Hole In The River
Neil Finn/Eddie Rayner
There’s a hole in the river where my auntie lies
From the land of the living to the air and sky
Left her car by the river left her shoes beside
Through the thorns and the bushes I hope she was…
Dreaming of glory
Miles above the mountains and plains
Free at last
We were touched by a cold wind, my father and I
The sound of desperate breathing her fear inside us all
She was coming to see him but something changed her mind
Drove her down to the river
There is no return
There’s a hole in the river where a memory lies
From the land of the living to the air and sky
She was coming to see him
But something changed her mind,
Drove her down to the river
There is no return
Song appears on:
The song’s title was a line from the 1963 movie, Irma La Douce, in which Shirley MacLaine’s character threatens to throw herself off a bridge “and make a hole in the river.” The day after seeing the film, Neil was notified of an Aunt’s suicide.
Hole In The River (Split Enz demo, 1984)
Neil Finn/Eddie Rayner/Paul Hester
There’s a hole in the river where my auntie lies
From the land of the living to the air and sky
Left her car by the river, left her shoes beside
Through the thorns and the bushes to the place she died
Well, people don’t die just ‘cause they’re dead
Listen close, turn off your headset
Memory stays just a little longer
I’m glad to say I’m still emotional
I’m still emotional
We were touched by a cold wind, my father and I
Her desperate breathing inside us all
She was coming to see him but something changed her mind
Drove her down to the river
There is no return
Well, people don’t die just ‘cause they’re dead
Listen close, turn off your headset
Memory stays just a little longer
I’m glad to say I’m still emotional
I’m still emotional
We were touched by a cold wind, my father and I
The sound of her breathing inside us all
She was coming to see him but something changed her mind
Drove her down to the river
There is no return now
Well, people don’t die just ‘cause they’re dead
Listen close, turn off your headset
Memory stays just a little longer
I’m glad to say I’m still…
I’m still…
I’m still…