WATER
Barry Louis Polisar Lyrics


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Water started long ago,
Water started long ago,
Water started long ago,
And it's still around

Dinosaurs drank water,
So did pre-historic men,
Women and republicans,
Lyndon Johnson and Ho Chi Minh.
You'd think it'd be gone by now

I need water, so do you.
It comes with thunder and with dew,
From Brighton Beach
To Timbucktu
And in my basement now

First you see a lightning flash,
Pretty soon you hear a splash.
Water causes diaper rash.
A Yo ho ho ho ho.

Water in a sulphus spring is hot,
Water that runs from a river is not,




Too much water makes things rot;
I think I'll drink some now

Overall Meaning

The song "Water" by Barry Louis Polisar is a playful and insightful tribute to the importance of water and its ubiquitous presence throughout history. The opening lines, "Water started long ago, and it's still around" underscore the enduring importance and necessity of water for all living things. The repetition of this line further emphasizes this point and draws the listener's attention to the fact that water has been vital since the very beginning of time.


The second stanza of the song is particularly clever in its inclusion of pre-historic creatures like dinosaurs and pre-historic men alongside more contemporary figures like Lyndon Johnson and Ho Chi Minh, and even women and republicans. This diverse group of individuals all required water for their survival, underscoring the universal importance of water across time and culture. The humorous line "you'd think it'd be gone by now" highlights the incredible resiliency of water and its ability to persist in spite of numerous obstacles.


The following lines focus more specifically on the experience of water, describing how it appears in the form of thunder and dew across diverse locations like Brighton Beach and Timbucktu. The mention of water in the singer's basement brings the conversation into the personal realm, suggesting that water is not only a universal necessity but also a crucial element of everyday life.


The final section of the song is playful and irreverent, with the repeated refrain of "yo ho ho ho ho" making the song feel like a silly sea shanty. Yet even in this amusing section, Polisar manages to convey important information about water, describing how its properties change depending on its source and how too much of it can be harmful. The final line, "I think I'll drink some now" reinforces the importance of water while also highlighting its simplicity and accessibility.


Line by Line Meaning

Water started long ago,
Water is a natural resource that has been present on this planet since ancient times, and still exists today.


Water started long ago,
Water is a natural resource that has been present on this planet since ancient times, and still exists today.


Water started long ago,
Water is a natural resource that has been present on this planet since ancient times, and still exists today.


And it's still around
Water has been an essential resource for ages, and continues to be readily available today.


Dinosaurs drank water,
Water is a resource that has been consumed by ancient creatures like dinosaurs.


So did pre-historic men,
Even pre-historic or ancient men were aware of the benefits of consuming water for their survival.


Women and republicans,
Regardless of gender or political affiliation, everyone needs water to survive.


Lyndon Johnson and Ho Chi Minh.
Even leaders of different countries realized the value of water for their citizens and themselves.


You'd think it'd be gone by now
Considering how long water has existed on this planet, it is astounding that it still persists today.


I need water, so do you.
Water is an essential resource for every individual, and required for their survival.


It comes with thunder and with dew,
Water can arrive as rain amidst thunder, or as dew during the early mornings.


From Brighton Beach
Water is not confined to one particular place, it can be found almost everywhere.


To Timbucktu
Water can be found even in remote places like Timbuktu.


And in my basement now
Water can even be found in our homes, like basements or plumbing.


First you see a lightning flash,
Thunder and lightning often precede rainfall.


Pretty soon you hear a splash.
Rainfall is the source of the splash, which is a sign of water coming down.


Water causes diaper rash.
Stagnant or contaminated water can have adverse effects like diaper rash.


A Yo ho ho ho ho.
This line seems to be just a filler and without significant meaning.


Water in a sulphus spring is hot,
Water from a sulphur hot spring is naturally hot due to its geothermal properties.


Water that runs from a river is not,
Water running from a river is typically not hot, but cold or lukewarm.


Too much water makes things rot;
Excessive water or moisture in a place can cause decay or fungal growth.


I think I'll drink some now
The artist reflects his own need for water and plans to consume some.




Contributed by Eli L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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