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"The Humbling River"
Album artwork:
C big
Artist: Puscifer
Album: "C" Is For (Enter Sophomoric Genitalia Reference Here)
Length: 5:05
Versions: The Humbling River,
The Humbling River (Nagual del Judith Mix),
The Humbling River (Duet mix)
Previous track:
Potions (Deliverance mix)
Next track:
The Humbling River (Nagual del Judith Mix) (from Sound into Blood into Wine)

The Humbling River is the sixth and final track on "C" Is For (Enter Sophomoric Genitalia Reference Here) .

It was also released as a "Duet Mix" on Sound into Blood into Wine, along with a new version named "Nagual del Judith Mix", named after a wine made by MJK's Caduceus Cellars.

The track was also used in the trailer for Transformers: Fall Of Cybertron.

Lyrics[]

Nature, Nurture, Heaven and Home.
Sum of all and by them driven
To conquer every mountain shown
But I’ve never crossed this river.

Braved the Forest, Braved the Stone.
Braved the Icy winds and Fire.
Braved and beat them on my own
Yet I'm helpless by this river

Angel, Angel, What have I done?
I’ve faced the quakes, the wind, the fire
I’ve conquered country, crown, n throne
Why can’t I cross this River?

Pay no mind to the battles you've won
It’ll take a lot more than rage and muscle
Open your heart and hands, my son.
Or You’ll never make it over the river

It'll take a lot more than the words and guns
A whole lot more than riches and muscle
the hands of the many must join as one
And together we'll cross the river

Duet Mix[]

The Duet Mix appears on Sound into Blood into Wine. It has slightly different mixing:

  • Most instruments are generally louder in the mix (eg. the shaker that starts at 0:22).
  • Drums are quieter.
  • There are additional guitar parts (eg. at 3:10).
  • In the outro, the drums have been replaced with a guitar (eg. at 4:15).
  • In the outro, MJK's vocal are layered with Carina Round's.

The overall volume is also increased. Inspecting the wave forms show the use of dynamic range compression, which increases the volume of quieter elements while reducing the overall dynamic range. This is a common technique in the Loudness war, but was likely done to match the volume of the other tracks on the release.

Top: Duet Mix -- Bottom: Original mix

Reviews[]

IGN mentioned the track in their review of C is for...:

[T]he EP's standout track has to be "The Humbling River." The track is marked by guitar picking, female harmonization, and a slow building rhythm section that is best summarized with one word: thunderous. The message of "The Humbling River" is a timeless one – peace, harmony, and the warm and fuzzy feelings associated therein – but in a somber tone that only Keenan can deliver.

Credits[]

  • The Humbling River (M.Keenan, M. Mitchell, T. Alexander)
  • Vocals - Maynard James Keenan
  • Additional Vocals - Carina Round & Devo Keenan
  • Drums - Tim Alexander
  • Cello - Devo Keenan
  • Guitar - Mat Mitchell
  • Mandolin - Jonny Polonsky
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