What The Water Gave Me

Florence + The Machine's song 'What The Water Gave Me' is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of themes such as sacrifice, surrender, and the inexorable passage of time. The lyrics are rich with metaphors and cultural references, creating a tapestry of emotions and imagery that invites listeners to delve deep into its meaning. The water, a recurring motif in the song, symbolizes both life and death, a duality that is central to the song's narrative.

The opening lines, 'Time it took us / To where the water was / That's what the water gave me,' suggest a journey or a passage of time that leads to a significant, perhaps transformative, moment. The water here can be seen as a metaphor for the experiences and trials that shape us. The repeated plea, 'Lay me down / Let the only sound / Be the overflow,' evokes a sense of surrender and acceptance, as if the speaker is ready to be engulfed by the overwhelming forces of life or fate.

The reference to Atlas, 'the world's beast of a burden,' adds a mythological layer to the song. Atlas, who carries the weight of the world on his shoulders, represents the burdens and responsibilities that we all bear. The line 'And all this longing / And the ships are left to rust / That's what the water gave us' speaks to the unfulfilled desires and the passage of time that leaves dreams and ambitions to decay. The imagery of 'pockets full of stones' is a poignant nod to Virginia Woolf, who filled her pockets with stones before drowning herself, symbolizing a final, irreversible surrender to the water.

The song also touches on themes of loss and the cruel bargains life demands, as seen in the lines 'Cause they took your loved ones / But returned them in exchange for you.' This exchange highlights the inevitable sacrifices we make and the harsh realities we face. The water, described as a 'cruel mistress,' demands a price, and the speaker's plea, 'But oh, my love, don't forget me / When I let the water take me,' underscores the fear of being forgotten and the desire for remembrance even in the face of surrender.

'What The Water Gave Me' is a powerful meditation on the complexities of life, the inevitability of loss, and the profound act of letting go. It invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences and the sacrifices they have made, all while being enveloped in the ethereal and haunting soundscape that Florence + The Machine is known for.