Sarah Darling is sharing her take on Joni Mitchell’s famous 1971 song “River” this holiday season with a new acoustic version debuting exclusively on Taste of Country.
Dressed in a winter white sweater as Christmas lights shine in the background, Darling’s smoky vocals impress alongside light acoustic guitar accompaniment. In the three-minute stripped-down track, Darling also allows Mitchell’s heartfelt lyrics to shine.
“It’s coming on Christmas / They’re cutting down trees / They’re putting up reindeer / And singing songs of joy and peace / Oh I wish I had a river / I could skate away on,” Darling sings delicately.
The song turns more heartbreaking as Darling later reveals that she made her lover cry: “I’m so hard to handle / I’m selfish and I’m sad / Now I’ve gone and lost the best baby / That I ever had,” she croons.
“River” was featured on Mitchell’s 1971 album Blue. While it was never released as a single, it has become one of her most recorded songs — more than 400 recordings have been made since Mitchell released her original. While it’s not necessarily a Christmas song, it is frequently played around the holidays.
“River” is featured on Darling’s latest Christmas EP, Winter Wonderland. Released earlier this year, Winter Wonderland includes eight holiday standards reinterpreted by Darling, including “Santa Baby,” “White Christmas” and “Silent Night.” In addition to getting into the holiday spirit with new music, Darling will make a special appearance on the Grand Ole Opry on Dec. 16.
“I’ve been dreaming of an @opry #Christmas. I guess dreams do come true,” she recently shared on Twitter.
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