The Sea

I think the image of a vast sea represents the true love between two people. With the lines "And we wade out way out past the bar, / I had not planned on going out this far," maybe he's saying that he didn't expect to find such a degree of intimacy in a relationship.

"The devil," as a symbol or personification of negativity, might vaguely refer to negative aspects of himself. What he wants to "wash away" are his weaknesses, or whatever might bring about this negativity.

I think the sea represents the physical aspect of the relationship. The author talks about a white rose meeting the sea in one of his dreams. Traditionally, white roses represent innocence, so in the context, his dream could be telling him that he's not really doing anything with said girl. He finally does something physically with this girl (be it making out, cuddle or whatever), "Will you wade with me? You and me, all alone?". As he's doing this, he realises that he really hasn't been doing this with this girl, "I grab your toes and now I understand / The symbol of the rose."

The chorus goes on saying that he'd like to spend some time with this girl, be it untill the close end or forever. He didn't care. He begins wondering if she WILL stay with him, "Will you always float here with me?"

He's at some sort of social gathering, later, after the chorus, perhaps a party, and he ends up going farther with the girl than he had anticipated, perhaps sex, or other sexual activity. "So we jump back into the party / And we wade out way out past the bar / I had not planned on going out this far".

The devil could represent the bad things, things he doesn't want to do, perhaps going further physically, or maybe just losing the initial lust he had for her. He's fighting it, but it seems so inviting, like the Devil. "'Cause the devil has a smile / And the devil has a smile / And it's thorny and it's wild / And it grows from deep inside / And you try to swim away / But the devil calls this play"

Does anyone know if there's a connection between the line "That lures the devil in the deep blue sea" and the Frank Sinatra song "Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea"?

Yeah, I'd have to agree with you guys. This song is definitely about something beyond the sea. A relationship fits. He realizes that the girl he is playing with is now a focus of his affection. He realizes this when he touches her toes. There is an air of innocence when he describes himself racing the morning light down the wooden path and once he's in the water it can't reach him. Perhaps the white rose represents innocence and before the sea signifies friendship but the sea signifies a partnership. Something greater but with all things that are greater there is greater likelihood for temptation. This is why the devil lies in the deepest reaches of the sea. The sea is beautiful but his pull is the undertow and you can swim, swim, swim. This is game he likes to play. But if they hold on to each other, he'll try and rid himself of any malevolent tendencies.

I think the Devil represents the girl