Words In The Water lyrics by Thrice, 11 meanings, official 2024 song lyrics | LyricsMode.com
Request & respond explanations
  • Don't understand the meaning of the song?
  • Highlight lyrics and request an explanation.
  • Click on highlighted lyrics to explain.
Thrice – Words In The Water lyrics
Standing knee-deep in cold water, swiftly moving
Somehow I knew I lost something

Waiting waist-deep I saw a book there, in the river
Waiting for me to find it there
I tried to read it, neck deep, treading water
The tide pulled me out to sea

Then with water in my eyes
The words began to rise from their place
They were beautiful and dread
I reached for them and fed on each phrase
They were honey on my lips
Then a bitter twist in my side
I knew they'd lay me in my grave
"Is there no one who could save me?" I cried

Sinking down deep through cold water and heavy silence
Shadows stirring in the gloom
What things lay sleeping down deep in the darkness?
Woke then to find me in my tomb

Then with water in my eyes
The words began to rise from their place
They were beautiful and dread
I reached for them and fed on each phrase
They were honey on my lips
Then a bitter twist in my side
I knew they'd lay me in my grave
"Is there no one who could save me?" I cried

And when I lost all hope to look
Someone took that heavy book from my hands
All it's weight they set aside
After they had satisfied it's demands
I felt white and black reverse
And the lifting of a curse from my heart
Then like one receiving sight
I beheld a brilliant light in the dark
×



Lyrics taken from /lyrics/t/thrice/words_in_the_water.html

  • Email
  • Correct
Songwriters: DUSTIN MICHAEL KENSRUE, EDWARD CARRINGTON BRECKENRIDGE, JAMES RILEY BRECKENRIDGE, TERANISHI TEPPEI
Words In The Water lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing

Words In The Water meanings Post my meaning

  • U
    + 6
    Unregistered
    The Book represents the word of God, the bible, God's law. The law brings revelation of mans sinful nature and his need for God. The law points us to a need for a savior. When I lost all hope to loo, Someone (Christ) took that heavy book, of the Law and the impossible burden it imputes to man. All it's weight they set aside, after they had satisfied it's demands (Christ came to fulfill the law. He took the burden of it upon himself, and satisfied it once and for all.
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 5
    Unregistered
    It's the Gospel of Christ. We try to justify ourselves before God with our good deeds (the book), but it is only death ("I knew they'd lay me in my grave"). It's honey when we succeed, but bitter when we fail. Trying to please God with good works only shows that we will fail so Jesus takes the book from us and "satisfies it's demands" for us. Knowing we are free from trying to please God by our efforts and knowing that Christ has pleased him for us and now we are pleasing to Him, lifts the curse from our heart. In Christ, we are 100% perfect in God's sight. That's the good news! Probably one of Thrice's best songs in my opinion.
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 3
    Unregistered
    We're all battling our own demons, it's a metaphor for life. We're drowning in our own turmoil and sometimes all it takes is a helping hand to relieve the pressure and pull us out of our own darkness. If anything, the book is representative of society / religion / forced ways of thought and how they can pull us down because we're not all supposed to follow a single train of thought - we're all individuals, we're all unique.
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 3
    Unregistered
    To me, this universe is full of natural laws, such as gravity, law of conservation of mass, etc, which would exist even if man didn't. I believe justice is another one of these laws, which can only be overcome by mercy. I think the 'book' refered to in this song is a 'book of justice'. Just as gravity allows man the opportunities to build muscle, or to feel the joy of lifting anothers burden, gravity also prevents us from soaring in to the heavens; so in other words, justice is, as gravity is, both good and bad or 'beautiful and dread'. When I've messed up, the thought of justice coming to me is the heaviest book I can imagine carrying, then I allow the savior to lift the book into the arms of the atonement and I feel very much like what is described in the last sentences of this song. This band- especially the lyrics, have helped me through hard times of doubt, and I'm grateful for their continuing to be a light on a hill.
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 2
    Unregistered
    I don't know why people are so upset about religion and faith. I refuse the religion, but I do believe in god, and I know jesus christ died for all of us. I don't know how much truth are in the bible, but I have faith which no one could take from me ever. Dustin also believes that jesus died for our sins. Respect that, and if you want to refuse faith, go and find someone else. So he is a believer and there is a load of other bands. Pagans I mean.
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 2
    Unregistered
    Dear sir who referred to foolish "christians" and didn't bother to explain the meaning of this song. A great man once said "he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose. " if I am wrong, what happens? If you are wrong, you- very sadly- will end up in hell. I have a faith and believe in jesus. And furthermore am certain that this song speaks of the redemption that christ brought from the law which was given to reveal the sin of makind and their need for a savior. If you disagree, that is fine, I respect that and can only pray that jesus reveals himself to you and softens your heart. Please do the same and respect those who believe in christ for their only aim is to save your soul. A polite refusal to listen will suffice.
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 2
    Unregistered
    The water continuously rising reminds me of one half of a balance. As the water rises we sink on the other side of that balance. In the beginning chorus we are completely sunk below the rising water and at that point is our low point. As a turn he switches the tone of the passage in the middle of the low point of our struggle, culminating in our relinquishment. A common theme in thrice's songs is man's jealousy of the control of his own life. I think that dustin is remarking on the balance within us that we see and feel that "brilliant light in the dark" when we give over that "book" that we can no longer handle, when we are hopeless.
    In this he celebrates god's love and the role it plays as we struggle not to sink lower on one side of the balance.
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 2
    Unregistered
    It's important to remember that there are two laws. 1] the ten commandments - which were written on stone by the finger of g-d - which define sin - and since sin still remains I. E. It's still a sin to murder, commit adultery etc - note hebrews 10: 26 - "... If we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover their sins... " the ten commandments remain immutable else there is no standard to define sin. 2] the book of the law - which was written on a scroll by moses. This book of the law contained all the ordinances pertaining to the sacrifices and rituals - the sacrifices and rituals were all symbolic of christ, thus when christ came to this earth and died, these sacrifices - since they were inferior to their fulfilment were to be immediately discarded. The ten commandments still remain. If you're not familiar with the old testament, jesus was quoting the ot when he said "love the lord your g-d with all your heart, mind, and soul" and "love your neighbour as yourself". People who read only paul should read james sometime and try to reconcile the apparent contradiction: d
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 2
    Unregistered
    The book represents the law given to the israelites. Romans says that where the law was given, sin (and death) increased all the more.
    Obviously, that person to lift the weight of the law from us is christ. Who perfectly upheld god's commands and takes our sins upon himself.
    How he does this, I do not know. It's god, but he was good on his promises to abraham, david, and everyone else throught the ot, so we can take faith in his promise that we are justified through christ.
    My take at least.
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 2
    Unregistered
    About baptism. It's also, is about Jonah being in the whale in the second verse I believe. But, first I thought it was about someone who is traveling down the river of life and gets to sea and has yet to read the words of God and they finally find it. Someone who finally realizes that all that they stressed about and their could be lifted from your shoulders and put on to christ. That's where baptism comes in and lifts the weight of sin off your shoulders and your now in the light of God.
    Add your reply
  • U
    + 1
    Unregistered
    One main reason I think people are thinking that its "not" about the bible is the fact that the lyrics are wrong. Its not "they were beautiful and dread". Its "they were beautiful and red". Most new bibles have all of jesus's words highlighted in red text. The song is about dying to yourself, realizing that jesus took the sacrifice and truly died for you so that you could live a new life.
    Add your reply
    View 6 more meanings

    Write about your feelings and thoughts about Words In The Water

    Know what this song is about? Does it mean anything special hidden between the lines to you? Share your meaning with community, make it interesting and valuable. Make sure you've read our simple tips.
    U
    Min 50 words
    Not bad
    Good
    Awesome!

    Top meanings Post my meaning

    • U
      + 6
      Unregistered
      The Book represents the word of God, the bible, God's law. The law brings revelation of mans sinful... Read more →
    • U
      + 5
      Unregistered
      It's the Gospel of Christ. We try to justify ourselves before God with our good deeds (the book),... Read more →

    official video

    Featured lyrics

    0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z