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Geoffrey Oryema — The River
Album: Beat The Border
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3196









Released: 1993
Length: 6:17
Plays (last 30 days): 3
Paint me a picture of a river
and let it flow
just let it flow
it will flow and wash away our differences
and love will grow

You have the power to deliver
so let it flow
When I dip my hand into your water
I feel your soul

Nafikiliya Koruba Shamba
Nafikiliya Koruba Shamba

I'll do the fire by your river of metled stone
you can drink the silver of my moonlight
as our fire burns
the fire burns

I'll slide inside your slient water
like polished stone
then break the surface with a shiver
while the river flows

Nafikiliya Koruba Shamba
Nafikiliya Koruba Shamba

Paint me a picture of the river
and let it flow
let it flow
all across the deserts and the mountains
we'll let it go
let it go

Nafikiliya Koruba Shamba
Nafikiliya Koruba Shamba
Comments (195)add comment
Peter Gabrielesque to my ear. Very nice.
 meanderer wrote:
Would have liked to know this man's music earlier - must have been awesome live through a big sound system!

Without RP, I wouldn't know it still, so another thank you to RP and I'll count my blessings


This after I am Kloot's The Same Deep Water As Me, I see what you did there William.
Wow!
Moving
Hypnotic
Transcendent.
Still a solid 10 in my book.
I knew Gabriel produced this or at least at Real World studios where the production all has a bit of PG in everything. I love it
Hypnotic. 
Calming.
I just love it.
Up to 10, then.
7 -> 8
Sometimes you just gotta hear it again to appreciate it a bit more.
 iloveradio wrote:

Holy crap, this track gets played a lot.



Hmm 3 times in Main mix last 30 days is a lot?
I love this tune. I have to check into more of his work. Sad to see that he's passed. I would love to have known his work earlier and maybe have seen a live performance.
nice segue coming out of echoes,  Not easy to do.

{#Cheers}
Holy crap, this track gets played a lot.
Holy crap this track sent shivers down me spine! It's mesmerizing.
 Roguewarer wrote:
Award for "Best Background Song During Lovey-Times."

btw: The swahili lyrics drove me nuts ... I spent months trying to find someone who could provide a translation. Google was no real help at that point... but FINALLY!! relying upon the sole kindness and infallible nature of Internet sourcing :-/  Here's what I found:

 Nafikiria kurudi shamba in swahili means "I am thinking of going back to the (farm)land / field".
Many thanks to akuraoo and MamboBado2010 who were so kind to {provide} the translation.

If there are other translations: please bring it!
 

Your translation is correct, and thanks for providing the correct tex.
Such a nice song! t ((not like in the provided lyrics) 
Rita_J “mesmerizing” is a great 👍 comment for this astutely talented artist.
Nafikiliya Koruba Shamba (Swahili for ‘Nuclear Coral Field’) Thanks google translate. It was worth the diversion to find an English translation. This track simply caresses the listener, massages your soul, and in words of wisdom it’ll ... Paint me a picture of a river and let it flow Glorious Victorious
As per all the positive posts! Class to all these musical talents.
GO was an incredible musician, performer and poet.  To me anyway this stanza is just so beautiful:

I'll slide inside your slient water
like polished stone
then break the surface with a shiver
while the river flows
Been listening to GO for so many years now. I still have and play this his earliest American recording.
In my book, he and this song are a clear 20
The entire album is mesmerizing.
Would have liked to know this man's music earlier - must have been awesome live through a big sound system!

Without RP, I wouldn't know it still, so another thank you to RP and I'll count my blessings
 cara.lindsell wrote:

THANK YOU for the translation and for your efforts!
 

 Roguewarer wrote:
Award for "Best Background Song During Lovey-Times."

btw: The swahili lyrics drove me nuts ... I spent months trying to find someone who could provide a translation. Google was no real help at that point... but FINALLY!! relying upon the sole kindness and infallible nature of Internet sourcing :-/  Here's what I found:

 Nafikiria kurudi shamba in swahili means "I am thinking of going back to the (farm)land / field".
Many thanks to akuraoo and MamboBado2010 who were so kind to {provide} the translation.

If there are other translations: please bring it!
 

Oh my good God!!! Thanks for this Music Rebecca and Bill A 10
+1 to a 10. This really is an amazing song.
Looking at the wiki pic>> I was thinking I'd love to see him. A quick search let me know he recently died. Worth a read... 
great album end to end
Not available as .mp3 from Amazon.  Bill you have a knack for finding really good stuff that can't be purchased.

**edit, then I find it a few clicks in, it's buried but in there.

NVM
Upgraded 6 > 7
such a smooth sound. thanks RP .. where else would I find such AMAZING music. Love you guys!! you have saved me on so many levels - music-wise :)
There was a Richard Marx song called "Hazard' - "I swear I left her by the river, I swear I left her safe and sound..." Not sure why, but parts of this song sound exactly like that one to me. Anyone else agree?
 passsion8 wrote:
I got an Alan Parsons vibe. 
 A little Roxy Music as well.

 Roguewarer wrote:
Award for "Best Background Song During Lovey-Times."

btw: The swahili lyrics drove me nuts ... I spent months trying to find someone who could provide a translation. Google was no real help at that point... but FINALLY!! relying upon the sole kindness and infallible nature of Internet sourcing :-/  Here's what I found:

 Nafikiria kurudi shamba in swahili means "I am thinking of going back to the (farm)land / field".
Many thanks to akuraoo and MamboBado2010 who were so kind to {provide} the translation.

If there are other translations: please bring it!

 


Google almost has it: "I come to the Chorus Field" is the result when I paste it into their translate tool.  Every month those tools get better. I can imagine that a decade from now some of the currently "not ready for primetime" instant realtime translation tools will actually work fairly well.
One of my favorite artists these past 15 years - one of his best songs. Requiem en pacem Geoffrey
 Roguewarer wrote:
Award for "Best Background Song During Lovey-Times."

btw: The swahili lyrics drove me nuts ... I spent months trying to find someone who could provide a translation. Google was no real help at that point... but FINALLY!! relying upon the sole kindness and infallible nature of Internet sourcing :-/  Here's what I found:

 Nafikiria kurudi shamba in swahili means "I am thinking of going back to the (farm)land / field".
Many thanks to akuraoo and MamboBado2010 who were so kind to {provide} the translation.

If there are other translations: please bring it!
 
Translation i found is "Think Back to the Farm"     https://imtranslator.net/translation/swahili/to-english/translation/
 

This is an amazing song, my wish list now.  It would be even better late night with minimal light and go drifting away.
Award for "Best Background Song During Lovey-Times."

btw: The swahili lyrics drove me nuts ... I spent months trying to find someone who could provide a translation. Google was no real help at that point... but FINALLY!! relying upon the sole kindness and infallible nature of Internet sourcing :-/  Here's what I found:

 Nafikiria kurudi shamba in swahili means "I am thinking of going back to the (farm)land / field".
Many thanks to akuraoo and MamboBado2010 who were so kind to {provide} the translation.

If there are other translations: please bring it!
The entire album will give you chills :)
 rdo wrote:

good food and music---you are running the risk of sensory overload
 
And I am sitting in my hand built shed next to a river in Vermont wi
th the wood stove cranking (15 degreesF outside) love this music. Thanks RP donation in the mail 
bumping to 9 lol it speaks to me! {#Sunny}
 Ellitsa wrote:
Many years ago, 4 friends, 2 from the south of Europe, the other two from the south of Africa, drove through county Roscommon in Ireland. We played our favourite music to each other. It was night, it was raining, and the beautiful sound of "The River" brought warmth and light not just to that moment, but to every other in the years to come, whenever the song came up on the playlist. Thank you RP!!!

 
nice story! {#Sunny}
I got an Alan Parsons vibe. 
Yes. please. {#Hug}

 Thanks for posting the link, just looked it up, another beautiful one!

Frenchie_lady wrote:

  
It's funny because in France (where Geoffrey Oryema lives) we said about Geoffrey he is the french Leonard Cohen and he is a friend of Peter Gabriel too...
listen to this great song (with Peter Gabriel)

https://youtu.be/8whgLjMUBaE

coy wrote:
does leonard cohen know about this ?

Rooney wrote:

Yes, and apparently so does early Peter Garbriel. 

 
 


  
It's funny because in France (where Geoffrey Oryema lives) we said about Geoffrey he is the french Leonard Cohen and he is a friend of Peter Gabriel too...
listen to this great song (with Peter Gabriel)

https://youtu.be/8whgLjMUBaE

coy wrote:
does leonard cohen know about this ?

Rooney wrote:

Yes, and apparently so does early Peter Garbriel. 

 

In 3 years listen RP and first time I listen oryema here. I love this artist since almost 15 years. Please play more of this 
yer welcome mcdon
The more often I listen to it, the more I like it. Bumped from 8 to 9.
 RabbitEars wrote:

Joni - River (Herbie Hancock's version***)
Peter Gabriel - Across the RIver
Daniel Lanois - Still Water, The Maker
Van Morrison - You don't pull no punches but you don't Push the RIver
Andrew Bird - Orpheo
Bobby D - Watching the River Flow
TH/Al Green - Take Me to the River
Kate - Lord of the Reedy River
Grant Lee Phillips - So Central Rain
Jimmy Cliff - Many Rivers to Cross
Nick Drake - River Man
Alison Krauss - Down to the River to Pray
Banks of the Ohio
Elbow - The RIver
Nick Cave - Sleepy River

 

 
Thanks for those!

Some more favorite river songs:

Driftwood on the River - Ernest Tubb w/ Billy Walker
Life is Like a River - Doc Watson
River Knows Your Name - John Hiatt
Moonchild River Song - Eric Andersen
Gypsy Moth - Hoyt Axton
Somewhere Down the Crazy River - Robbie Robertson
Peace Like a River - Paul Simon
The Cool, Cool River - Paul Simon
River of Dreams - Billy Joel
Shallow Rivers - Dan Fogelberg
All Roads to the River - Janis Ian (also covered by John Mellencamp)
Buffalo River Home - John Hiatt
River of Love - Taj Mahal
Ev'ry Wind (in the River) - Taj Mahal

and pretty much everything on Mason Williams' album, Of Time and Rivers Flowing.

Just consider yourselves lucky I didn't share the entire playlist of 80+ tunes ... ;)
Good sounds ... definitely some Peter Gabriel / Genesis influences going on.
{#Mrgreen}{#Sunny}Just one more reason I listen and donate to RP, getting exposed to artists like Geoffrey Orymea, very nice TY
strong and outstanding composition
 oldsaxon wrote:
It's Sunday today. I live in a valley in Wales. It's now filled with cloud and the wind is swirling the mist up toward the valley's head. I have done nothing of value all day except watch that the fire doesn't go out. In a few minutes I will eat a nice pork shoulder roast (that has been making the whole house smell fantastic for four hours) with roasted root vegetables and a nice wine. This is the right music for just now.

 
good food and music---you are running the risk of sensory overload
 Enjoy ! {#Cheers}   oldsaxon wrote:
It's Sunday today. I live in a valley in Wales. It's now filled with cloud and the wind is swirling the mist up toward the valley's head. I have done nothing of value all day except watch that the fire doesn't go out. In a few minutes I will eat a nice pork shoulder roast (that has been making the whole house smell fantastic for four hours) with roasted root vegetables and a nice wine. This is the right music for just now.

 



It's Sunday today. I live in a valley in Wales. It's now filled with cloud and the wind is swirling the mist up toward the valley's head. I have done nothing of value all day except watch that the fire doesn't go out. In a few minutes I will eat a nice pork shoulder roast (that has been making the whole house smell fantastic for four hours) with roasted root vegetables and a nice wine. This is the right music for just now.
 Tippster wrote
 WonderLizard wrote:
There are great "river" songs, which evoke the water's passage as much as its role in the lyrical ideas. This is one. So are "One Tree Hill" (U2), "The River" (Bruce), "Green River" (Creedence) and Smetana's "Die Moldau." There are many, many more.
 
"Ride Across the River" - Dire Straits
"Orinoco Flow" - Enya
 
Joni - River (Herbie Hancock's version***)
Peter Gabriel - Across the RIver
Daniel Lanois - Still Water, The Maker
Van Morrison - You don't pull no punches but you don't Push the RIver
Andrew Bird - Orpheo
Bobby D - Watching the River Flow
TH/Al Green - Take Me to the River
Kate - Lord of the Reedy River
Grant Lee Phillips - So Central Rain
Jimmy Cliff - Many Rivers to Cross
Nick Drake - River Man
Alison Krauss - Down to the River to Pray
Banks of the Ohio
Elbow - The RIver
Nick Cave - Sleepy River

 
The past set is synchromeshed with my attitude today.  This is yummy.
What a wonderfully evocative song, it makes me want to go for a long walk.. maybe by a river.
...folks,you´re great.....{#Clap}....reading all the diff.coments here on RP is better than ANY tv,.....or such shit......{#Yes}
 coy wrote:
does leonard cohen know about this ?
 
 Rooney wrote:

Yes, and apparently so does early Peter Garbriel. 
 
Pretty standard, sparse, two-chord melody, the sort used in hundreds of songs.  No need to get all eager on calling in the attorneys.  There's no lawsuit here; sorry fellas, back to law school.
 coy wrote:
does leonard cohen know about this ?
 
Yes, and apparently so does early Peter Garbriel. 
sweet.......I need more of this
does leonard cohen know about this ?
Perfect song for relaxing on a Friday after work. Perfect timing. Love this tune.
Bumped this from 8 to 9 - it's wonderfully mesmerizing and soothing - a tiny bit reminiscent of the Moody Blues, only in some ways, even better.  Like it a LOT.

Still powerful to me. 


ethno-pop at it´s worst. uninspired and more than annoying
Over played. =(
HAPPY FESTIVUS EVERYONE !!
Hypnotic...great line-up, Bill!
 WonderLizard wrote:
There are great "river" songs, which evoke the water's passage as much as its role in the lyrical ideas. This is one. So are "One Tree Hill" (U2), "The River" (Bruce), "Green River" (Creedence) and Smetana's "Die Moldau." There are many, many more.
 
Another brilliant song that comes to mind is "Let the River Run", a song that won an Academy Award.  But I don't think Carly Simon is played on RP.


I love the slow, plodding rhythm and mesmerizing vocals... It definitely sets a mood...
Really like this song - hadn't heard it in years.


 
WonderLizard wrote:
There are great "river" songs, which evoke the water's passage as much as its role in the lyrical ideas. This is one. So are "One Tree Hill" (U2), "The River" (Bruce), "Green River" (Creedence) and Smetana's "Die Moldau." There are many, many more.
 
"Ride Across the River" - Dire Straits
"Orinoco Flow" - Enya


I've always liked this track. I think I'm remembering it from Rainman. I agree, Gabrielesque.
I haven't read all of the replies, but did Daniel Lanois or Brian Eno have anything to do with this album or track?
 djaychicago wrote:

Great observation and comment. I agree this song really does evoke a feeling of the water flowing down a wide river. The song is really growing on me. I gave it a 7 originally, but I am inclined to raise that to an 8 on the second listen. Nice followup to Robbie's The Crazy River. - Thanks Bill!

 
At the risk of enraging all the Peter Gabriel haters out there, Across the River would be a nice follow on from this tune.

 WonderLizard wrote:
There are great "river" songs, which evoke the water's passage as much as its role in the lyrical ideas. This is one. So are "One Tree Hill" (U2), "The River" (Bruce), "Green River" (Creedence) and Smetana's "Die Moldau." There are many, many more.
 
Great observation and comment. I agree this song really does evoke a feeling of the water flowing down a wide river. The song is really growing on me. I gave it a 7 originally, but I am inclined to raise that to an 8 on the second listen. Nice followup to Robbie's The Crazy River. - Thanks Bill!

 WonderLizard wrote:
There are great "river" songs, which evoke the water's passage as much as its role in the lyrical ideas. This is one. So are "One Tree Hill" (U2), "The River" (Bruce), "Green River" (Creedence) and Smetana's "Die Moldau." There are many, many more.
 
You forgot to mention the Rolling Stones singing "Can't Get No Satisfaction" from the river scene in "Apocalypse Now"

{#Devil_pimp}

 Frater_Kork wrote:
And the backing vocals go "Academiaaaa..."
Follow this one with some Sia. ;)
 
No, no. They're saying "Epitheliuuuum"
 WonderLizard wrote:
There are great "river" songs, which evoke the water's passage as much as its role in the lyrical ideas. This is one. So are "One Tree Hill" (U2), "The River" (Bruce), "Green River" (Creedence) and Smetana's "Die Moldau." There are many, many more.
 
Grantchester Meadows


"It rubs the lotion on its skin. It does this whenever it's told."

"It rubs the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again.
 Yes, it will, Precious. It will get the hose."

{#Daisy} me likey~


i love everything Geoffrey did on his first two Realworld CD releases. his vocals are the smoothest ...

thanks for playing this Ugandan god, Bill!

Crap. I love this song, but I can totally hear the Skinemax reference... {#Doh}
 
elstring wrote:


YES!!!  My thoughts exactly.
 


And the backing vocals go "Academiaaaa..."
Follow this one with some Sia. ;)
 agnes wrote:
This sounds like the end credits to a bad Skinemax porn.

"Quick, man, change the channel!! Mom's awake!!!"
 

YES!!!  My thoughts exactly.
I can't believe the avg. rating on this is just a 7. Anyone need their ears cleaned?
God I love this song. Now I finally see what album it is on and I can make another attempt at buying it. Outstanding.
A gorgeously ornate shuffle, bass and guitar echo Eberhart and Daniel......
Wow!
There are great "river" songs, which evoke the water's passage as much as its role in the lyrical ideas. This is one. So are "One Tree Hill" (U2), "The River" (Bruce), "Green River" (Creedence) and Smetana's "Die Moldau." There are many, many more.

ktnsb wrote:
No, this is a beautiful blend of words and musical portraiture and landscape.
Well said - put me down for one of those.
garthwb wrote:
Geoffrey is King! His "Exile" album's been a close companion through many a sleepless night. As an African, the music brings gooseflesh to my skin, beautiful land, wonderful people and gorgeous, life-affirming rhythms... What an honour to have been born in such a magical, mystical place! If you haven't been, we'd love to have you!
count me in, can I stay at your place :)
Geoffrey is King! His "Exile" album's been a close companion through many a sleepless night. As an African, the music brings gooseflesh to my skin, beautiful land, wonderful people and gorgeous, life-affirming rhythms... What an honour to have been born in such a magical, mystical place! If you haven't been, we'd love to have you!
This song is SO gripping. I've been wanting to hear it for some time. Last time it played, I didn't catch which song it was in the playlist, and I've been wondering who the musician is ever since. Glad I heard it again. If the rest of the disk is this good, it's DEFINITELY going on to the 'must get' list. So, how's the rest of this disk?
Love will grow..great flowing track
From 6 to.. 8!
No, this is a beautiful blend of words and musical portraiture and landscape.
This sounds like the end credits to a bad Skinemax porn. "Quick, man, change the channel!! Mom's awake!!!"
I've never heard this before. Awesome follow-up to "Somewhere Down the Crazy River."
Duffalo wrote:
Nice. I definitely hear Peter Gabriel in this somewhere.
He could be there...this CD is on his label, RealWorld.
I love this song. Very ambient & moody. I like the rest of this CD but think this is the best song on it.
esotericderek wrote:
This just followed Robbie Robertson's "Crazy River". What's next, Nick Drake's "River Man", or David Byrne's "Take Me To The River"?
....maybe Roger McGuinn : Ballad of Easy Rider? "....the river flows, flows down to the sea...."
Very Moody Bluesy.
esotericderek wrote:
This just followed Robbie Robertson's "Crazy River". What's next, Nick Drake's "River Man", or David Byrne's "Take Me To The River"?
Moon River?
This song paints a beautiful portrait in my mind.
Lovely.
esotericderek wrote:
This just followed Robbie Robertson's "Crazy River". What's next, Nick Drake's "River Man", or David Byrne's "Take Me To The River"?
"Old Man River"? "River High, Mountain Deep"? (er, shurely shome mishtake? Ed.)
the whole album is good!
This song got my attention immediately..nice movement
inindian wrote:
It's a kind of lazy cop-out misnomer..a kind of, "Oh, it comes from somewhere else and doesn't fit in the pop/rock section, so we'll call it world!"
Most college literature programs feature 3 main concentrations: British, American, and World. Today "world" means "everywhere else" (as it does in pop music), but as any lit major of a certain age will tell you, up until relatively recently "world" meant French!
esotericderek wrote:
This just followed Robbie Robertson's "Crazy River". What's next, Nick Drake's "River Man", or David Byrne's "Take Me To The River"?
Don't know, but given this sleepy groove, it will not be Proud Mary
This just followed Robbie Robertson's "Crazy River". What's next, Nick Drake's "River Man", or David Byrne's "Take Me To The River"?
IHateParis wrote:
..."world music" sound. (I really hate that term, "world music," by the way.)
Yeah, me too. It's a kind of lazy cop-out misnomer..a kind of, "Oh, it comes from somewhere else and doesn't fit in the pop/rock section, so we'll call it world!" And besides, a lot of people are automatically put off by the term coz it makes them think of Enya (sorry) or something..an' it's not too bad a song either
not long enough but thanks
this song, which id rate an 8 normally, hit at just the right time where i'm feeling all spiritual-journey-ish, and suddenly its a 10.
Meh, I think I have some G.O. that I like, but this is kinda bland IMO
Saw Geoffrey Oryema at WOMADelaide (thank you Peter Gabriel) some time back - mesmerising - had 5-8,000 audience entranced. Check your baggage kids, this man's royalty (actually). Google him; see if I'm wrong. The flakey comments usually come from the least musically rounded folk. Yeah, and he has more wives than you've had hot lunches.
sterlingy wrote:
This whole album is amazing. Great driving beat.
yep
Great melody and atmosphere. Nice pick, Bill.
celadonstone wrote:
The flaky "friends" cereal is strictly colon cleaner. Regularity is not to be underrated--otherwise, you literally are full of crap.
Class and panache indeed. Perhaps some listeners are inspired by the "earthy" quality of this tune.