Lyric discussion by dgas1992 

Cover art for What the Water Gave Me lyrics by Florence + the Machine

I saw the whole song as exploring death.

'Time it took us To where the water was That's what the water gave me'

Thinking of the future and fearing death means you don't enjoy life when it happens. Florence clearly accepts death in this song, and even welcomes it. Accepting that death does happen and living in the present moment gives you the ability to appreciate the full beauty of life as it happens.

I feel 'water' is used because it's both bringer of life and a bringer of death. Maybe it gave Florence the realisation!

@dgas1992 I agree water is both protector (too late) and death, on one’s own terms. Brave and chicken shit. Finally engulfed, returned to water.