Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: folk
Song Meaning of “High Water” by Trampled by Turtles
“High Water” by Trampled By Turtles gives off the feeling of begrudged acceptance in life. It’s intensely relatable for anyone who’s experienced helplessness when faced with a situation that they feel they have no control over. The lyrics of the song poetically utilizes water as a metaphor for life, as it is something that people can be easily swept away by if they let themselves. Life can leave us feeling out of our depth, but the song encourages the listener that sometimes it’s okay to abandon thought and let life carry you.
The chorus of the song sings out, “Take me down, take me down, take me down to the high water / High water coming, something wrong with the sky tonight”. It’s a poignant reminder that with life, there will always be high and low points. This message is further pushed home in the bridge when the lyrics confess, “I’ve seen the darkest night of my life, guess that’s alright”. This sentiment speaks to the paradox that accepting and embracing life’s trials can bring a form of comfort in the midst of disaster.
“High Water” by Trampled By Turtles reveals the difficult truth that life isn’t always what we plan out for ourselves. The gloomy but uplifting tones of the song give it a distinct beauty and encourages the listener to ride out any life-related storm that comes their way.