This is one of my favorite FB&TC songs. I initially liked it for the musicianship and the beautiful sadness of the steel guitar over the unconventional chord progression that somehow work perfectly, as most FB&TC songs do.
After many listens, I think I finally realized what the song is about. Frank is singing about someone with a persecution complex, or victim complex. They have gone through a painful experience, but now removed from it, they continue to struggle and insist that they are being persecuted. Frank is describing that help is available, but the swimmer refuses to grab the hands of those who have reached out to rescue her (him?). Frank wonders how the swimmer is able to stay afloat, yet not make any progress with their problem. Frank wonders if the swimmer will figure it out, or if they will ultimately sink to the bottom of the sea.
This is one of my favorite FB&TC songs. I initially liked it for the musicianship and the beautiful sadness of the steel guitar over the unconventional chord progression that somehow work perfectly, as most FB&TC songs do.
After many listens, I think I finally realized what the song is about. Frank is singing about someone with a persecution complex, or victim complex. They have gone through a painful experience, but now removed from it, they continue to struggle and insist that they are being persecuted. Frank is describing that help is available, but the swimmer refuses to grab the hands of those who have reached out to rescue her (him?). Frank wonders how the swimmer is able to stay afloat, yet not make any progress with their problem. Frank wonders if the swimmer will figure it out, or if they will ultimately sink to the bottom of the sea.