Two Rivers is a song written by Mike Peters for The Alarm which was first released on the Viral Black album on 22nd September 2017. A reworked studio version was released on the Where the Two Rivers Meet EP and the album Equals in 2018. The song was also released as a promo CD single in conjunction with the Equals album including an edited version and an instrumental version. The album version was also released on the other promo CD single from Equals, namely Beautiful. An alternate version called Two rivers (reprise) was released on the Sigma album in 2019.
For the 24 hour Record Store Day world tour in 2018, eight one-sided 7″ singles each featuring a unique acoustic version of Two rivers were created, and used as a lottery prize at each of the record store appearances Mike Peters made on the day
2017 Bethel Chapel Studios/ Parr Street Studio A recording
Running length 4:50
Written by Mike Peters
Musician & Credits
Mike Peters – Vocals, Harmonica, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, E-bow, Electro Harmonix Mel9
Steve “Smiley” Barnard – Drums, Percussion, Backing vocals
James Stevenson – Electric & Bass Guitars, Backing vocals
Jules Jones Peters – Piano, Backing vocals
George Williams – Keyboards, Bass Guitar
Recorded at Bethel Chapel Studios, Dyseth, Wales and Parr Street Studio A, Liverpool, England
Produced and mixed by George Williams
Engineered by Tony Draper and Mark Warden
Mastered by Sean Magee at Abbey Road Studio, London NW8, England
Alternative studio / session / podcast recordings
2017 Parr Studios Liverpool, Vans Warped Tour recording
EP and Equals Reqoreked version (TBC)
Running length 5:05
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Vocals, Harmonica, Baritone, Acoustic & Electric guitars
Steve “Smiley” Barnard – Drums, Percussion, Backing vocals
James Stevenson – Acoustic, Electric, Slide & Bass Guitars, Backing vocals
Jules Jones Peters – Piano, Backing vocals
George Williams – Keyboards, Bass guitar
Recorded at Bethel Chapel Studio, Dyseth, Wales, Parr Street studios A and C, Liverpool, England, The Doghouse studios, Henley-on-Thames, England and Monnow Valley, Wales
Produced and mixed by George Williams
Engineered by Mark Warden (Bethel Chapel and The Doghouse), Tony Draper (Parr Street) and Matt Glasbey (Monnow Valley)
Single edit – released on the Two rivers promo CD single (2018)
Running length 3:38.
Instrumental version – released on the Two rivers promo CD single (2018)
Running length 5:05.
Viral Black in session acoustic version (2017) released on Viral black in session cd (catalogue number 21C092). Running time 2:48.
(v) 10th June 2017. The Alarm – Vans Warped Tour Medley [1982-2017]
Running length 4:15
Musicians & Credits
Mike Peters – Lead Vocals, Electo-Acoustic Guitar
James Stevenson – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Steve “Smiley” Barnard – Drums, Backing Vocals
J.J. Haggar – Backing Vocals, Handclaps
Lucas Labrow – Backing Vocals, Handclaps
Andy Labrow – Backing Vocals, Handclaps
Produced by Mike Peters
Engineered and mixed by Tony Draper
Album appearances and discography of studio recordings
All the following are Worldwide releases except where stated
Viral Black version: 2017 – Viral Black (catalogue number 21C089 (CD),
21C089LP (vinyl)
Equals version: 2018 – Equals (catalogue number 21C100 (red vinyl and black vinyl),
21C101 (CD)
Viral Black in session acoustic version (2017) released on Viral black in session cd (catalogue number 21C092). Running time 2:48.
(v) 25th February 2021 : The Alarm – Vans Warped Tour Medley [1982-2017]
Released on CD by The Twenty First Century Recording Company, catalogue number 21C127
2017 Parr Studios Liverpool, Vans Warped Tour recording
Single Appearances and discography
Album version released on Where the two rivers meet EP (vinyl only, 2018), catalogue number 21C099.
Album version, single edit and instrumental version released on Two rivers promo cd single (2018).
Album version released on the Beautiful promo cd single (2018)
Eight one-sided 7″ singles featuring an acoustic versio of Two rivers (2018).
Officially released live recordings – Audio
2017 – Mike Peters solo live version recorded at The Gathering 2017. Released on Live at The Gathering 10″ vinyl EP (catalogue number 21C090). Running time 6:18.
10 October 2018 – Mike Peters solo live version recorded for National Album Day 2018 at Parr Street Studios, Liverpool, England. Released on Mike Peters in session 2018 CD (catalogue number 21C106). Running time 4:22.
Lyrics
Love and hate unites us
All sides of the war
Fighters and lovers
Divide and fall
Now that I’ve found you
You found me
Together we can
Tear down the walls of the barricade
Blood brothers once our paths are crossed
The testament divides and unites us all
Until we meet again
This flame will keep on burning
We can wash away all our sins
Wipe the blood from our hands
In the water
The cool, cool water
We can wipe the slate clean
Where the two rivers meet
Carpe diem, my friend
I know you all so well
No one dies in a courtroom
Only the judge can dance
We were closer than enemies
Now adversary
I tell you this for nothing
If I don’t see you in heaven
I’ll see you in hell
I’ll be there in the blood red vinyl black
There when tomorrow becomes today
I’ll be there when you think it’s all over now
Safe to get back out on the street
Oh, are you with me?
Woah oh oh, or against me?
We can wash away all our sins
Wipe the blood from our hands
In the water
The cool, cool water
We can wipe the slate clean
Where the two rivers meet
I’ll be waiting
Beside the water
I’ll be there
When you come
We can wash away all our sins
Wipe the blood from our hands
In the water
The cool, cool water
We can wipe the slate clean
Where the two rivers meet
(to verify for Viral black version)
Love and hate unites us
All sides of the war
Fighters and lovers
Divide and fall
Now that I’ve found you
You found me
Together we can
Tear down the walls of the barricade
We were blood brothers once our paths are crossed
The testament divides and unites us all
One day we’ll meet again
With this fire I’ve got still burning
Oh are you with me
Woah oh oh, or against me
We can wash away all our sins
Wipe the blood from our hands
In the water
The cool, cool water
We can wipe the slate clean
Where the two rivers meet
Carpe diem, my friends
I know you all so well
Outside of the courtroom
We man our own defence
Friends become enemies
Enemies are friends
I’ll tell you this for nothing
If I don’t see you in heaven
Then I’ll see you in hell
I’ll be there in the blood red vinyl black
I’ll be there when tomorrow becomes today
I’ll be there when you think it’s all over now
Safe to get back out on the street
Oh, are you with me?
Woah oh oh, or against me?
We can wash away all our sins
Wipe the blood from our hands
In the water
The cool, cool water
We can wipe the slate clean
Where the two rivers meet
Where the two rivers meet
We can wipe the slate clean
Woah oh oh
Woah oh oh
Where the two rivers meet
Woah oh oh
Woah oh oh
I’ll be there
Woah oh oh
Woah oh oh
Where the two rivers meet
Woah oh oh
Woah oh oh
I’ll meet you on the other side
Where the two rivers meet
~
(Written by Mike Peters)
(Page updated 07/11/2026)