Thrice – See You in the Shallows

I hear the waves crash far below;

The rocks are leaping for the sky
They're starving for the air, for a bone to break,
A dream to smash apart, but I don't care
It looks deep enough from here, I'm diving
This cliff has been well worn by ignorance
It looks deep enough from here, I'm diving
They float face down they all look so content
I don't know why I'm even here

Guess I'm afraid to be alone
And down below I see my crew they look okay that can't be blood
The water here is far to blue

And gravity seems far away, but I can hear her Call my name
It's so comforting to know I'll never have to think again
It looks deep enough from here, I'm diving
This cliff has been well worn by ignorance
It looks deep enough from here, I'm diving
We float face down but don't we all look so content


Lyrics submitted by Second Self

"See You in the Shallows" as written by Edward Carrington Breckenridge Dustin Michael Kensrue

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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See You in the Shallows song meanings
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133 Comments

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  • +2
    General CommentI personally believe this song isn't about suicide and DEFINATELY isn't about God. Listen to the lyrics. It uses a metaphor of jumping off a cliff in to a rocky shallow pool that looks deep and safe to talk about succumbing to the pressures of society and trying to fit in. When you're on the outside, the inside looks nice and happy, but when you're inside you see how rough it can be. Just read the lyrics... it makes sense.
    JustAChicken73on April 26, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General CommentAlthough every interpretation is valid, I think the point of the song is that sometimes, no matter how "deep" some of us like to be, one must deliberately dive into ignorance. To me, that is one way to balance myself; trying to think about everything in this world can be overwhelming. Knowing this, it's necessary to forget the conflicts and just be from time to time. I think every interpretation works not only by themselves, but combined to give the poem more depth.
    Mister Requiemon April 30, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Commentif it was about suicide why would they care how deep the water was?!!! fucks sake.

    this song is about having doubts about just following the crowd and fitting in ie 'taking the plunge' and just going along with everyone else, as has happened to so many others who have had doubts - 'this cliff has been well worn by ignorance'. also it refers to letting everyone else make your decisions for you - 'it's so comforting to know i'll never have to think again'. but then the 'narrator' just decides to go along with it all anyway, 'it looks deep enough from here, i'm diving'. It's written from a fictional perspective of someone who just ends up following the crowd despite their own doubts, and the lyrics are meant to highlight the naivety of their thoughts. ie 'that can't be blood, the water here is far too blue'




    rxbandit85on June 18, 2009   Link
  • +1
    My InterpretationOkay, so the "rocks" are people who are down below wanting others to be ignorant or are the blind majority. And they want others to fail because that's the human condition or what people who are down and out feel/think about others. And he finds himself at this ledge, only because he doesn't want to be alone. So he's there because of peer pressure. "Floating face down" is about being "content" but in their ignorance.

    Or this whole thing could be the opposite, where you take a leap of faith and are content even if you die because you took the leap. (this being faith driven, then?) MOST likely it's the first one because the rocks want the dreams to smash apart. Why would he refer to faith as merely a dream, as if not real. If that's the point.
    Lovinthedrumminon June 19, 2009   Link
  • +1
    My OpinionTo me the song is like the quote be yourself imitation is suicide. Satirically speaking of taking the dive into the content crowd of others is like trying to blend in with the crowd and the lyrics point that out. but also the singer is thinking should conform to what other styles of music and even clothing are appealing and selling at that point in time. Thrice never really was like anyone else they have always kept a subtle but noticeable persona and didn't go into other directions their writing is witty smart relatable at points and just kicks ass. I'm writing this in 2016 a few months before their new cd comes out let's see if my opinion holds up and the music isn't following any other style or trend.
    jamesgang90on May 12, 2016   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis song reminds me of the first time I heard of Thrice. I was at the beach with my boyfriend (Oregon beach mind you) and he was climbing around on the rocks singing this song. I guess it kindof represents how we were unsure about a relationship but decided to take the plunge anyways. Lucky us. :D
    zixxzixxzixxon April 12, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis is an awesome song, it makes me think about alot of things.
    Juiceon April 13, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Commentthis song is about suicide and how so many people have done it.. and sometimes it seems like a good idea..
    uglyon April 23, 2002   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Commentno way this song is about suicide. thrice uses suicide as a metaphor... to signify the leap of faith you have to take for god, or for that matter, for anything you love.

    -_punk_-on April 24, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentWhy does everyone think all of their lyrics are about god?
    HolkeyeSFon April 25, 2002   Link

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