Bruce Springsteen - Meeting Across The River Lyrics






Hey, Eddie, can you lend me a few bucks
And tonight can you get us a ride
Gotta make it through the tunnel
Got a meeting with a man on the other side

Hey Eddie, this guy, he's the real thing
So if you want to come along
You gotta promise you won't say anything
'Cause this guy don't dance
And the word's been passed this is our last chance

We gotta stay cool tonight, Eddie
'Cause man, we got ourselves out on that line
And if we blow this one
They ain't gonna be looking for just me this time

And all we gotta do is hold up our end
Here stuff this in your pocket
It'll look like you're carrying a friend
And remember, just don't smile
Change your shirt, 'cause tonight we got style

Well Cherry says she's gonna walk
'Cause she found out I took her radio and hocked it
But Eddie, man, she don't understand
That two grand's practically sitting here in my pocket

And tonight's gonna be everything that I said
And when I walk through that door
I'm just gonna throw that money on the bed
She'll see this time I wasn't just talking
Then I'm gonna go out walking

Hey Eddie, can you catch us a ride ?





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Bruce Springsteen Meeting Across The River Comments
  1. B.... H....

    Always a little haunting,but a favorite.

  2. J.... W....

    Piano man just pointed me here

  3. J.... W....

    A true gem

  4. J.... W....

    A true gem

  5. D.... ....

    I love this song, but dear YouTube, I was reading the comments and you fuck it up with your ads. Fuck off, seriously!!!!!! I hope there is another video server that isn’t interested in making a zillion dollars per month. I’ll be the first to sign up, you sluts.

  6. B.... B....

    Billy Joel was a guest on Jimmy Kimmel in NY with Paul Shafer last year.Billy asked about this song, Paul didn't know it, REALLY? Contractual laws , I suppose?

  7. g.... d....

    It’s very similar to thunder road: a twin song of that

  8. C.... S....

    My college roommate was from New Jersey. In Memphis, oddly enough. He had all three of Springsteen's albums in 1977. I discovered him through this album. My whole life was directed by this piece.

  9. I.... F....

    Meeting Across The River
    Hey, Eddie, can you lend me a few bucks
    And tonight can you get us a ride
    Gotta make it through the tunnel
    Got a meeting with a man on the other side


    Hey Eddie, this guy, he's the real thing
    So if you want to come along
    You gotta promise you won't say anything
    'Cause this guy don't dance
    And the word's been passed this is our last chance


    We gotta stay cool tonight, Eddie
    'Cause man, we got ourselves out on that line
    And if we blow this one
    They ain't gonna be looking for just me this time


    And all we gotta do is hold up our end
    Here stuff this in your pocket
    It'll look like you're carrying a friend
    And remember, just don't smile
    Change your shirt, 'cause tonight we got style


    Well Cherry says she's gonna walk
    'Cause she found out I took her radio and hocked it
    But Eddie, man, she don't understand
    That two grand's practically sitting here in my pocket


    And tonight's gonna be everything that I said
    And when I walk through that door
    I'm just gonna throw that money on the bed
    She'll see this time I wasn't just talking
    Then I'm gonna go out walking


    Hey Eddie, can you catch us a ride ?

  10. D.... R....

    My favorite song by Bruce.
    Happy birthday, Brother 🎉

  11. A.... A....

    My fav rain song .. when I can only watch the raindrops from my window.

  12. B.... B....

    Awesome!Beautifulll! Even Billy Joel praised it. Wouldn't that be an amazing collaboration?

  13. J.... B....

    "Atlantic City" is basically a remake of this song. I like the original better. What do you think?

  14. M.... P....

    my fav song when it used to get dark and rain...just staring out at the sea and doing nothing.....

  15. M.... P....

    Takes me back to the time when we were kings.....(goosebumps)

  16. M.... S....

    Closing my eyes... winter 81 • back at EMU • in Pittman • on the hill. No song can teleport me more completely than this gem.

  17. K.... M....

    I've been carrying this friend since my high school days in the 70s. Thanks Bruce for telling a story in 3 minutes that lasts a lifetime.

  18. J.... P....

    Set a table, me and my buddy Eddie how He Loves loved to smoke, and we play backgammon ,Circa January 1976, this song Still haunts me, don't know what happened to him!

  19. v.... ....

    Roy Bittan sets the stage here with the greatest keyboards relating to song I have ever heard of. Words, rythm, keyboards, the haunting trumpet, totally Eastern Shore Sounds.

  20. S.... B....

    This is a song that points to Bruce's brilliance. Here we have probably his signature album with only 8 songs on the entire album, this one stands out because it's more jazz than rock and it's a somber tune in the middle of an album full of rock tunes.

  21. j.... c....

    Brings back old times. Summer streets.Old friends. Love this song.

  22. C.... O....

    I have always felt that the singer of the song is the "magic rat" from Jungleland that immediately follows on the album. Springsteen has said that starting with the Born to Run, that each album told a specific story in the time of life of the people he knew and of himself. The order of the songs was very specific to him.
    There are about 20 - 25 characters on Born to Run and the Magic rat is one of those Springsteen character voices that tried to get out but could not escape his fate.

    C.... O....

    I get where you're coming from but this guy isn't as grandiose as Magic Rat. Rat is a gang leader and he didn't need a ride because he had his sleek machine. The character in this song is a low level hood, kind of think of Pumpkin in Pulp Fiction, who never really made anything of himself but is looking for a big payoff, finally($2K in 1975 was serious money). Apparently he's meeting someone who is going to reward him for doing a job that has already been done or is going to do. Either way, he's not the Rat.

  23. B.... ....

    Gorgeous and laidback tune!

  24. Z.... C....

    I love that lonely sounding trumpet

  25. P.... S....

    This is my favorite song by Bruce; lyrically right out of the Steven Sondheim Universe... Pulling trumpeter Randy Brecker into the session was sheer producing genius, topped-off with placing him in the "back of the alley" in the mix.
    >>>>Why does everything have to be so LOUD?  Why oh why can't we have more recording dynamics like that heard in this gem? This is heartfelt, textbook stuff on so many levels.
    >>>>"There's a place for us"

  26. D.... S....

    then im gonna go out walkin sometimes you just need this all by its self

  27. k.... ....

    when I was a kid, i hated this song. I thought it threw the whole pace of the album off. Now, as an adult, it's my favorite song on the album. It tranitions perfectly into Jungleland.

  28. D.... ....

    This guy don't dance

  29. C.... L....

    One of his BEST EVER!! Chills still 42 years later... True Art!!!!

  30. K.... S....

    One of my dearest of Bruce. Perhaps The dearest.

  31. A.... L....

    fantastic song - Bruce was 26 when this album came out i believe... incredible.

  32. D.... S....

    who lived this? come on, where are you now?

  33. A.... B....

    I always liked that this song was simple insturmentally, but lyrically was complex, Kinda rare for a Springsteen song.

  34. K.... D....

    Playing this slowed down to 50% is really nice

  35. R.... ....

    I made a music video for this if y'all don't mind checking it out!

    R.... ....

    Bruce Springsteen video of the song meeting across the river

  36. B.... H....

    I can’t believe I’m listening to Billy Joel’s favorite Springsteen song ahhhhh

  37. D.... T....

    saw Bruce 75 Miami horns with him this was the show

  38. P.... A....

    My favourite!! Such a storyteller.... Love it.

  39. m.... ....

    I picture each of them under their own spotlight, (Bruce, Randy Brecker-trumpet, and Roy Bittan-piano) like individual street lights, and with a mist rolling in........love it. :)

  40. f.... l....

    beautiful genius

  41. M.... ....

    Who knew that Billy Joel and I have the same favorite Springsteen song! Favorite line: "Remember just don't smile." Sage advice.

  42. L.... G....

    yah, i looked it up after watching joel on kimmal too.

  43. J.... H....

    The Piano Man sent me here

    J.... H....

    same here....I have this album buried away..haven't played it in years....and didn't recognize the title when Billy Joel mentioned it....wow.. great track.

    J.... H....

    Me too :)

    J.... H....

    I saw that too but I've been here since the 70's

  44. D.... B....

    Along with "Kitty's Back" and "Spirit in the Night", one of his most underrated. I love the 70s.

  45. B.... W....

    Y'all gotta remember Bruce is from New Jersey! He a real cat! I seen the real go down! This could have been a blues song or rap song!

  46. T.... H....

    These poor guys are dead, but they don't know it.

  47. T.... B....

    I always listen to this one first.

  48. E.... S....

    "Here stuff this in your pocket, it'll look like you're carrying a friend"...
    "change your shirt, cuz tonight we got style"
    favourite bruce lines

    E.... S....

    Evan Santos I can almost see the two small time crooks on a dark rainy night hoping they dont screw up again,"because the words been passed this is our last chance" so evocative.

  49. b.... ....

    The human condition.

  50. b.... ....

    This portrait of the human condition is just one of the many examples why Bruce will be a part of world history forever more.

  51. M.... S....

    ok. its about 2 kids cleaning bricks on Salford docks

  52. D.... L....

    More than words !

  53. G.... P....

    This is a genius at work folks.

  54. p.... ....

    His best song. Haunting trumpet.

  55. D.... R....

    My favorite Springsteen song. So many good lines. "here stuff this in your pocket, it'll look like you're carrying a friend" and "and when I walk through that door I'm just gonna throw that money on the bed"

    D.... R....

    Yeah. Good lines.

    D.... R....

    David Renton It's my ultimate Bruce song. Most of his stuff is excellent but this just stands out a bit more than the others for me. He is a legend

  56. a.... ....

    Upon first listening to the entire album in 1975, this was the song I played over and over thereafter.  I never understood why it wasn't included on Springsteen's early "best of" album. Also shocked that David Chase never used it in an episode of "The Sopranos." Cool thing, though, is that it's Billy Joel's favorite song by The Boss.

  57. �.... ....

    抒情的で、絵に浮かぶような曲ですね。日本語でのでのタイトルは、「川向うでの会見」だったと思います。

  58. d.... ....

    I love this song because I know so many like them!

  59. w.... ....

    Bruce at his best. My favorite song of his.

    w.... ....

    Mine too

    w.... ....

    I know I agree I love this song..it could definitely be used for a gangster film..One of his all time best albums!!

  60. R.... M....

    one of his most underrated songs. It should be made into a movie. I could so see the young Harvey Keitel and Robert De Niro as the leads.

    R.... M....

    I can see it too, Robert! :)

    R.... M....

    And Scorsese behind the lens 😉

    R.... M....

    Adrian Jae If The Irishman is anything to go by, we could still see young Deniro in the film

    R.... M....

    jammiedodger And rather aptly DeNiro plays the lead role , aptly because in actuality he has far more Irish blood in his veins than Italian ☘️

  61. D.... S....

    Mike Sieger thats' a good point but sometimes when you're alone on a Sunday morning this is all you need.

  62. C.... S....

    An underrated masterpiece, still haunting after all these years.

    C.... S....

    Totally agree

    C.... S....

    Yes , an absolute musical and lyrical masterpiece . His finest . And what a Tour it was . Great memories of a young and hungry band .

  63. M.... S....

    One does not simply listen to this song without listening to Jungleland right after

    M.... S....

    Mike Sieger 100% a fact.

    M.... S....

    They both are part of the same story.

    M.... S....

    Mike Sieger I so loved Springsteen back when he had stories to tell many of which I reckon were partly influenced by observations and experiences from his NY/NJ taxi driver days which are reflected mainly in his first 4 albums with the E Street Band at their peak.
    I bought Nebraska on its release and returned it to the shop the same day ( perhaps i should give it another listen 40 years on) . Born in the USA was a nail in the coffin for me and it’s jingoistic overtones however all the aforementioned are purely my personal opinions .
    As for Meeting Across The River - so sublime and atmospheric, the imagery is almost film noir - a broke luckless NJ hustler trying to raise the cab fare to NYC and it’s left to our imagination as to the outcome ( did it work out for him ? was he the Magic Rat in his customised automobile ?)

    M.... S....

    @Adrian Jae Bruce was never at any time in his life a taxi driver! Not in NYC or anywhere else!

    M.... S....

    Danny Mayo Pmsl - I’ve had an image n my head since 1978 that he previously was - it was most likely a misinterpretation of something i would’ve read in the NME at the time but thank you for the info 👍

  64. P.... M....

    "Change yer shirt...cuz tonight we got style..."

  65. R.... ....

    True crime

  66. R.... ....

    True Cime.

  67. m.... g....

    Does anybody know any other similar songs to this that are non Bruce. Springsteen is my favourite artist and I want to find someone just like him.

    m.... g....

    +Maxwell Weaver This is a pretty unique song, but Joe Ely has some stuff like Gotta Find Ol' Joe that is similar. And Los Lobos have Kiko and the Lavender Moon. Slightly jazzy mixed with rock.

    m.... g....

    There's this guy called Sinatra you could check out

    m.... g....

    There IS no one else like Bruce..lol.
    But ppl like Jim Croce and Gordon Lightfoot are great story tellers.

  68. H.... M....

    Bruce's voice is almost a whisper in parts of this beautiful song.

  69. H.... M....

    Bruce's voice is almost a whisper in parts of this beautiful song.

  70. D.... C....

    1 person's radio got hocked by Springsteen.

    D.... C....

    It's 20 now. Bruce has been busy 😆

  71. C.... S....

    was there a music video made on this one?

    C.... S....

    @Craig Schade Heh...this is a little bit before that time.

  72. M.... ....

    Bye bye man, bye bye...

    M.... ....

    @Tuvia Inderdaad !

  73. h.... ....

    Hey it's a fucking song about dealing drugs.  How cool is that?

    h.... ....

    +huh2272 Probably drugs - definitely contraband of some sort.

  74. S.... M....

    Epic. A cinematic masterpiece.

  75. A.... E....

    This is DAMN beautiful!!!!

  76. S.... -....

    I really love this. The haunting distant trumpet, and the breathy, pausy, almost-conversational way he sings it. 

    Is it just me, or does anyone else think that this is a bit reminiscent of Hugh Jackman's singing in Les Mise'rables? Except it's better singing, obviously...

    S.... -....

    Piano, Trumpet and the Boss. Pretty cool right. And a great story.

    S.... -....

    @Sophie -Grace hi Sophie i like your comments " The haunting distant trumpet,"

    S.... -....

    @Sophie -Grace I will have to listen to Jackman in Le Mes. But I am not sure it's obvious that Springsteen is a better singer than Jackman or than anyone, really. Springsteen's strength is in his writing, his powerful turn of phrase and characterizations of imperfect people in word and in musical arrangement too. He sets a mood and tone but his voice is nothing great.

  77. A.... B....

    Perfect song!!

  78. t.... ....

    Happy birthday,Bruce.I remember when you were one of us.

  79. K.... G....

    The arrangement on this song is simply outstanding.

    K.... G....

    +Kurt Gernett Right. And, it's a really underrated song.

  80. m.... ....

    Randy Brecker on trumpet here, makes this song. Two amazing artists here. This entire album is a masterpiece.

    m.... ....

    Don't forget Roy Bittan on piano.

    m.... ....

    midlifemikey
    Absolutely.
    This is Bruce in top form. Simple but incredibly powerful vocals over a piano and a horn. A masterpiece.

  81. c.... ....

    Of Mice and Men.

  82. e.... d....

    framing houses with my dad back in the 80's......

  83. H.... P....

    pffff....

  84. M.... S....

    The great Richard Davis on the upright bass.

  85. L.... F....

    I just found this fine song fitting so well as an aftermath for a brilliant conversation with an old mate. I did not want to hear those quotes to drug dealing, Just herd that atmosphere and long distance horn in it. Sorry my bad eng.

  86. p.... ....

    Just walking today and remembered this song, just had to hear it. BEAUTIFUL!

  87. W.... B....

    memories of  walking  on   West St  and  Bleeker  in Manhattan  listening to this

  88. r.... ....

    "Word been passed this is our last chance." Bruce is a lyrical genius..so many beautifully written songs.

  89. e.... ....

    for me his best,but so much more to savour

  90. J.... ....

    I would Bruce on the radio in the early to mid 70's thought that he would be another 1 hit wonder. In 78' I had an admin assistant named Sue Kusnic, she adored his music... I finally gave it a listed & I was blown away, especially when I heard this song. Been a fan ever since he is our modern day "Dylan".
    This song shows feeling, heart, & sensitivity coming from deep within & sing it like you were there with "Eddie". Sue K. from NJ, wherever you are Thank you.
    Thanks for the Post

    J.... ....

    Looks like you needed a secretary more than an admin assistant. 8-)

    J.... ....

    @Henry Moon Your right ... ; ) 

  91. p.... ....

    This on one of my favorites. Thanks for posting!

  92. L.... B....

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRUCE!

  93. L.... B....

    Such a beautiful song...and being from Jersey it's a little sweeter for me. :)

    L.... B....

    Same here, Lola. :)

    L.... B....

    Me too. I miss Jersey

  94. R.... ....

    straordinario pezzo, tra Miles davis e Keith jarrett

  95. J.... B....

    Love how songs used to paint a story for you.

  96. N.... ....

    Wow--I forgot all about this song. Amazing--the whole album is brilliant. Music was so real back then.

  97. g.... ....

    Its like the pre-credit sequence of a Tarantino movie - and you just KNOW that as soon as the credits have rolled they are going to end up messily dead.

    Great song.

  98. M.... ....

    Great track from Bruce's Best Album.