Florence and the Machine: What the Water Gave Me Meaning

What the Water Gave Me Lyrics

Time it took us
To where the water was
That's what the water gave me
And time goes quicker
Between the two of us
Oh, my love, don't forsake me
Take what the water gave me

Lay me down
Let the only sound
Be the overflow
Pockets full of...

1. 1TOP RATED

   #1 top rated interpretation:
   anonymous

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   Dec 4th 2011 report

   This song is actually about the an author Virgina Wolff who committed suicide by filling her pockets with stones and walking underwater, drowning herself.

2. 2TOP RATED

   #2 top rated interpretation:
   anonymous

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   Sep 20th 2011 report

   Speaks like a lover forewarning her love, the water/life gave them (like a reference to Frida Kahlo's piece with the same title)can be taken away. When she lets the water take her. She is asking not to be forsaken or forgotten,despite what life/the water has given them.Could be interpretted as Life=Water in the lyric.It flows, it is out of our control. We take what it gives us and know it will take us with it someday. It is a cruel mistress in that it will romance you with gifts and pleasures,all temporarily as we have no control of when the water will wash us away.
3. anonymous

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   Jun 18th 2014 report

   Every time I hear this song, I think it's about being drunk.
4. Jelibean

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   Oct 6th 2013 report

   This songs is talking about the life given to her, and wanting to live it to the full, but being hesitant to do so because of fear of her lover leaving her. Because he would be everything to her, she feels that she would go drown herself if he left her because she is determined to live life to the full. The water mentioned here is a referral to life and drowning in a literal sense. When she talks about taking he water, she is talking about going where life leads,no matter what.
5. anonymous

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   Dec 16th 2012 report

   This song is about Virginia Wolfe. She committed suicide by walking into a river with her pockets full of stones. "Lay me down/Let the only sound be the overflow/Pockets full of stones."
6. anonymous

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   Jun 11th 2012 report

   I think it's about how shes taking whatever life(The water) gives her.

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