Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: industrial
Song Meaning of “The Daughter Brings the Water” by Swans
When listening to “The Daughter Brings the Water” by Swans, it is easy to feel an overarching presence of emotion and struggle despite the minimalistic instrumental accompaniment. The lyrics of the song tell the story of a daughter who is given the task of bringing water to her family, symbolising a struggle against oppression and hardship. The line “She brings it from a distant spring, for none will come to fetch” is particularly impactful in showcasing the daughter’s tireless and thankless struggle. We can interpret this as a representation of the struggles faced by members in marginalized groups of society who are often the ones expected to bear a disproportionate burden of labour.
The song also evokes impactful images of the daily grind of a life of poverty and upheaval, as the singer proclaims “Dirty water, days are long, her father drinks the wine”. We can see this as a metaphor for the everyday struggles faced by those in positions of poverty, such as never ending toil and struggles against addiction. “The Daughter Brings the Water” is ultimately a meaningful exploration of the very real struggles faced by those in society whom society has too often overlooked or forgotten.