Scared of losing all the time
He wrote it in a letter
He was a friend of mine
He heard you could see your future
Inside a glass of water
With ripples and the rhymes
He asked "Will I see heaven in mine?"

Oh that is just the way it was,
And nothing could be better,
And nothing ever was.
And they say you can see your future,
Inside a glass of water,
With riddles and the rhymes
But "will I see heaven in mine?"
Oh, oh, oh

Son, don't ask,
Neither how full nor empty is your glass,
Cling to the mast
Spend your whole life living in the past
Going nowhere fast

So he wrote it on a wall
The hollowest of halos
Is no halo at all
And Televisions selling plastic figurines of leaders
Saying nothing at all
And you chime
Stars in heaven align
Oh

Son, don't ask,
Neither how full nor empty is your glass,
Cling to the mast
Spend your whole life living in the past
Going nowhere fast

What are we drinking when we're done, just glasses of water.



Lyrics submitted by eighteesix, edited by Mellow_Harsher

Track duration: 04:45

"Glass of Water" as written by Christopher Anthony John Martin, Guy Rupert Berryman, Jonathan Mark Buckland, William Champion

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Glass of Water song meanings
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19 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:*Laugh* I always thought that the lines went like this:

    Son, don't ask,
    Is it half full, or empty?
    Is your glass clean?

    And then I ignored the other words that didn't fit, 'cause I'm like that. I think my version is more amusing, but I suppose the song isn't supposed to be amusing.
    I like it anyway, though.
    Thanks for posting the lyrics!
    Flag Gemini6on January 13, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:In an interview on Coldplay's website, frontman Chris Martin said that he felt the songs on Viva La Vida and the Prospekt's March EP are "all part of the same family." He added that because this song is, "a little heavier for example, we felt like, 'Let's put the album out and then if it does OK we'll put out those songs that we were maybe a little shy about putting out.'"
    Flag FloridaGuyon October 10, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:You don't have to buy the EP to get this song. You can download LeftRightLeftRightLeft for free off their website as a Thank You to their fans. Glass of Water is on there. Just saying. Also yes this is also my new favorite song of Coldplay's not only for the sound but for the amazing lyrics definately how I feel about that whole future theme that you guys got right. Can't wait to hear more from them.
    Flag skijornon December 10, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think it's about just living life in the "now". Don't worry about the future or the past, just focus on now, and you'll enjoy your life a lot more.
    Flag camerockon November 29, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I read a Chris Martin interview somewhere and he said he didnt include some of the songs, namely glass of water on the full length because it didn't fit the style they were trying to go for. Life in Techincolor I feel fit better as an intro/outro song but I also like it as a normal song. As for Glass of Water, I think the word he used was that it was to "flashy" or "sexy" not sure but something to that extent. Personally I feel this song could put down any one of the songs on Viva. I think his intentions were to make sure each song on Viva get the appropriate amount of listens....if they put this song i feel like i would have put it on repeat and not appreciate the rest of the CD. To some extent i did that with Viva la Vida (song), i believe Glass of Water could definately contest that song...It has a hint of old Coldplay, deep lyrics, that rolling piano in the background while still upholding their new faster pace...i wish they'd go back to their old style i miss it
    Flag Miiiiikeyyon May 27, 2009   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:Wow! This is a pretty cool song... But I do think there is one major misconception. If you are saved then you do know for sure that you are going to Heaven. If you sin and don't ask for forgivness of your sins and do not believe Jesus died for your sins then you won't go to heaven. I have been struggling for a long time with being afraid of dying because i wasn't sure that I would go to heaven. In Romans 10:9-10 it says if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and repent for your sins you will be saved and go to heaven. I believe strongly on scripture and I know that it is guiding me throughout my whole life. I personally think it is fine to have assurance from God that you will be saved and go to Heaven. Now I truly and wholeheartedly believe that I am going to Heaven when I die. It is good because I don't need to worry about my eternal life because it is already sealed.
    Flag huggsley16on March 18, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Love the piano rolls during the quiet section, and i like how they threw in the coda there instead of just the generic tonic crash ending, even if it does feel like a conscious decision to be different, like much of viva la vida was. i'm not knocking the album or the ep... really its better to consciously force yourself to be different than to subconsciously repeat the same style, albiet good style, of music that was on your last album.
    Flag thirsty_thursdayon March 18, 2009   Link
  • +2
    General Comment:Oh what are we drinking when we're done?
    Glasses of water

    That line gets me every time. He says no one can figure out the future, and by staying stuck in the past or worrying about your future you're letting your present life pass by.

    And stop being anxious and worrying about things, those "ripples" in the water have no meaning, doesn't predict your future...Its just a glass of water. What a way to put it.
    Flag maidenayaon March 01, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:ahhhh, i love this song.
    it speaks to me saying- just go with the flow.
    when the loud music plays during the "chorus" my heart skips a beat.
    i feel inspired when i hear it.
    Flag KTMUSiCon January 16, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think this song is about not being afraid of the future, not being afraid of the past, but just living in the present and making the best of life without worrying about everything. :) I love this song, it's one of my favorites.
    Flag tab9327on January 08, 2009   Link

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