The Right Thing To Do

The speaker expresses steady, confident love for someone despite his difficult past and the possibility that others might discourage the relationship. The repeated idea that loving him is “the right thing to do” makes love sound like both a heartfelt choice and a source of certainty. The mood is affectionate and reassuring, though the later mention of distance adds a note of longing.

The “river” that once flowed to the speaker’s door may suggest a former life of freedom or plentiful romantic opportunities; now that it no longer stops there, love seems more focused and settled. Comparing the beloved’s hands to a “bunch of flowers” turns physical closeness into an image of tenderness and care. “Ten thousand miles away” is likely an expressive way to emphasize great distance, not a precise measurement.

The lyrics leave some details open. The speaker’s confidence may be a sincere promise, especially in the face of the beloved’s past relationships and present absence. At the same time, repeating that love is the “right thing” could sound like the speaker is reassuring themself as much as their partner. The song does not explain why the couple is apart or whether their relationship is easy; it emphasizes the speaker’s commitment rather than the circumstances.