Drink the water drink it down
This time I know I'm bound
To spit it back up
I didn't want this
Salty substitute, just not going to do
I need some air, if I'm going to live through
This experience reminds me of a clock
That just won't tick

I want to wake up
From this concussion
But my dream is just not done
I'm late again,
It's just one of those
Bad days look outside and
Be careful what you ride
You just might find
That you're out of time
To swim ashore
If I drift long enough
I'll be home

He's got delusions between his ears
Man it takes up too much space
And all that tension between his gears man
He'll never ever leave this place
He's got stones instead of bones
And everybody knows
That can make you real real slow
And if heaven was below
He'd know just where to go
Dive in the ocean
And he'd sink like a stone
And he'd say
It's time to swim ashore
If I drift long enough
I'll be home

Hold on if you can
You're gonna sink faster
Than you can imagine so hold
Hold on if you can
You're gonna sink faster
Than you can imagine so hold

It's just time to swim ashore
If I drift long enough
I'll be home



Lyrics submitted by omoyaw

Track duration: 03:24


Drink The Water song meanings
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13 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:Man... JJ got a lot of great songs... I listen to it once, twice and just can't take it off of my head anymore...

    But it's also great like some songs I just start paying attention to and then, suddenly, I'm not interest in the song itself at first but instead I'm thinking about the lyrics... and picturing a perfect frame for what it says...
    and later on I can't stop thinking about the melody and it fits so well, the mood is such a well part of it.

    I'm three days from getting my longboard ready. Never surfed before... I keep on driving listening to JJ, looking through the windows of the office behind a desk and a computer screen all day... a truly countdown before the day I get to the sea... it comes around with a fear of what this song says...

    I don't know, I Just don't know...

    Man, JJ, you're the best...

    Feeling... dude, it had been such a long time since I felt music made with... pure feeling...
    Flag rahulaon August 25, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:yer to me its about the accident surfing, and it really means alot to me cos i knew someone who died on a reaf, not surfing but the lyrics still describe it perfectly.
    Jack has such an amazing voice and i love all his songs.
    they're relaxing. this is one of my favorite jack johnson songs and yer especially the "hold on if you can..." part.
    Flag Billahon March 05, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Champion Song, man...

    love the "Hold on if you can..." part.
    Flag captainhastingson May 13, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song is very likely as stated by jdub. however it's so well written lyricly that you could adapt it to many meanings. this song is very inspiring to me. when i listen to it the funk kicks my ass into gear. to me its truly an atheist's hymn, uplifting and inspiring. plus its great to play and sing on the guitar to get a positive reaction. jack is well deserving of his fame in a world of contrived pop bands and 'american idols'! and thanks for 'the news' too jack!
    Flag j.enslowon August 24, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song sounds like a hangover if iver ever heard of one. but thats just me
    Flag beautifulcowon March 01, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:its so metaphorical, hes drifting towards home as in a house, in from the ocean, but hes also drifting in unconsisness/death, "going home"
    Flag wilcokidon February 22, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I agree with you all. He was definitely referring to the accident. He also seemed to talk about the danger of letting fear set in while surfing. You have to believe that you can do it or else, no matter how talented you are, you will fail. For example, in the lyrics "He's got stones instead of bones And everybody knows That can make you real real slow" . Fear immobilizes you. It's like a mind over matter thing.
    Flag ophelia219on April 28, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:jack johnson is brilliant...this song among many many others....i just cant even explain, i have never related so well to any other artists music so much, just all of his views on politics and the media and environment and everything relates to me. plus his voice is just so great and kind of puts me a peace, it's so mellow and amazing...
    Flag RockOn947on June 11, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:JW this song is written for that reason, i dont know where the accident occured but its all about how one day during big surf he wiped out and nearly drowned. "Drink the water drink it down This time I know I'm bound To spit it back up I didn't want this Salty substitute".....Jack and Harper are awesome cant wait till June 21st when they play in Philly!!!
    Flag SurfingNJon March 30, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This is my favorite Jack Johnson song.
    Flag LullabyBabyon September 06, 2002   Link

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