Before The Water Gets Too High

Parquet Courts' song 'Before The Water Gets Too High' is a poignant and urgent commentary on the looming environmental crisis and the societal apathy that surrounds it. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a world on the brink of disaster, where the consequences of climate change are becoming increasingly unavoidable. The song opens with a reflection on the inevitability of the end, using metaphors like 'frost' and 'swan song' to evoke a sense of cold finality and impending doom. The mention of 'State TV' and 'broadcast beamed into the dry terrain' suggests a critique of how media and governments often downplay or misrepresent the severity of the crisis.

The imagery of 'drenched survival' and 'tent villages waiting for the state to help' highlights the human cost of environmental neglect. These lines evoke scenes of displacement and suffering, where people are left to fend for themselves in the face of natural disasters. The song's chorus, 'Before the water gets too high,' serves as a repeated warning, urging immediate action before it's too late. The metaphor of 'glass barely bends before it cracks' underscores the fragility of our current situation, suggesting that we are on the verge of a breaking point.

As the song progresses, it delves into the futility of past efforts and the dire consequences of inaction. The lines 'If the clock strikes midnight then / What becomes of our demonstrations?' question the effectiveness of protests and activism in the face of overwhelming odds. The reference to 'drinking water on which we subsist / Mixing into rivers that did not exist yesterday' poignantly illustrates the rapid and unpredictable changes brought about by climate change. The song concludes with a stark warning about the limits of wealth and power, suggesting that even the rich will not be immune to the consequences of environmental collapse. 'Before the water gets too high / To float the powers that be / Or is it someone else’s job / Until the rich are refugees?' serves as a final, chilling reminder that time is running out for everyone.