As I row, row, row
Going so slow, slow, slow
Just down below me is the old sea
Just down below me is the old sea
Nobody knows, knows, knows
So many things, things, so
So out of range
Sometimes so strange
Sometimes so sweet
Sometimes so lonely

The further I go
More letters from home never arrive
And I'm alone
All of the way
All of the way
Alone and alive

You just have to go, go, go
Where I don't know, know, know
This is the thing
Somebody told me
A long time ago

The further I go
More letters from home never arrive
And I'm alone
All of the way
All of the way
Alone and alive



Lyrics submitted by Es wurde Zeit

Track duration: 03:26

"Rowing Song" as written by Patricia J. Griffin

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Rowing Song song meanings
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7 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment:The lyrics repeat, like the rhythmical motion of rowing, but just when its about to get repetitive the horn come in and. . . its just so beautiful.

    My first listen through Impossible Dream this song stuck out, but then I forgot about it. A few months ago I was listening to Patty Griffin on random and in that place of mind, this song took on a new meaning - or rather, a new relative meaning, connection. This is the sort of open ended song that can be meaningful in a really intimate way to pretty much everyone.
    Flag allisoniquaon October 19, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I found this song on a compilation, "Putumayo Presents American Folk". Putumayo has a lot of great compilation discs. Ever since hearing this, I've been in love with Patty's music. I believe lately she's been touring with Robert Plant as part of his Band of Joy.
    Flag SusanBassPlayeron August 11, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I love the slow rowing rhythm to this quiet song.
    Flag grasswidow103on January 27, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song, like great poetry, has layers of meanings. The sea is the vast universe and death, and the boat is life. We are rowing along, each of us, so slowly. We have left our mooring, our home port, out in the great broad sea, away from the things that have meaning.

    This is the story of our generation, having left the comfort of humanity (stories, poems, religion, lore, folk songs, family, history, wisdom and love) for the convenience of science and technology. We are increasingly out of touch with what life is about, unable to connect with others - alone and alive.
    Flag ohyesyeson June 20, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Wow! This is a great song!!! i heard it in an old episode of OTH and I fell in love with it!
    Flag iluvothon September 01, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this is my song i always listen to when i'm homesick. she makes me feel like i'm not so alone.
    Flag a_palindromeon June 07, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:omg im in love with this song! its so moving and meaningful! to me its about her leaving home on her own and finding it harder than she thought it would be.
    Flag finallyfreeon December 18, 2005   Link

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