Bright Eyes – Empty Canyon/Empty Canteen

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Don't waste the water
Don't drink it now
Because this desert keeps growing
And we might never get out
Besides, we're not even moving
We're just standing around
But I must admit that when it comes to this
I'm as scared as the rest
Feels like something's hunting me down
It'll end up to be like the films that you've seen
Where they they bury the bones that will never be found
But I do, but I do, but I do

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Lyrics submitted by weezerific:cutlery


Empty Canyon/Empty Canteen song meanings
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12 Comments

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  • 0
    My Opinion:I believe that the song is about depression. Like StickyNote said the water represents happiness. And in my oppinion the desert is the depression, once you drink that water you're screwed. When someone suffers from depression it can feel as if "you'll never get out" or like the feeling has "hunted you down". In the end he starts contemplating death: "It'll end up to be like the films that you've seen
    Where they they bury the bones that will never be found" The part where he complains that "we're not even moving" that's a common syptom of depression, nothing gets done because all you can do is lay in bed. Finally with the "But I do" I think he's just subtling stating that he wants to be saved, he wants to get through it, he'd like somone's help. That's the way I see it
    Flag HubeyDoobieon December 09, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think it's about commitment. The water is the passion in their relationship, and I think he's afraid of losing it, yet is willing to give it a shot.
    Flag chassidychumpon February 24, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think it's just about life and moving forward, the water being the happiness you have, and the desert being the world we live in, you walk through it and if you let the heat get to you and drink all of your happiness too fast you'll just lay down and die.

    The I Do, I am not really sure about.

    Mostly I think it is talking about the drinking the water part.
    Though, I find myself thinking it could be talking about the final line also, "Where they they bury the bones that will never be found" The "I do's" being him saying "I want to be found."
    Flag StickyNoteon February 08, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:There are some artists that you discover at just the right time in your life that you end up liking forever or at least a very long time. You form some weird connection to them because they represent a life event or phase for you. Bright Eyes is one of those artists for me. In my eyes, Conor can do no wrong musically (that is, unless he suddenly decided to work with,say, Britney Spears).
    Flag eighteen18on June 26, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i simply think this song is about thinking some type of relationship is at its end, at the dregs, bc theyre prblems are elating, but they arent changing a thing & hes scared maybe of the relationship itself or losing that someone. in the end itll prolly just be
    something forgotten & cannot be redeemed.

    idk the but i do part.
    Flag halighALIEon June 06, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I like how simple this song is
    Flag StukonMandybrandon May 23, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This is a bonus track on the Japanese version of Letting off the Happiness.
    Flag veisalgiaon February 19, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:What cd is this on? Oh well, I'll download it anyways. Really great lyrics.
    Flag brokenspoonson February 07, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:what is this song about?! i know its some big metaphor but i can't figuure it out! it is a beautiful song though.
    Flag i.was.young.enoughon February 06, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:mm i adore this song. the first two sentences are so sad but pretty.
    Flag new_world_orderon January 13, 2005   Link

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