In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Rolling hills all covered in suede
I'm heat nervous and out of road
Downtown there's a parade
But I don't think I want to go
Smart as trees in Sault Saint Marie
I can speak my mother tongue
Passing laws, just because
And singing songs of the English unsung
Well, how could you do it?
Well, how could you even try?
When you were born in the water
And you were raised up in the sky?
Front seat stamped by the window
No erasers in this game
Arbitrary as the wind blows
It's another way to lay claim
Ain't no cause for blood-thirsting
In a little town so dry
Where the angels dance on a pinhead
Just to make room for you and I
Well, how could you do it?
Well, how could you even try?
When you were born in the water
And you were raised up in the sky?
Thoroughbred with their great big heads
Think a mile might be too far
Highway horses laugh but of course
When they don't know where the hell they are
Well, smart as trees in Sault Saint Marie
Victorious mother tongue
Passing laws just because
And singing songs of the English unsung
Well, how could you do it?
Well, how could you even try?
When you were born in the water
And you were raised up
Well, how could you do it?
Well, how could you even try?
When you were born in the water
And you were raised up in the sky?
I'm heat nervous and out of road
Downtown there's a parade
But I don't think I want to go
Smart as trees in Sault Saint Marie
I can speak my mother tongue
Passing laws, just because
And singing songs of the English unsung
Well, how could you do it?
Well, how could you even try?
When you were born in the water
And you were raised up in the sky?
Front seat stamped by the window
No erasers in this game
Arbitrary as the wind blows
It's another way to lay claim
Ain't no cause for blood-thirsting
In a little town so dry
Where the angels dance on a pinhead
Just to make room for you and I
Well, how could you do it?
Well, how could you even try?
When you were born in the water
And you were raised up in the sky?
Thoroughbred with their great big heads
Think a mile might be too far
Highway horses laugh but of course
When they don't know where the hell they are
Well, smart as trees in Sault Saint Marie
Victorious mother tongue
Passing laws just because
And singing songs of the English unsung
Well, how could you do it?
Well, how could you even try?
When you were born in the water
And you were raised up
Well, how could you do it?
Well, how could you even try?
When you were born in the water
And you were raised up in the sky?
Lyrics submitted by black_cow_of_death
Born in the Water Lyrics as written by Gordon Sinclair Gordon Downie
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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According to wikipedia,
"'Born in the Water" is about the controversy surrounding Ontario municipalities (particularly Sault Ste. Marie) declaring themselves "English-only" in the dying days of the Meech Lake Accord debate."