Dave Matthews Band – Don't Drink the Water

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  General Comment:This song is about how the Natives were squatting on the White people's land before they got there, and the blood that was spilled while they were evicting the squatters. It's very politically charged, nobody likes a squatter.

  Flagged BrianPeepon March 11, 2013   Link

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  My Opinion:The song criticizes the whites for throwing out the Red Indians (real owners of the land) out by force. will be a good idea to use the song as background music during your thanksgiving meals.

  Flag Nazirron November 22, 2012   Link

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  My Interpretation:To me, I've always thought this song in the point of view of a ghost dealing with living people moving into it's house.

  Flag jaw4everon October 23, 2012   Link

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  Memory:you guys are all dumb. you dont even know.

  Flag mdeezyon March 10, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:youtube.com/…
  
  here dave talks about his inspiration being america =D

  Flag limedazzleon February 25, 2010   Link

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    Yep, and specifically the American Indians: youtube.com/….
    
    It's also clearly explained the same way Dave does at DMB Almanac.

    Flag Diakoniaon February 19, 2011  
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  General Comment:Although it can apply to many things and symbolize many things I have to say that I always think of it as a Native American song in particular.
  
  Especially during live versions when he throws in:
  
  "This land is your land, this land is my land
  From California, to the New York Island
  From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters"
  
  near the end. I have heard this a couple times and particularly that I can recall during the live Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds show. And this song is partial to America.
  
  
  On another note, blood in the water is just a phrase for people being killed over something like blood diamonds. Blood on your hands. I think it the phrase "blood in the water" is the simplest way to say something much more meaningful.
  

  Flag limedazzleon February 25, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:i love the central park version of this song! by the way, anybody have any idea just what the heck he's singing about at the very end of that version?
  
  here's a video for ya! youtube.com/…
  he starts at about 6:10

  Flag ChahLeaon November 28, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:This song is about when the colonists came to america and started pushing the Indian's off their land. People were told not to drink the water from streams because there could be blood in it from all the fighting going on.

  Flagged historydegree554563on October 15, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:I think this song is about the absolute worst kind of diarrhea. And, he's singing it to the respective poo in the toilet.

  Flag nottoobrighton September 02, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:Totally off the wall comment. That makes sense about the colonists and that is I think what it is about. I took a whole new meaning from this song. I pictured the movie "Prince of Egypt", Moses's story. I figured the song was coming from the two brothers fighting after Moses had come back and told his brother the Pharoah what his plans were. Here are some of the reasons why, don't drink the water because Moses turned the water into blood,
  "Now as I rest my feet by this fire
  Those hands once warmed here
  I have retired them
  I can breathe my own air
  I can sleep more soundly
  Upon these poor souls
  I'll build heaven and call it home"
  
  I took that part as Moses talking to God as the burning bush and talking about the slaves as "poor souls"
  
  The whole section before that is the two brothers fighting about the land and people. Let me know your thoughts on this take of it because I was seriously thinking about making a little music video with video clips from the movie and this song as well.

  Flag rmb831on April 30, 2009   Link

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