1 Meaning
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A
Build A Levee Lyrics
When I was just a little girl, my mama said to me:
Beware of the devil my child
in the dark, rocky places he'll keep.
Beware of the devil my child,
beware of his charming ways.
You'll fall under an evil spell
just looking at his beautiful face.
You better build yourself a levee deep inside
Don't go walking by the riverside alone in the pale moonlight.
He'll come up upon you girl with no earthly body in sight
Come up on you girl and he'll whisper something sweet
And take you where the waters rise so high and run so deep.
You gotta build yourself a levee deep inside
Gotta build yourself a levee deep inside
Build yourself a levee girl when the waters run high
Now when I was just a little girl, my mama said to me:
Beware of the devil my child, but if by chance you should meet
Beware of his cold dark eyes, full of bold and unholy deceit
He'll tempt you with a whirling pool of lies
And promises he'll deny or that he will never keep
You gotta build yourself a levee deep inside.
Build yourself a levee deep inside.
Build yourself a levee girl when the waters run high.
Beware of the devil my child
in the dark, rocky places he'll keep.
Beware of the devil my child,
beware of his charming ways.
You'll fall under an evil spell
just looking at his beautiful face.
He'll come up upon you girl with no earthly body in sight
Come up on you girl and he'll whisper something sweet
And take you where the waters rise so high and run so deep.
Gotta build yourself a levee deep inside
Build yourself a levee girl when the waters run high
Beware of the devil my child, but if by chance you should meet
Beware of his cold dark eyes, full of bold and unholy deceit
He'll tempt you with a whirling pool of lies
And promises he'll deny or that he will never keep
Build yourself a levee deep inside.
Build yourself a levee girl when the waters run high.
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
"Build a Levee" by Natalie Merchant is a song that metaphorically explores the theme of protection and resilience against emotional turmoil and destructive influences. The imagery of building a levee, a structure used to control water flow and prevent flooding, symbolizes the need to establish barriers and boundaries to safeguard oneself from external dangers and negative influences.
The lyrics caution against the allure of temptation and manipulation represented by the devil, urging the listener to be vigilant and resistant to deceptive charm. The warnings against walking alone by the riverside in the pale moonlight evoke a sense of vulnerability and the lurking presence of unseen dangers.
Overall, the song's theme emphasizes the importance of self-preservation, inner strength, and the proactive effort needed to shield oneself from harmful influences and emotional floods. It conveys a message of empowerment and resilience in the face of adversity.