Holy water
Smoke & mirrors
Boiling water
You'll disappear
I think by now i know
What evil really is
As pure as the snow
The taste on yr lips
By a small fires glow
When we were only kids
Someday everyone will know
Exactly what you did
Holy water
Smoke & mirrors
Boiling water
You'll disappear
Someday everyone will hear
Then they will know who you are
You'll have to bare the fear
Try to escape in the dark
Holy water
Escape in the dark

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in Gossip’s song ‘Holy Water’ are dark and unapologetically honest. The song is about the revelation of someone’s evil deeds and their eventual punishment. The repeated phrases of ‘Holy water’, ‘Smoke and mirrors’ and ‘Boiling water’ all work together to create a sense of judgment and purging. It is as if the singer is proposing a threat that through the use of these images, the guilty party will face a reckoning. The line, ‘As pure as the snow/ The taste on yr lips’ creates an incredibly eerie and unsettling image. It suggests that the person who has committed the evil deed has a certain allure and, perhaps, charm that initially draws them in.

The use of lines such as ‘you’ll disappear’ and ‘escape in the dark’ really emphasises the dangerous nature of this person and what they have done. The inclusion of ‘when we were only kids’ adds a further layer of depth to the lyrics. It suggests that the singer has known and experienced the wrongdoing of the guilty party for a long time. It is only now that they feel it is their duty to bring it to light. The decision to leave the final lyrics unfinished, ‘Escape in the dark…’ creates an air of uncertainty and leaves the listener to ponder the fate of the guilty party.

Line by Line Meaning

Holy water
Symbolic water that has been blessed, used for purification or spiritual cleansing

Smoke & mirrors
Dishonesty or deception, especially in order to gain an advantage or hide the truth

Boiling water
Intense anger or emotional turmoil

You'll disappear
Those who are deceitful or dishonest will eventually be exposed and lose their power or influence

I think by now i know
The artist has learned from experience and gained knowledge about the true nature of evil

What evil really is
Evil is more than just a concept, it is a tangible force that can cause harm and destruction

As pure as the snow
Something that is untainted or uncorrupted

The taste on yr lips
The feeling or memory of something that may seem pure or good, but in reality may be deceitful or harmful

By a small fires glow
Reflecting on a time in the past, perhaps a nostalgic memory of childhood innocence before experiencing the harsh realities of life

When we were only kids
A reference point in time where the artist believes they were innocent and free of the evils of the world

Someday everyone will know
The truth or reality will eventually come to light and be exposed to everyone

Exactly what you did
Others will become aware of the deceitful or harmful actions that were taken

Someday everyone will hear
The truth will eventually be made public and heard by all

Then they will know who you are
Once the truth is revealed, others will finally know the true character of the deceitful person

You'll have to bare the fear
The deceitful person will have to face the consequences of their actions and accept the fear or shame that comes with being exposed

Try to escape in the dark
The deceitful person may try to hide or escape from the truth, but ultimately it will catch up to them

Holy water
Symbolic water that has been blessed, used for purification or spiritual cleansing

Escape in the dark
Attempting to run away or hide from the truth or consequences of actions

Contributed by Jason M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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