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Swim Lyrics
You gotta swim
Swim for your life
Swim for the music that saves you
When you're not so sure you'll survive
You gotta swim
And swim when it hurts
The whole world is watching
You haven't come this far
To fall off the Earth
The currents will pull you
Away from your love
Just keep your head above
I found a tidal wave
Begging to tear down the dawn
Memories like bullets
They fired at me from a gun
Cracking the armour, yeah
I swim for brighter days
Despite the absense of sun
Choking on salt water
I'm not giving in
I swim
You gotta swim
Through nights that won't end
Swim for your family, your lovers
Your sisters and brothers and friends
Yeah you gotta swim
For wars without cause
Swim for these lost politicians
Who don't see their greed is a flaw
The currents will pull us
Away from our love
Just keep your head above
I found a tidal wave
Begging to tear down the dawn
Memories like bullets
They fired at me from a gun
Cracking the armour, yeah
I swim for brighter days
Despite the absense of sun
Choking on salt water
I'm not giving in
I'm not giving in
I swim
You gotta swim
Swim in the dark
There's no shame in driftin'
Feel the tide shifting
And wait for the spark
Yeah you gotta swim
Don't let yourself sink
Just find the horizon
I promise you it's not as far as you think
The currents will drag us away from our love
Just keep your head above
Just keep your head above
Swim
Just keep your head above
Swim
Just keep your head above
Swim
Swim for your life
Swim for the music that saves you
When you're not so sure you'll survive
And swim when it hurts
The whole world is watching
You haven't come this far
To fall off the Earth
Away from your love
Just keep your head above
Begging to tear down the dawn
Memories like bullets
They fired at me from a gun
Cracking the armour, yeah
Despite the absense of sun
Choking on salt water
I'm not giving in
I swim
Through nights that won't end
Swim for your family, your lovers
Your sisters and brothers and friends
For wars without cause
Swim for these lost politicians
Who don't see their greed is a flaw
Away from our love
Just keep your head above
Begging to tear down the dawn
Memories like bullets
They fired at me from a gun
Cracking the armour, yeah
Despite the absense of sun
Choking on salt water
I'm not giving in
I'm not giving in
I swim
Swim in the dark
There's no shame in driftin'
Feel the tide shifting
And wait for the spark
Don't let yourself sink
Just find the horizon
I promise you it's not as far as you think
Just keep your head above
Swim
Swim
Swim
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Last night at the show, Andrew said that during the middle of writing The Glass Passenger, he got really lost, stuck and had no idea how he was going to finish it. He said he was sitting down and then saw a piece of paper with 'Swim' written on it, which gave him the kickstart he needed.
Nice story there!
it's simply about fighting for what maatters
I think this might have a lot to do with andrew's stay in the hospital. I've heard from a lot of people with leukemia and cancer that their always fighting.
and I think that's what swim means. and he's being pulled under the waves, he's saying you have to fight, for yourself and your family.
beautiful.
My boyfriend who is an aspiring musician has recently been so sick that he cannot even walk. The doctors don't know what is wrong with him, but they are doing all kinds of blood work. Andrew McMahon is his hero, and initially, this song was his favorite because it made him think about his life, and how many things he has over come. But since he's been sick, it has taken on an all encompassing meaning. The other day I heard him listening to this song on his ipod, on repeat. I think it's amazing how one person can inspire an individual so much. I wish I could thank Andrew McMahon for writing this song...it's incredible.
Those are some damn good lyrics! This song has probably saved the lives of many people (including me). Love how they use "you gotta swim, don't let yourself sink" instead of simply saying "Move along, never give up".
great song. saw the youtube video of it at summerfest. it was awesome.
this song reminds me way too much of his early song "spin"
i love this song so much. i can totally relate to it
i think it sends a really positive message about not giving up on something thats challenging.
"Swim You gotta swim Swim in the dark The ocean is drifting Feel the tide shifting and wait for the spark Yeah you gotta swim Don't let yourself sink Just find the horizon I promise you it's not as far as you'd think The currents will drag us away from our love Just keep your head above"
This song is so uplifting. Absolutely Beautiful.