album cover
artist
Jimmy Nail
Big River
40,570
Pop
Big River was released on October 16, 1995 by Rhino as a part of the album Big River
album cover
Most Popular
Past 7 Days
03:20 - 03:25
Big River was discovered most frequently at around 3 minutes and 20 seconds into the song during the past week
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OVERVIEW

LYRICS

Music Video

Music Video

Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Jimmy Nail
Jimmy Nail
Performer
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Jimmy Nail
Jimmy Nail
Composer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Walking on cobbled stones, little bits of skin and bone
Jumping on a tram car for a ride
I can remember then, I was just a boy of ten
Hanging around the old keyside
Now all the capstans and the cargo boats and stevadores are gone
To where all the old ships go, but memories, just like the seas, live on
'Cause that was when coal was king, the river was a living thing
And I was just a boy, but it was mine, the Coaly Tyne
[Verse 2]
For this was a big river, I want you all to know that I was proud
This was a big river, but that was long ago
That's not now, that's not now
[Verse 3]
My father was a working man, he earned our living with his hands
He had to cross the river every day
He picked up a union card out of the Neptune yard
Mouths to feed and bills to pay
Then came a time for him to sail across the seas and far away
And finally when that war was won
You brought him home, and home he stayed
[Verse 4]
And when his days were done, under a golden sun
You took him back to where he longed to be
Back to the sea
[Verse 5]
For this was a big river, I want you all to know that I was proud
This was a big river, but that was long ago
That's not now, that's not now
That's not now
[Verse 6]
The Neptune was the last to go, I heard it on my radio
And then they played the latest number one
But what do they do all day?
And what are they supposed to say?
What does a father tell his son?
If you believe that there's a bond between our future and our past
And try to hold on to what we have
We build them strong, we build to last
[Verse 7]
'Cause this is a mighty town, build upon a solid ground
And everything they've tried so hard to kill, we will rebuild
[Verse 8]
For this was a big river, I want you all to know I'm so very proud
This was a big river, but that was long ago
That's not now
And this is a big, big, river
And in my heart, I know it will rise again
The river will rise again
Written by: Jimmy Nail

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