“The River”: A Soulful Song of Peace, Love, and Belonging

Larry Karpenko’s single “The River” demonstrates masterful composition through its ability to balance straightforwardness with profound meaning. The peaceful Shenandoah River that ran alongside his boarding school becomes the muse for Larry’s deeply personal yet universal song. From its opening moment, the soft combination of harp and piano establishes a soothing atmosphere that helps listeners unwind and absorb the song’s message. “The River” expresses an essential human requirement for peace and a secure place. But it doesn’t stop there. The song’s meaning expands alongside its musical progression. The river sheds its physical form to become a spiritual and divine presence.

The chorus “the river that runs through my heart” creates a pathway to deeper emotional engagement. Larry describes God’s love as a powerful river that provides comfort and strength. Every new verse builds upon the previous one while inviting listeners to discover their personal sources of calm and introspection. The song stands out because of its evolutionary progression. The choir joins the song during its climax stage to deliver powerful emotional depth that resonates deeply. The transition to the well-known hymn “Shall We Gather at the River” delivers both an unexpected and gratifying moment. The song unites a contemporary theme with an age-old tune to merge traditional sounds with modern creativity.

Larry expresses gratitude to everyone who contributed to the development of the song especially Charles Reid and Adriana Perera. Their support along with their encouragement transformed the piece into a powerful musical experience. Larry recorded the piece at Kreation Records in California with members of his church choir participating. The song ended with a personal and emotional touch when he incorporated handbells played by his children. This song functions as a musical message that peace and love along with connection are eternally present when we choose to listen.

Follow Larry Karpenko on Spotify, Sound Cloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. Also Visit his Official Website