FAWM: "Oh, River"

Oh, River

2 days ago by @scubed

Oh, River

scubed

00:00

Liner Notes

As someone with autism and ADHD, I sometimes experience overwhelm, which results in physical distress and jumbled, chaotic thoughts. Being overwhelmed also worsens my alexithymia (difficulty recognizing/describing my emotions). When I'm in that kind of state, quiet time in nature is very restorative.

#americana #acoustic #neurodivergence #alexithymia #harmonies

Lyrics

Oh, River ©️2026 - words and music by Sharon Stepler

I walk down to the river to clear my mind When thoughts whirl like dry leaves in the wind Watching the rippling water swirl and wind Slows my racing heart I breathe again

Oh, river, wide and strong Oh, river, deep and slow Oh, river, sing your song And wash the dust from my soul

I can't always name the feelings that I feel I can't always name the tightness in my chest But when life is too noisy and my senses reel Walking by the river brings me rest

Oh, river, wide and strong Oh, river, deep and slow Oh, river, sing your song And wash the dust from my soul

[break - chorus]

When I listen to your waters tumbling over stone In my solitude I am not alone

Oh, river, wide and strong Oh, river, deep and slow Oh, river, sing your song And wash the dust from my soul

Comments

@vosling 5h

Beautiful harmonies on the chorus. Water can hold and release so much emotion. "Oh river, deep and slow," is beautiful, and it reminds me of Black Muddy River by Grateful Dead. It's beautiful to think of this lineage of river songs, and how it must stretch across time and space. Generations of people finding peace at the water's edge and creating songs in gratitude.

Thank you for the song, I enjoyed it.

@maesparrow 7h

oh yes- absolutely beautiful and also very recognizable. you have a beautiful voice,, very calming- just like the lyrics. harmonies are exquisite. thank you for this little safe place <3

@ayeahmur 11h

Hey this is terrific. I really appreciate your lyrics, and even as a neurotypical I can very much empathise with the restorative effects of reconnecting with natural. Gorgeous big harmonies in the chorus too. It's also a very calming song to enjoy, which I really needed this morning. Thank you.

@garlajoie 1d

Oh so nice. I love folk music (I wrote a nice one Winnipeg last week you might enjoy!). Overwhelm and meltdowns are one of my major issues as well, and there's nothing like a river, or the cover of old growth trees, to find yourself again. A beautiful lyric, strongly delivered.

@scubed 1d

Thank you so much!

@fabkebab 2d

Good song - I am not on the spectrum but I do feel that incredible restorative power of flowing water, and I think you have captured something universal in your lyric and performance. I especially like the little syncopated banjo - it makes me think of those little twigs and debris that get caught against something and kind of dangle/waver in the current before they get picked up for the continuation of their journey. Well done!

@scubed 1d

Thanks you so much! 😊

@alyxanderjames 2d

The instrumentation on this really captures the flow of the river. Beautiful work. And I also relate to the liner notes! Letting nature hold us in those moments is so healing.

@scubed 2d

Thank you so much!

@headfirstonlyMod 2d

Lovely! Reading your liner notes and I'm absolutely the same. I'm really relating to the lyrics, too; I have a lovely riverside walk that I've been taking for thirty years here. But now developers want to put 521 new houses there, even though it floods regularly. (sigh)

@scubed 2d

Thanks so much for the lovely comment! I hope you get to keep your river walk.

@sheslin 2d

Lovely guitar, banjo and violin I think? Love all the strings. Really pretty melody and vocals, very nice harmonies too. We feel the power of the river to heal through your beautiful song.

@scubed 2d

Thank you so much! Yes, there's a bit of clawhammer banjo and fiddle in the mix.