Cageless Birds - River Of Love Lyrics

"River of Love" & "Everything" (Spontaneous) | Joel Case & Melissa Helser | 2021 #18InchJourney

River Of Love Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

"River Of Love" by Cageless Birds emerges as a resonant piece from their body of work, captured in the context of the #18InchJourney series alongside a spontaneous moment. The lyrics unfold as a personal exploration of divine connection, beginning with a sense of being drawn in, "getting caught up again," and experiencing a profound "love divine." This opening sets the stage for a process of rediscovery, "learning all over again," what it truly means to be enveloped and understood by a higher power, expressed as being "loved by You" and "known by You." The repetition of "again" hints at a journey with previous experiences, suggesting a return to or deeper dive into this transformative relationship.

The heart of the song resides in its chorus, which introduces the powerful central metaphor: the "river of love." The plea for this river to "flow" and "pour through the streets that run in my heart" paints a vivid picture of internal transformation and cleansing. It signifies an earnest desire for this divine love to permeate every aspect of the inner landscape. The speaker declares openness to a "promise You gave to us," suggesting an awareness of a broader covenant or assurance offered by the divine. The repeated affirmation, "I am ready, I am ready," coupled with the anticipation "For You to come," expresses a state of profound readiness and yearning for the presence and active work of this love.

Building upon this theme of readiness, the second verse and subsequent reiterations delve deeper into the practice of relationship and surrender. The lines "Learning to trust again" and "lean in to who You are" indicate a step-by-step process of building intimacy and reliance. The physical gestures of opening "my heart and my hands" symbolize vulnerability, receptivity, and a willingness to receive. The surrender is further articulated as "giving in to be known by You" and "Giving in to be loved by You," emphasizing that this divine interaction is not passive but requires active participation and yieldedness from the individual.

The bridge expands the river metaphor, illustrating the extent of this desired inundation. The call for the love to flow "through the streets in my heart," "Over the banks of my soul," and "Run through the thoughts in my mind" depicts a total saturation. It is a longing for this divine flow to reach and transform the deepest parts of one's being – emotions (heart), spirit (soul), and intellect (mind). The purpose of this pervasive flow is explicitly stated: "'Til all I know is I am loved." This repeated affirmation highlights the ultimate goal – the complete assurance and foundational identity rooted in the experience of being loved.

Overall, "River Of Love" is a sincere and evocative expression of the desire for intimate connection with the divine. It traces a journey from initial awareness to deep surrender, using the imagery of a flowing river to represent the powerful, cleansing, and transformative nature of divine love. The song’s structure, with its repetitive chorus and bridge, creates an atmosphere of earnest invitation and expectant readiness, aligning well with the context of spontaneous worship often found within the Cageless Birds' #18InchJourney output. It speaks to the universal human longing to be fully known and loved, and the willingness to yield one's inner life to allow that reality to become all-consuming.