After breaking up with his girlfriend, moving out of his house, and joining a 12-step program for addiction, Ebert began work on a story about a messianic figure named Edward Sharpe. According to Ebert, Sharpe "was sent down to Earth to kinda heal and save mankind ... but he kept getting distracted by girls and falling in love." Ebert later met singer Jade Castrinos in Los Angeles, California, United States. In the summer of 2009, as Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Ebert and Castrinos toured the country with a group of fellow musicians in a big white school bus.
Its song "Home" was voted number 15 on the Australian Triple J Hottest 100's 2009 countdown, the largest music poll in the world.
Members:
Alex Ebert – vocals, guitar, percussion, piano
Jade Castrinos – vocals, guitar (Past member 2009-2013)
Nico Aglietti – guitar, synthesizer, keyboards, vocals
Stewart Cole – trumpet, percussion, keyboards, tenor ukulele, vocals
Tay Strathairn – piano, vocals
Aaron Older – bass, vocals, banjo, percussion
Josh Collazo – drums, percussion, vocals
Orpheo McCord – percussion, vocals
Nora Kirkpatrick – accordion, vocals
Christian Letts – guitar, vocals
Additional personnel:
Chris Richard – vocals, percussion
Anna Bulbrook – violin, vocals
Aaron Embry – keyboards, piano, vocals
Tyler James – piano, vocals
Ryan Richter – guitar, lap steel, vocals
Michael Farfel – announcer, management
Black Water
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drippin' down your face
Mountains in reconstitution's embrace
[Chorus]
Guns and steel
And the germs of love
Toe to toe
Guns and steel
And the germs of love
Blow for blow
For my aching heart
Black water
Spread your words on me
Waste me with a bang
You know, for posterity
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros's song Black Water invoke a strong sense of struggle and conflict, both internal and external. The imagery of black water dripping down the face can be interpreted as tears or sweat, both of which can represent the pain and effort required to face difficult situations. The line "mountains in reconstitution's embrace" expands on this theme, presenting the idea that even the largest obstacles can be overcome with hard work and perseverance. The chorus introduces the concept of love as both a weapon and a catalyst for conflict, emphasizing the idea that our most intense emotions can either hold us back or propel us forward. The repetition of "guns and steel" reinforces the notion of violence and aggression being a part of the human experience, while "the germs of love" suggests the potential for compassion and empathy even in the midst of conflict. Ultimately, the song captures the complexity of the human condition, showing how we must confront our inner demons and external challenges in order to grow.
Line by Line Meaning
Black water
Dark, polluted water
Drippin' down your face
Falling down, staining your face
Mountains in reconstitution's embrace
Nature reclaiming and rebuilding the mountains
Guns and steel
Weapons of war and destruction
And the germs of love
Emotions that spread and infect like a disease
Toe to toe
Face to face, in direct confrontation
In the world of mud
In a dirty, difficult, and chaotic world
Blow for blow
Returning every attack with equal force
For my aching heart
To ease the pain and longing of a broken heart
Spread your words on me
Force your opinions or beliefs on me
Waste me with a bang
Destroy me completely and dramatically
You know, for posterity
For future generations to remember and learn from
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ALEX M T EBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Michael-cr4wb
I don’t know what it is, this song just has a vibe to it. I love it. It’s dark, echoey, and just draws you in.
I used to listen to this album to and from work when I lived in Vegas and worked in Primm, but especially this song going down I-15 at 4am after my shitty shift and smoking a cig on my way home.
This album definitely had a day/night vibe to it. I’d listen to Om nashi me, 40 day dream on the 35 min drive to work, then this or Tool towards my resting spot.
@sharonb6479
Favourite one of the album, so amazing
@hxxvxnly
That harmonica solo ❤️🔥
@littlevader06
Hello there from class
@emre8919
Why do i get a chrismas song vibe but then dark