Still Water
Daniel Lanois Lyrics
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Where're you going with that confidence?
Sad eyes, sad eyes
Where're you going with that confidence?
I'm going to where the boats go by
Caledonia river flow so wide
I'm going to where the boats go by
Still water, laying over
Still water, laying over
Still water, laying over
Caledonia river oh, so wide
Wild eyes in the wilderness
Where're you going with the devil in hand?
Wild eyes in the wilderness
Where're you going with the devil in hand?
I'm going to build the bridges high
For working money, for working money
I'm going to climb the bridges high
Caledonia brother far away
Still water, I'm laying over
Still water, lay my body down over
Still water, laying over
Caledonia river far away
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Sad eyes in the weary night
Have you seen your brother?
Have you seen your brother?
Waiting by the river Grand
Caledonia river oh, so wide
Going to where the rain falls
Look for my brother
Look for my brother
Going to where the rain falls
Caledonia river far away
Still water, laying over
Still water, lay my body down
Still water, laying over
Caledonia river far away
The lyrics of Daniel Lanois's song Still Water evoke a profound sense of melancholy and longing. The song presents us with a narrator whose eyes are sad and who is questioning the confidence of someone else with sad eyes. The singer then says that they are going to where the boats go by on the Caledonia river, which flows wide. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the journey of life, with the singer unsure of where they are going but feeling drawn towards the wide expanse of the river.
The second verse introduces the idea of "wild eyes in the wilderness," which could represent the darker, more chaotic aspects of life. The singer says that they are going to build bridges high for working money and climb them in search of something or someone far away. This could be seen as a metaphor for striving towards a better life or for looking for something that is elusive and hard to find. The repeated refrain of "still water, laying over" gives the impression of a sense of stillness, a moment of pause between the turbulent currents of life.
The final verse introduces the idea of a brother waiting by the river Grand, and the singer says they are going to where the rain falls to look for this brother. It's unclear whether this is a literal brother or a metaphor for something else, but the image of rain falling adds a sense of sorrow and sadness to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Sad eyes, sad eyes
Addressing someone with sad eyes who appears to be lacking confidence
Where're you going with that confidence?
Questioning the person's destination given their lack of confidence
I'm going to where the boats go by
Responding with the location the person is headed to
Caledonia river flow so wide
Describing the location as a river in the Caledonia region
Still water, laying over
Referring to the river's calm surface
Wild eyes in the wilderness
Addressing someone with wild eyes in a secluded area
Where're you going with the devil in hand?
Questioning the person's destination while holding something negative
I'm going to build the bridges high
Responding with the task or goal the person is pursuing
For working money, for working money
Clarifying the reason for the task or goal
Still water, I'm laying over
Referring to the river's calm surface
Oh oh oh
Repeating a vocalization that does not hold significant meaning
Sad eyes in the weary night
Referring to someone's sad eyes again, this time in a tired setting
Have you seen your brother?
Asking if the person has seen their sibling
Waiting by the river Grand
Providing the location where the brother is expected to be waiting
Going to where the rain falls
Referring to a different location they are headed to
Look for my brother
Requesting assistance from someone to find their sibling
Still water, laying over
Referring to the river's calm surface
Caledonia river far away
Describing the location of the river as far away
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: DANIEL LANOIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BHAKTI
Larry Mullen Jr played drums and Adam Clayton played bass on this track in the studio.
A fan of U2 since October (the album), I'd say Eno and Lanois had a tremendous influence on U2. Helped them grow you their full potential.
So...my take is that Lanois is a great producer--listen to U2's pre-Lanois albums. And then listen to other albums produced by Lanois (Hothouse Flowers HOME comes to mind, Ron Sexsmith, etc.).
I don't think anyone is stealing from anyone. Lanois is known for creating this particular sound.
I suppose what I'm saying is Lanois producing U2, Dylan, et al., was a tremendous meeting of musical genius minds. I believe they all influenced each other.
But no stealing or ripping off.
;)
Henrik Sjöberg
Acadie is gem.... not a bad song on it.... a fantastic record, and it still holds up after over twenty years since its release...
yoteca
couldn't agree more. I discovered it just last year, instanty found the cassette tape and my car trips got elevated to a new high. Incredible album.
Aurora Suttell
This holds true, 8 years after your post. I think it is now safe to say that Acadie is a timeless classic.
Kelly Richey
Daniel Lanois is one of my ALL time favorite guitarists, sound designers, producers.....what a brilliant artist!
Myles Reed
@R Jones so true and so funny too!
Japhy
Agreed. Me too
beachdog67
The man does build one hell of a sonic structure, doesn't he?
Roland Enetorp Samuelsson
Kelly Richey Agree ❣️(From Sweden)
R Jones
@Soaring Hawk I would give two thumbs up but they only allow 1
jarret marcel
lanios is just such a master of atmosphere...his music is hauntingly beautiful