I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
You wanna swim in the river
I wanna dance in the summer
You've always been the believer
I'm always left to wonder
The water is rushing so fast
I think it will take us under
Oh, what thought did you recall
That would make you say my name?
The water's so deep
A friend says "Don't go"
But my mouth betrays me
And says "Hold on"
(And now I know)
This is the pain of believing
(The danger is real)
And there's no easy way out
(How did I get here?)
You trust too much in my bravery
It's my safety you're taking
We're gonna drown in the river
I cannot swim any farther
My blood is pumping so fast
To my heart and limbs underwater
Then I reach and find your hand in mine
And they say you will be saved, but no
I pull and I pull and I pull
But your foot, it's anchored deep
Your face tells me you won't be freed
(And now I know)
This is the pain of believing
(The danger is real)
And there's no easy way out
(How did I get here?)
You trust too much in my bravery
It's my safety you're taking
I decided long ago
Never let your loved ones know
Who you really are, who you really are
People want the truth but never want the scars
And now I'm here, my best friend dying
And I'm the one that's still lying
And you say it's gonna be okay
Over and over and over and over and over and over again
River, wash me clean
River, wash me clean
River, wash me clean
River, wash me clean
I wanna dance in the summer
You've always been the believer
I'm always left to wonder
The water is rushing so fast
I think it will take us under
Oh, what thought did you recall
That would make you say my name?
The water's so deep
A friend says "Don't go"
But my mouth betrays me
And says "Hold on"
(And now I know)
This is the pain of believing
(The danger is real)
And there's no easy way out
(How did I get here?)
You trust too much in my bravery
It's my safety you're taking
We're gonna drown in the river
I cannot swim any farther
My blood is pumping so fast
To my heart and limbs underwater
Then I reach and find your hand in mine
And they say you will be saved, but no
I pull and I pull and I pull
But your foot, it's anchored deep
Your face tells me you won't be freed
(And now I know)
This is the pain of believing
(The danger is real)
And there's no easy way out
(How did I get here?)
You trust too much in my bravery
It's my safety you're taking
I decided long ago
Never let your loved ones know
Who you really are, who you really are
People want the truth but never want the scars
And now I'm here, my best friend dying
And I'm the one that's still lying
And you say it's gonna be okay
Over and over and over and over and over and over again
River, wash me clean
River, wash me clean
River, wash me clean
River, wash me clean
Lyrics submitted by A7XWakingTheFallen
After the Devil Beats His Wife Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
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I don't know anything about what the song means but I read in an interview with Devon or Toby, that "After the Devil Beats His Wife", is what they call it when it's sunny and raining in the south. a nice little shibboleth.