Drowning Man

U2

Take my hand
You know I'll be there
If you can
I'll cross the sky for your love
For I have promised
Oh, to be with you tonight
And for the time that will come

Take my hand
You know I'll be there
If you can
I'll cross the sky for your love
And I understand
These winds and tides
This change of times
Won't drag you away
Hold on, and hold on tightly
Hold on, and don't let go of my love

The storms will pass (the storm will pass)
It won't be long now (it won't be long now)
His love will last
His love will last, forever

Take my hand
You know I'll be there
If you can
I'll cross the sky for your love
Give you what I hold dear

Hold on, hold on tightly
Hold on, hold on tightly
Rise up, rise up
With wings like eagles
You run, you run
You run and not grow weary

(Take my hand, take my hand)
Hold on, and hold on tightly
Hold on, hold on tightly
To this love,(this love, this love) last forever
To this love,(this love, this love) last forever

Take my hand
Take my hand


Lyrics submitted by yuri_sucupira

Drowning Man Lyrics as written by Dave Evans Adam Clayton

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Drowning Man song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

20 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +3
    General CommentOne of U2's most moving songs, this is most definitely about the "bridegroom" relationship of Christ and the church. The lyrics "Take my hand/You know I'll be there/If you can/I'll cross the sky for your love/For I have promised/Oh, to be with you tonight/And for the time that will come" clearly speak of Christ's gift of eternal life and love. His promise is reinforced with the lyrics, "His love will last/His love will last forever." This song is a strong source of encouragement and comfort for me, reminding me that I have a Savior who not only cared to save the world, He cared to save ME, and He desperately wants to be with ME, should I choose to "Hold on, hold on tightly/To this love, last forever."
    emann333on June 12, 2002   Link
  • +3
    General CommentPart of the lyrics are taken from the bible....

    Even the youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
    Isaiah 40v28-31
    hairydonuton January 02, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General CommentThis is my favourite U2 song. I didnt know it was about Adam, but it certainly makes sense. I love this tune.
    NobodyHereon July 10, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Commentperhaps there are religious overtones (there are a lot of religious overtones on War) but this song was written for Clayton, who had substance abuse problems at the time
    ilikestuffandyouon January 14, 2006   Link
  • +2
    Song MeaningI'm not religious, but this song made me cry, because it's so deep and beautiful. It's clearly about Jesus and someone who's struggling to keep his faith.
    vittauon December 16, 2009   Link
  • +2
    General Commentsome songs, like other works of art, are divinely inspired, even if not knowingly so. with wings like eagles . . . not grow weary, as noted already, also is found in Isaiah. I used to listen to this song over and over as a very young lad when the album came out and not know why . . . the echoes of this song bounced around my mind at a critical time many years later and now I know why.

    I'll Cross the sky for your love . . . that has only happened once in the last two thousand years . . .
    deusamaon August 31, 2011   Link
  • +2
    General CommentWhen I was 15, I bought this album. I used to listen to this song over, and over, and over again. I can remember clearly just crying sometimes while listening to this song. Years later I became a drug addict and a miserable person without hope. When I finally decided 'enough was enough', I was lying in bed, and this song came to my head! All the words....everything......I never really believed in God -- well, I did, but I thought He hated me....because I was a sinner.

    Now, I realize that God was at the door waiting for me all along....I have been born-again....baptized....saved......now, when I hear this song, I get 'God-bumps'....I realize that the song was inspired by God -- all the right people 'the lost' heard it, and will continue to hear it....and, they will know that God's love is never-ending....
    Melinon November 02, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General CommentIn the song "Peace on Earth" on the ATYCLB album, there is a reference to the phrase, "Drowning Man". It says "Jesus can you take the time/To throw a DROWNING MAN a line/peace on earth..." I think drowning man could mean a man who is struggling with his faith. He is a believer, but is finding it hard with all of the awful things that are happening in the world. just my opinion...
    skycaton October 17, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Commentyep agree wit every1
    firthelementon October 11, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentApart from Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year's Day, this was the first song I really liked when I bought the album.
    pappy05on August 24, 2005   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top