Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
I have never taken life
Yet I have often paid the price
And you you are a victim of this age
And the guilt that hangs around your neck
Has got me locked up in a cage
You've got to learn to live until no end
But first you must learn to swim
All over again (oh no)
Because...
Pain lies on the riverside
And pain will never say goodbye (oh no)
Pain lies on the riverside
So put your feet in the water
Put your head in the water
Put your soul in the water
And join me for a swim tonight
I have forever, always tried
To stay clean and constantly baptized
I am aware now that the river's banks are dry
And to wait for a flood
Is to wait for life
I've got to learn to live until no end
But first I must learn to swim
All over again (yeah yeah yeah)
Because...
Pain lies on the riverside
And pain will never say goodbye (oh no)
Pain lies on the riverside
So put your feet in the water
Put your head in the water
Come on, put your soul in the water
Join me for a swim tonight
For a swim tonight (oh my love)
I've got to learn to live until no end
But I've got to learn to swim
All over, all over
All over again (yeah yeah yeah)
Because...
Pain lies on the riverside (ohoho nanah nanah)
Pain will never say goodbye (oh no)
Pain lies on the riverside
So put your feet in the water
Put your head in the water now
Come on, put your soul in the water
Join me for a swim tonight (yeah)
For a swim tonight
Got to swim
All over, all over, all over
All over again
Got to live
All over, all over, all over
All over again
Yet I have often paid the price
And you you are a victim of this age
And the guilt that hangs around your neck
Has got me locked up in a cage
You've got to learn to live until no end
But first you must learn to swim
All over again (oh no)
Because...
Pain lies on the riverside
And pain will never say goodbye (oh no)
Pain lies on the riverside
So put your feet in the water
Put your head in the water
Put your soul in the water
And join me for a swim tonight
I have forever, always tried
To stay clean and constantly baptized
I am aware now that the river's banks are dry
And to wait for a flood
Is to wait for life
I've got to learn to live until no end
But first I must learn to swim
All over again (yeah yeah yeah)
Because...
Pain lies on the riverside
And pain will never say goodbye (oh no)
Pain lies on the riverside
So put your feet in the water
Put your head in the water
Come on, put your soul in the water
Join me for a swim tonight
For a swim tonight (oh my love)
I've got to learn to live until no end
But I've got to learn to swim
All over, all over
All over again (yeah yeah yeah)
Because...
Pain lies on the riverside (ohoho nanah nanah)
Pain will never say goodbye (oh no)
Pain lies on the riverside
So put your feet in the water
Put your head in the water now
Come on, put your soul in the water
Join me for a swim tonight (yeah)
For a swim tonight
Got to swim
All over, all over, all over
All over again
Got to live
All over, all over, all over
All over again
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Basically I think the song is talking about how life is full of pains and hardships. As humans we live on the land or the riverside, and the riverside causes us these problems, and seeing how Live commonly use water as a metaphor for a place where they are free and not weighed down by anything, the song says " On land we're weighed down by gravity and emotions. In the water we are free. So join me for a swim tonight." Something like that I believe. Of course I also own a copy of V so my opinion may be completely construed.