley and Bolton (supporting Coldplay), their home town. Almost a spiritual experience for me. This song, and Pounding were two of the most amazing concert experiences I have ever had.

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clairpatra
07-17-2006

Rated 0 
I'd never heard of the Doves until I bought the OC soundtrack cause the music on the OC is awesome. Anyhow heard this song and instantly loved it. It seems really deep and I definitely agree with all the comments made earlier about it being about encouragement for a lost soul etc

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little-latte-girl
07-05-2006

Rated 0 
I thought it was about giving love away too, when I first heard it. Or friendship-- like friends, who would be risking everything for love? but then I listened more, and I like the suicide version- not because I like the idea of suicide, not at all, but because that basicallly makes it a song about how much there is to live for, and no matter what it is about, it makes me feel great everytime i hear it! it reminds me of the best year of my life, when I listened to it over and over and over again, and now thats all i can think about when I hear it.
xXx

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louisagiffard
05-29-2006

Rated 0 
You guys only know about it because it was on the OC!
Seriously though, hate the show, love most of the music that's on it. For me, if a band was on the OC, they're generally good.
Is it just me or is almost every song about suicide when you look at the lyrics? Look at The Sulphur Man. For some reason it seems to be about suicide too!

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louisagiffard
05-29-2006

Rated 0 
You guys only know about it because it was on the OC!
Seriously though, hate the show, love most of the music that's on it. For me, if a band was on the OC, they're generally good.
Is it just me or is almost every song about suicide when you look at the lyrics? Look at The Sulphur Man. For some reason it seems to be about suicide too!

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KishorelovesKishore
05-20-2006

Rated 0 
this song told me not to give up each line means so much to me and made so much sense in so many depressing situations i'll never forget what its givin me for not letting me give up on music

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inbetweenmolecules
03-04-2006

Rated 0 
this was on the OC? shitasscrapgina. let's hope that show does more in the future to take away my music.

this song has helped me through some tough times. i always think it has some kind of spiritual meaning in it too.

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KINGmidus
02-08-2006

Rated 0 
This song is about a persons struggle w/ a drug addiction, and someones desperate attempts to get them to overcome it. The person in the song is out of control. The addict's life is coming undone and the father, freind...whatever is saying that they need to get out of that lifestyle.

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dannymp3
05-28-2005

Rated 0 
I don't think it's a bad thing to like this song because you heard it on the O.C. The O.C. has done a lot of great things for those unheard artists that don't get played on the radio.

I'm tired of all that mainstream rap bullshit. Radio stations need to play more good music like this, a LOT more often, if they do at all. :-\ Which is kinda' why I dont listen to radio at all. (AT ALL!)

Great song. Nice comments in reference to its connection with suicide, and getting those to have fate in better times for life.

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jenazabab
04-02-2005

Rated 0 
I love this song so much. Like I say about a lot of songs, it's really calming and it can have so many meanings.

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music*ismyboyfriend
03-29-2005

Rated 0 
I dont think its about sucide, i think its about giving your love away, not your life. Well actually in a way your life, because thats whats happenes when you fall in love.

But i do agree with the fact that it did fit perfectly in the Oc amazing part, so free and happy. :)

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koolkt85
01-24-2005

Rated 0 
fits in well in the part of the OC.
I hate to be like every other oc junky out there but i really do love that show and this song fits in perfectly. ryan's a lost soul.. doesn't know where to go. and all of as udden he's introduced to this new world, a new girl, a new friend. and life for even just a few seconds, seems wonderful and easy.

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lemonjelly
01-22-2005

Rated 0 
all agreed. an optimistic song, and SUCH a great tune and intro.

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Oni13
03-05-2003

Rated 0 
I think you make a very good point. It's defenitely supposed to be a message of encouragement to someone, obviously troubled. Possibly depressed and comtemplating suicide. "Stay, stay here and lie on back. Get down in the cornfields. Stay till we're caught at last" Suggests to me they are trying to show this person that there are parts of life worth appreciating.

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DiscoEve
07-17-2002

Rated 0 
A song about sucide. From a parent and then maybe a loved one in the 5th stanza. "would you give it all way" would you end your life because of some hard times, dont give up because times get rough. Basicly a postive message to a lost soul of sorts.

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