Water For The Wicked
FORD Robben Lyrics
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Have no place to rest
Given to their misdeeds
And driven from their best
And breakin' in to the midnight hour
A fire is in their breast
Water for the wicked
Just a drop to cool his tongue
The law will lower the hammer
From where will mercy come
So many burn with a fever
They're lookin' for relief
Greed becomes a desert
And it makes a man a thief
His life becomes a gamble
His mind is filled with grief
Water for the wicked
Water for the wicked
Just a drop to cool his tongue
The law will lower the hammer
From where will mercy come
If we seek
Will we find
Find the childlike heart we left behind
There is the light from which all mercy comes
Water for the wicked
Water for the wicked
Just a drop to cool his tongue
The law will lower the hammer
From where will mercy come
The lyrics to Robben Ford's "Water for the Wicked" explore the themes of sin, redemption, and mercy. The song begins with a description of "misguided people" who are lost and have "no place to rest" due to the misdeeds that have driven them from their best. Despite their internal struggle, they find themselves "breaking in to the midnight hour" with a "fire in their breast", feeling as though they have nowhere else to turn.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Water for the wicked" multiple times, emphasizing the idea that even those who have sinned and are considered "wicked" are deserving of some kind of mercy or relief. The song posits that everyone is burdened with some sort of "fever" that causes them to act out of greed or desperation and make mistakes. The lines "Greed becomes a desert / And it makes a man a thief" capture this sentiment well.
The final verse of the song offers hope for those who are seeking a way out of their internal torment. By seeking the "childlike heart" they left behind, they may be able to tap into the mercy that is available to everyone. Ultimately, "mercy" is presented as the antidote to sin and the only way to overcome one's past mistakes and find redemption.
Line by Line Meaning
All the misguided people
This refers to people who have lost their way and are no longer following the right path in life.
Have no place to rest
These people are restless and troubled because they are not doing what is right.
Given to their misdeeds
They are doing things that are wrong or immoral.
And driven from their best
Their actions have caused them to lose sight of their potential and become separated from their best selves.
And breakin' in to the midnight hour
They are acting out impulsively at night when they should be resting and recharging.
A fire is in their breast
They are full of passion and energy, but are not channeling it in the right direction.
Water for the wicked
Even the misguided and immoral deserve some mercy and compassion.
Water for the wicked
This line is repeated to emphasize the need for mercy for those who have lost their way.
Just a drop to cool his tongue
A small act of kindness or mercy can go a long way toward helping someone who is suffering.
The law will lower the hammer
The consequences of immoral actions will eventually catch up to those who commit them.
From where will mercy come
This is a plea for people to be more compassionate and forgiving towards those who have gone astray.
So many burn with a fever
There are many people who are suffering from their own actions and are in desperate need of help and compassion.
They're lookin' for relief
These people want to be free from their suffering, but often do not know how to break out of their destructive patterns.
Greed becomes a desert
Greed can lead people to a place of emotional dryness and emptiness.
And it makes a man a thief
Greed can cause people to do things that are morally wrong, such as stealing.
His life becomes a gamble
When people are living immorally, they are taking a risk with their lives and their well-being.
His mind is filled with grief
The emotional toll of immoral behavior can cause a person to feel sadness and despair.
If we seek
This is an invitation to actively look for something that is missing.
Will we find
This is a question that suggests that what we are looking for may not be easy to find.
Find the childlike heart we left behind
The childlike heart represents innocence, purity, and love. When people become consumed by greed and immoral behavior, they lose touch with these qualities.
There is the light from which all mercy comes
By reconnecting with their childlike heart, people can tap into a place of mercy and compassion.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL H. MC DONALD, ROBBEN FORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind