In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Standing knee-deep in cold water, swiftly moving
Somehow I knew I lost something
Waiting waist-deep I saw a book there, in the river
Waiting for me to find it there
I tried to read it, neck deep, treading water
The tide pulled me out to sea
Then with water in my eyes
The words began to rise from their place
They were beautiful and dread
I reached for them and fed on each phrase
They were honey on my lips
Then a bitter twist in my side
I knew they'd lay me in my grave
"Is there no one who could save me?" I cried
Sinking down deep through cold water and heavy silence
Shadows stirring in the gloom
What things lay sleeping down deep in the darkness?
Woke then to find me in my tomb
Then with water in my eyes
The words began to rise from their place
They were beautiful and dread
I reached for them and fed on each phrase
They were honey on my lips
Then a bitter twist in my side
I knew they'd lay me in my grave
"Is there no one who could save me?" I cried
And when I lost all hope to look
Someone took that heavy book from my hands
All it's weight they set aside
After they had satisfied it's demands
I felt white and black reverse
And the lifting of a curse from my heart
Then like one receiving sight
I beheld a brilliant light in the dark
Somehow I knew I lost something
Waiting waist-deep I saw a book there, in the river
Waiting for me to find it there
I tried to read it, neck deep, treading water
The tide pulled me out to sea
Then with water in my eyes
The words began to rise from their place
They were beautiful and dread
I reached for them and fed on each phrase
They were honey on my lips
Then a bitter twist in my side
I knew they'd lay me in my grave
"Is there no one who could save me?" I cried
Sinking down deep through cold water and heavy silence
Shadows stirring in the gloom
What things lay sleeping down deep in the darkness?
Woke then to find me in my tomb
Then with water in my eyes
The words began to rise from their place
They were beautiful and dread
I reached for them and fed on each phrase
They were honey on my lips
Then a bitter twist in my side
I knew they'd lay me in my grave
"Is there no one who could save me?" I cried
And when I lost all hope to look
Someone took that heavy book from my hands
All it's weight they set aside
After they had satisfied it's demands
I felt white and black reverse
And the lifting of a curse from my heart
Then like one receiving sight
I beheld a brilliant light in the dark
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Thursday
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Lord Huron
Lord Huron
This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
I think it's "wading waist deep, I saw a book there in the river", not "waiting..." but it's no big deal.
I think the book referenced in the song is the book of Law in the bible. The more he tries to keep the law by himself, he sinks deeper in the water, until finally Christ pulls him up and saves him by perfectly keeping the law, something that he (the speaker) couldn't do by himself: "someone took that heavy book from my hands/all its weight they set aside/after they had satisfied its demands"
I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or genuine. But, yes, that's precisely what I believe it means.
I think you are exactly right. This is my favorite song on the whole album!
Awesome song. playitloud, do you have a scripture reference to this? I am in no way questioning, just want to read it! Thanks!
@jcanfield There's no reference in scripture to this exact metaphor of being pulled out of the water, but basically Romans as a whole alludes to this. The basic idea being that we were given the law and told to keep it, but we couldn't and we sinned against God in doing so. Therefore we were "sinking" with this heavy book because we couldn't satisfy its demands. Then Christ comes in and keeps the law perfectly and lives a perfect life, satisfying the demands of the law, something that we couldn't do on our own. We were cursed, but through his death, the curse was lifted ("and the lifting of a curse from my heart")...
I believe the water holds more of a significance here. He starts in the water knee deep. Eventually he is submerged. After Christ takes the book, the weight is lifted and his head is back above water. Sounds a lot like a baptism to me, which would satisfy the rationale of Christ saving him. No doubt you were on the right track though. Regardless, beautiful lyrics. Dustin never fails to move me. Between this song and "The Great Exchange," simply gifted writing.
Nice interpretation. I was trying to figure out which book he was referencing too as it said:<br /> <br /> "They were beautiful and dread, I reached for them and fed on each phrase. They were honey on my lips, then a bitter twist in my side".<br /> <br /> It makes sense, the way the law was made, intended for God and His people to become one again through the work of the law. But like you said, the more he tries to do it he realizes that he will die as in:<br /> <br /> "I knew they'd lay me in my grave 'Is there no one who could save me?' I cried"<br /> <br /> Then Christ comes and takes the weight of the law off of him and now see's in the darkness. What was once impossible for man alone is now possible through Christ's righteousness that was given to us through the cross. This song is seriously deep, the more I read the lyrics the more I realize that my works alone will lead me to the grave, and that only Christ's work which satisfied God's wrath will allow me to enter eternity. Grace....it's all grace.<br /> <br /> Thanks for the translation!
@jcanfield<br /> "They were honey on my lips..."<br /> How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! -Psalm 119:103<br /> <br /> "Bitter twist in my side..."<br /> I though that this had something to do with Paul's reference to a thorn in his side (2 Corinth. 12:7), but it's not. <br /> <br /> "The word began to rise from their place..."<br /> The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. -John 6:63<br /> <br /> "I knew they'd lay me in my grave<br /> 'Is there no one who could save me?' I cried"<br /> The letter kills but the Spirit gives life. -2 Corinthians 3:6<br /> <br /> Lol basically...they're doctrinally sound...which is why their music not only ministers to me but also convicts me (e.g. Promises, Yellow Belly). Had me on my knee's repenting. I think this is the depth and tone of music Jesus would listen to...theologically accurate truths conveyed through raw dysphemism artistry.
"I knew they'd lay me in my grave...Is there no one who can save me?" could also allude to Romans 7, "What wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?"<br /> <br /> Romans 7 also speaks of the entrapment that comes with a reliance on the word of the law, rather than a reliance on the Giver of the Law. This is a theme Thrice has visited on several occasions, At The Last being one of the most prominent.<br /> <br />
I think that the lyrics refer to passages from Ezekiel 3 and Revelations 10:
Rev 10 - 8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” 9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but ‘in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.’” 10 I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. 11 Then I was told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.”
Similar imagery in the ezekiel passage about being given a prophesy in the form of a scroll, which tastes like honey when eaten. I think in this context the words and the book are a metaphor for "the law", as set forth in the biblical old testament. I assume that because of the last verse:
"When I lost all hope to look someone took that heavy book from my hands all its weight they set aside after they had satisfied its demands"
Which would make the most sense to me as saying that the intervention of god satisfied the perfect, but ultimately fatal requirements of the words, which is itself the central concept of the song. It's something that is the answer, it is perfect, but it will kill you.
He knew he lost it, had to find it, when he did he knew it was going to kill him Knew I lost something/Knew they'd lay me in my grave
He describes the feeling as tasting sweet, wholesome when in his mouth, but turning bitter when he tries to internalize them, as though they're a poison Honey on my lips/Bitter twist in my side
He even describes the words as being both beautiful and dreadful, belying their nature They were Beautiful and Dread
So then along comes jesus and the new testament and changes everything up and the words of the book are satisfied in his sacrifice, blah blah, I'm not actually christian but I like this song regardless, it's some pretty neat poetry and it's beautiful to listen to, feels mysterious. If anyone else has any alternative interpretations I'd love to know what they are though.
You seem to have a pretty intricate understanding of the Bible to not be a Christian. Well said.
Yep I believe the interpretation that most people are giving is correct.
When young Jewish boys were first learning the Torah, their rabbi would put honey on their lips so the law would always be sweet to them.
Obviously the law was only instituted to point towards Christ and to illustrate the infinite gap between God and man and the absolute necessity of saving mediator.
playitloud has it right. Dustin said this about the song in a recent interview:
For me, the song is talking about the idea of the Law, which is what God would command. It is beautiful, but it’s also treacherous in the fact that we can’t live up to it. It’s pretty much the difference between the Law and the Gospel. The Law is translated and the Gospel is what he gives, and that’s kind of where the song ends, is that transition.
Oh my word!!!!!!!! This is so amazing!! A clear song speaking about Salvation and redemption!
WHAT A SONG!!!!! Every aspect of it amazes me. The poetic format of the lyrics, complicated rhythm and alternating time signatures (4/5 and 6/8) and most of all the meaning of the lyrics - these guys are real artists!
When I listen to the last chorus, I forget all the worries of life and embrace the freedom Jesus gave us through death on the cross. I wish everyone could know the hope and freedom He brings, it's incredible.
WORDS IN THE WATER (Taken straight from the physical album I own)
" Standing knee deep in cold water, swiftly moving, somehow I knew I'd lost something
Wading waist-deep I saw a book there in the river, waiting for me to find it there. I tried to read it, neck deep, treading water, but the tide pulled me out to sea.
Then, with water in my eyes, the words began to rise from their place. They were beautiful and dread; I reached for them and fed on each phrase. They were honey on my lips, but then a bitter twist in my side. I knew they'd lay me in my grave, "Is there no one who could save me?" I cried.
Sinking, down deep through cold water and heavy silence, shadows stirring in the gloom. What things that lay sleeping down deep in the darkness woke then, to find me in my tomb?
Then, with water in my eyes, the words began to rise from their place. They were beautiful and dread; I reached for them and fed on each phrase. They were honey on my lips, but then a bitter twist in my side. I knew they'd lay me in my grave, "Is there no one who could save me?" I cried.
When I lost all hope to look, someone took that heavy book from my hands, all its weight they set aside, after they had satisfied its demands. I felt white and black reverse, and the lifting of a curse from my heart. Then like one receiving sight, I beheld a brilliant light in the dark. "
"endlesvyd" was right-on when finding the meaning of the song. Guys, face the fact: Dusting writes a lot of his lyrics based on the Bible. But that's a good thing!
Oops, I meant to mark that post as "Lyric Correction".
Hear me out here, Cause i'm not a christian, and i have a point to make on generally all thrice lyrical meanings.<br /> I absolutely agree that dustin writes lyrics based on the bible, and i absolutely agree that the meanings of his songs come directly from the bible. He is a religious man, the references made are time and time again fitting with biblical reference. <br /> What i don't agree with is the idea that Dustin Kensrue, Who in my opinion is one of the greatest lyricists around, intended to press these views on anyone who listens to them. If this was the case, the band would be a 'Christian Band' by label. The lyrics are written in such a way that they can be interpreted however those perceiving them wish to interpret them. The way Dustin uses metaphors in every single line of the lyrics he writes shows to me that it is left open for anyone to take from it what they wish to. <br /> When i heard this song, i likened it to how i felt when i read a book about the law of attraction, called the secret. The water rising up around him represents troubles that you face in life, and the idea of words landing him in his grave represent the idea of negative thought bringing about negative manifestations. At the end of the song, he "beheld a brilliant light in the dark", representing the positive way of thinking bringing about a positive manifestation. <br /> Now, some people are bound to read this and immediately think i am wrong, but have you thought to ask yourself 'who am i to say whats right and wrong'? If Dustin himself told me i was wrong to think that, i would argue that i wasn't. Music and songs are not with us today to send a message written in stone to it's listeners, its there for us to enjoy, and take something personal away from it. This is what i take away from it, this is the meaning of the song to me. Other people take other things away from the song, and it means something different to them. They are right in their own way. This is a website called Song Meanings. there is no right or wrong answer, i've always considered it a place to express opinions and beliefs and take on board the opinions and beliefs of others, out of a natural curiosity. I've said my part.
I prefer not to take the bible interpretation routes when I hear Thrice's songs. While I know that is the original intent when Dustin wrote it, the lyrics are generalized enough that one can draw their own metaphors from the lyrics.
To me I can see this song being someone being dumped/left in a relationship and being hung up on it. The book contains all of his memories of the relationship with his partner past weighing him down into what he feels like is the darkest depths of the ocean, drowning in the darkness.
There is hope at the end, where the sad narrator finds another person who takes the book from him, lays it's heavy weight aside and brings him back in the life, possibly a friend helping him out of his sorrow or a new love in his life for him to embrace the light with.
To each his own, I suppose.
Brings him back into the light<br /> <br /> Darned spelling errors.
Dustin is actually a worship leader at a church, so if I had to guess, I would say the biblical interpretation is more accurate
Dustin is a worship leader at Mars Hill church in OC, and one of the churches ideologies is that Christianity is more about a relationship with Jesus than the laws of the bible. I think this song sort of follows that line. In the beginning he is lost, then finds the bible. He initially thinks he has found his salvation. The honey on the lips is a reference to Judaism, which only follows the old testament, the section from which most, if not all, of the controversial topics come from (anti-gay, pro slavery, etc.) The bitter twist in his side is a reference to the piercing of Jesus' side during his crucifixion. He thought he was doing right by following the literal reading of the bible, but it has led to his demise. Finally at the end, someone (Jesus) takes the weight (burden of the biblical law) for him, and essential says "you don't need these laws, you just need me in your life"
I don't have the actual lyrics from Thrice. I think I'm pretty close here, but if I'm at all wrong, please fill me in.
i.imgur.com/fhi9l.jpg<br /> <br /> For whatever reason my scanner wouldn't work, so a phone pic will suffice. Lyrics that came with the vinyl. For the most part everything is spot on besides a few little mistakes such as the "wading" instead of "waiting".