Across the Water
Vashti Bunyan Lyrics
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And wake at the back of noon
Drift through the hours as the sun gets lower
Till the days are lit by the moon
Every day is every day
Can′t tell one from the other
Wait to fall at the end of it all
As stones skip across the water
Lived on wit, got away with it
Hummed a universal tune
Found a thread away in the head
Followed it over the moon
Every day is every day
One foot in front of the other
Learn to fall with the grace of it all
As stones skip across the water
The Vashti Bunyan song "Across the Water" is a poignant exploration of the cyclical and often repetitive nature of daily life. The opening lines set the scene, inviting the listener to imagine falling asleep just as the sun is rising, only to wake up hours later, at the peak of midday. The lyrics suggest a sense of drifting aimlessly through the hours, as if time is slipping away without any real sense of purpose or direction. The phrase "drift through the hours as the sun gets lower" captures this feeling of ennui, as the singer of the song watches the daylight fade into darkness.
Despite this aimlessness, there is also a sense of acceptance at play in the song. The line "every day is every day" suggests that each day is just like any other, with no real sense of distinction between them. This can be read as a comment on the monotony of modern life, or as an attempt to find some sort of meaning or significance in these everyday experiences. The repeated imagery of "stones skip across the water" evokes the idea of life as a series of small moments that accumulate over time, like the ripples created by a stone cast into a pond. Ultimately, the song seems to suggest that even in the midst of this cyclical, sometimes frustrating existence, there is still beauty to be found in the simple act of moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Fall into sleep as the sun comes up
Drift off to sleep as the sun rises in the sky
And wake at the back of noon
Wake up in the afternoon, well after midday
Drift through the hours as the sun gets lower
Move lazily through the day as the sun begins to set
Till the days are lit by the moon
Continue through the night, guided by the light of the moon
Every day is every day
Every day seems the same as the one before it
Can't tell one from the other
It's difficult to distinguish between the different days
Wait to fall at the end of it all
Anticipate the end of the day with the hope of rest
As stones skip across the water
Like the smooth skipping of stones across water, implying a sense of peace
Lived on wit, got away with it
Lived through life using one's intelligence, and succeeded without being caught out
Hummed a universal tune
Sang a melody that anyone could recognize and relate to
Found a thread way in the head
Discovered a train of thought deep within the mind
Followed it over the moon
Pursued that train of thought through every twist and turn, much like following a winding path over the moon's surface
One foot in front of the other
Taking life moment by moment, and not trying to rush through it
Learn to fall with the grace of it all
Accept life's inevitable setbacks with poise and dignity, much like the grace shown when skipping stones across water
As stones skip across the water
Repeated again as a reminder of the peaceful, graceful imagery that underscores the song's message
Writer(s): Jennifer Vashti Bunyan
Contributed by Mia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.