From the recording O River
The Internets say "anthem" means an uplifting song identified with a person, group or cause. "O River" is indeed about a particular person: my friend and Thomas S. Wootton classmate Neil Bernstein, lost in the Potomac River February 2023.
With great loss, one understandably seeks answers, and while one can (as the song does) ask The River what happened to Neil, so far its replies have been wordless. Which is to say these asks, like all prayers, are not necessarily unanswered.
Lyrics
One slip, was it your body or your mind?
One slip, fear or surprise?
O River, can you tell me why?
O River, why?
One slip, were you out there on the rocks?
One slip, was it where nobody walks?
O River, can you tell me why?
O River, why?
O River do you feel lonely?
Do you feel pain?
No you don’t worry where your life is going
And you don’t mind the rain
One slip, fare thee well my friend
One slip, now you’re home on dry land
O River, can you tell me why?
O River, why?
O River do you feel lonely?
Do you feel pain?
No you don’t worry where your life is going
And you don’t mind the rain
O River