Buried In Water
Dead Man's Bones
The Haunting Elegy of a Drowned Town
Dead Man's Bones' song "Buried In Water" is a haunting and melancholic reflection on loss, sacrifice, and the inexorable passage of time. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a town submerged underwater, a metaphor for forgotten histories and the sacrifices made for the greater good. The recurring imagery of being "buried in water" suggests a sense of being overwhelmed and consumed by forces beyond one's control, much like a lamb led to slaughter, innocent and unaware of its fate.
The song's narrative unfolds with a sense of eerie calm, describing a town that lies beneath a lake, a place the narrator has visited. This submerged town symbolizes lost love and forgotten lives, sacrificed so that other towns could thrive. The line "Love was all that it could give, but it died so other towns could live" poignantly captures the essence of this sacrifice. The imagery of wolves in sheep's clothing and the Devil coming for "you and yours" adds a layer of foreboding, suggesting that danger and malevolence lurk beneath the surface of seemingly peaceful settings.
The song also touches on themes of memory and the passage of time, with references to leaves floating away and anchors buried in ghosts. These images evoke a sense of impermanence and the lingering presence of the past. The repeated refrain of being "buried in water" serves as a somber reminder of the town's fate and the enduring impact of its loss. Dead Man's Bones, known for their gothic and eerie musical style, effectively use these themes and metaphors to create a deeply moving and thought-provoking piece.