Never Let Me Go
Florence the Machine Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Looking up from underneath
Fractured moonlight on the sea
Reflections still look the same to me
As before I went under

And it's peaceful in the deep
'Cause either way you cannot breathe
No need to pray, no need to speak
Now I am under

Oh, and it's breaking over me
A thousand miles out to the sea bed
Found the place to rest my head

(Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go)

And the arms of the ocean are carrying me
And all this devotion was rushing over me
And the questions I have for a sinner like me
But the arms of the ocean deliver me

Though the pressure's hard to take
It's the only way I can escape
It seems a heavy choice to make
But now I am under, oh

And it's breaking over me
A thousand miles down to the sea bed
I found the place to rest my head

(Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go)

And the arms of the ocean are carrying me
(So cold and so sweet)
And all this devotion was rushing out of me
And the questions I have for a sinner like me
But the arms of the ocean deliver me

And it's over and I'm going under
But I'm not giving up
I'm just giving in

Oh, slipping underneath
So cold and so sweet

In the arms of the ocean, so sweet and so cold
And all this devotion, well, I never knew at all
And the questions I have for a sinner released
In the arms of the ocean deliver me

(Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go)

Deliver me

(Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go)
Never let me go, never let me go)

Deliver me
(Never let me go, never let me go)
Never let me go, never let me go)

Deliver me
Never let me go, never let me go

And it's over
I'm going under
But I'm not giving up
I'm just giving in





Ah, slipping underneath
Wooh, so cold, but so sweet

Overall Meaning

Florence + the Machine's "Never Let Me Go" is a beautiful yet haunting song that speaks of surrendering and finding peace in the depths of the sea. In the opening lines, she looks up from underwater, and the "fractured moonlight on the sea" reflects in her vision the same way it did before she went under. It is as if she has found a place of refuge in the deep sea. The chorus repeats the phrase "never let me go," which may seem like a plea for someone to hold on to her. But, it's more of an appeal to the ocean, which she personifies as something that gently surrounds and supports her. The ocean is taking her far away from any pressure or responsibility that she's under, and in turn, she is safe and secure in its arms.


As the song progresses, Florence speaks of the peace she feels, even though breathing is impossible, and words or prayers are unnecessary when you're below the water's surface. She finds strength and refuge in the arms of the ocean, and it delivers her from the "questions I have for a sinner like me." Florence seems to be showing some vulnerability and self-doubt, but the ocean provides her with a sense of security, and she surrenders herself to it. The final verse suggests that the choice she makes to enter the ocean's arms is a heavy one, but she feels like she has no other choice. It's both fearful and peaceful for her to go under, and surrendering to the sea is freeing.


Line by Line Meaning

Looking up from underneath
I'm looking up from underwater


Fractured moonlight on the sea
The moonlight on the water is broken up into pieces


Reflections still look the same to me
The reflections in the water look unchanged from when I was above it


As before I went under
The world looks the same as it did before I went underwater


And it's peaceful in the deep
It's quiet and peaceful down here


'Cause either way you cannot breathe
You can't breathe whether you're underwater or drowning


No need to pray, no need to speak
There's no need to pray or talk, just let the water take control


Now I am under
I'm underwater


Oh, and it's breaking over me
The water is washing over me


A thousand miles out to the sea bed
I'm miles away from the ocean floor


Found the place to rest my head
I found a place to finally rest and take a break


(Never let me go, never let me go Never let me go, never let me go)
Please don't let me go, don't let me drown


And the arms of the ocean are carrying me
The water is holding me up


And all this devotion was rushing over me
I am suddenly overwhelmed by my devotion


And the questions I have for a sinner like me
I have many questions about myself since I am a sinner


But the arms of the ocean deliver me
The water is holding me up and giving me peace


Though the pressure's hard to take
The water pressure is difficult to handle


It's the only way I can escape
The water is the only way for me to escape from my problems


It seems a heavy choice to make
It's a difficult decision to make


But now I am under, oh
But I've made my decision and I'm underwater


A thousand miles down to the sea bed
I am miles away from the ocean floor


And the arms of the ocean are carrying me (So cold and so sweet) And all this devotion was rushing out of me
The water is carrying me and although it's cold, it feels good to me


And the questions I have for a sinner like me
I still have many questions about myself as a sinner


But the arms of the ocean deliver me
The water is holding me up and giving me peace


Deliver me
Please save me from drowning


And it's over I'm going under But I'm not giving up I'm just giving in
The fight is over and I've accepted my fate, but I'm not going to stop fighting yet


Ah, slipping underneath Wooh, so cold, but so sweet
I'm slowly moving down and although it's cold, it feels good to me




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL EPWORTH, TOM HARPOON, FLORENCE WELCH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@notmedicgoddess911

I'm so sorry for your devastating loss. ❤🙏🌹
I too have a sister, my baby sister, who I helped raise and adore.
Due to a car accident, we almost lost her when she was only 7-8 yrs old.
I was in HS and my world nearly ended.
Although we've long been adults, still now, I would be beyond bereft and devastated if anything happened to her.

I also lost my Grams, who truly was my very best friend in the world.
You've perfectly described and encapsulated how grief feels.
It sucks at and pulls us down into a bottomless abyss, and adds weight to keep you down on most days.
Then once in a while, we hear or re-listen to beautiful bittersweet songs, same with movies/shows/pictures.
Then we're lucky enough to be granted a small reprieve from all of that absolute f*cking (please forgive my language, but it's only way to truly honestly describe it) pain and sorrow, and truly begin to heal.
Though we most likely never ever recover, we adapt, we must carry on.
And through those reprieves, as you so wonderfully put it, we remember and regain our ability to celebrate the lives of our loved ones again, by trying to no longer allow grief to control us.
Someone else in this thread said that our loved ones want us to be strong.
These beautiful memories shared remind us that we are so much stronger than any of us ever thought we were capable of being.❤️💙

Thank you for sharing your special sacred memories of your lovely beloved sister.❤
Sharing our loving rememberances is how we keep our beloved loved one's alive.
I hope we never stop, so that they always and forever may live on.💛🙏🌹

Sophie and others on this thread, I apologize for such a long post, I just really wanted to express my sincere condolences to you and let you know that I see you, send you a virtual hug, my thoughts, and prayers.
Please hang in there, sweetheart ❤🙏🌹🩷

As HRH Queen Elizabeth II, may she RIP, has ever so eloquently, yet brutally honestly said, "Grief is the price we pay for love." ❤️💔🩷
And truer words have never rang more true.



@JesseScott2016

My cousin was only 22 when he left this world and the last time I seen him in person was around my 16th birthday he told me how Florence impacted his life when he was dealing with addictions and emotional struggles. He found comfort listening to her and one of his favourite songs was "Never Let Me Go".
He wanted to be a positive impact for so many people but didn't get the chance to be his authentic self, because he was turned away by people he cared for.
Everyday I wish I could be with him again and let him know how much he meant to me and how much he inspired me to be myself. He was one of the most accepting people i knew, and helped me find acceptance of my sexuality and who i am as a person. I wouldn't be who I am today if it wasn't for him.

This was one of the songs they played at his funeral. I had to do my high school exams and couldn't attend. But in June 2018 i was finally able to visit where he was resting. When i found "High on Hope" i played it while thinking of him and it was one of the most moving things i ever experienced. Thank you Florence for sharing your art with the world.

RIP Mitchell Austin Pinnell
1/9/1992 --- 5/24/2014
🌈❤️🧡💛💚💙💜⚰️🐘



@juansosa1670

Looking up from underneath
Fractured moonlight on the sea
Reflections still look the same to me
As before I went under

And it's peaceful in the deep
Cathedral where you cannot breathe
No need to pray, no need to speak
Now I am under all

And it's breaking over me
A thousand miles down to the sea bed
Found the place to rest my head
Never let me go
Never let me go
Never let me go
Never let me go

And the arms of the ocean are carrying me
And all this devotion was rushing out of me
And the crashes are heaven for a sinner like me
But the arms of the ocean delivered me

Though the pressure's hard to take
It's the only way I can escape
It seems a heavy choice to make
And now I am under all

And it's breaking over me
A thousand miles down to the sea bed
Found the place to rest my head
Never let me go
Never let me go
Never let me go
Never let me go

And the arms of the ocean are carrying me
And all this devotion was rushing out of me
And the crashes are heaven for a sinner like me
But the arms of the ocean delivered me

And it's over
And I'm going under
But I'm not giving up
I'm just giving in

I'm slipping underneath
So cold and so sweet

And the arms of the ocean so sweet and so cold
And all this devotion I never knew at all
And the crashes are heaven for a sinner released
And the arms of the ocean delivered me
Never let me go
Never let me go
Never let me go
Never let me go
Deliver me
Never let me go
Never let me go
Never let me go
Never let me go
Deliver me
Never let me go
Never let me go
Never let me go
Never let me go
Deliver me
Never let me go
Never let me go
Never let me go
Never let me go

And it's over
(Never let me go, Never let me go)
And I'm going under
(Never let me go, Never let me go)
But I'm not giving up
(Never let me go, Never let me go)
I'm just giving in
(Never let me go, Never let me go)

I'm slipping underneath
(Never let me go, Never let me go)
So cold and so sweet
(Never let me go, Never let me go)



@baddiemauve4958

[Verse 1]
Looking up from underneath
Fractured moonlight on the sea
Reflections still look the same to me
As before I went under

And it's peaceful in the deep
Cathedral where you cannot breathe
No need to pray, no need to speak
Now I am under all

[Pre-Chorus]
And it's breaking over me
A thousand miles down to the sea bed
Found the place to rest my head
Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go

[Chorus]
And the arms of the ocean are carrying me
And all this devotion was rushing out of me
And the crashes are heaven, for a sinner like me
But the arms of the ocean delivered me

[Verse 2]
Though the pressure's hard to take
It's the only way I can escape
It seems a heavy choice to make
And now I am under, oh

[Pre-Chorus]
And it's breaking over me
A thousand miles down to the sea bed
Found the place to rest my head
Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go

[Chorus]
And the arms of the ocean are carrying me
And all this devotion was rushing out of me
And the crashes are heaven, for a sinner like me
But the arms of the ocean delivered me

[Bridge]
And it's over and I'm going under
But I'm not giving up, I'm just giving in
I'm slipping underneath
So cold and so sweet

And the arms of the ocean so sweet and so cold
And all this devotion I never knew at all
And the crashes are heaven for a sinner released
And the arms of the ocean delivered me

[Outro]
Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go
Delivered me
Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go
Delivered me
Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go
Delivered me
Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go

And it's over and I'm going under
But I'm not giving up, I'm just giving in
I'm slipping underneath
So cold and so sweet



@winterwonderland4426

OFFICIAL LYRICS:
Looking up from underneath
Fractured moonlight on the sea
Reflections still look the same to me
As before I went under

And it's peaceful in the deep
Cathedral where you cannot breathe
No need to pray, no need to speak
Now I am under all

[Pre-Chorus]
And it's breaking over me
A thousand miles down to the sea bed
Found the place to rest my head
Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go

[Chorus]
And the arms of the ocean are carrying me
And all this devotion was rushing out of me
And the crashes are heaven, for a sinner like me
But the arms of the ocean delivered me

[Verse 2]
Though the pressure's hard to take
It's the only way I can escape
It seems a heavy choice to make
And now I am under, oh

[Pre-Chorus]
And it's breaking over me
A thousand miles down to the sea bed
Found the place to rest my head
Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go

[Chorus]
And the arms of the ocean are carrying me
And all this devotion was rushing out of me
And the crashes are heaven, for a sinner like me
But the arms of the ocean delivered me

[Bridge]
And it's over and I'm going under
But I'm not giving up, I'm just giving in
I'm slipping underneath
So cold and so sweet

And the arms of the ocean so sweet and so cold
And all this devotion I never knew at all
And the crashes are heaven for a sinner released
And the arms of the ocean delivered me

[Outro]
Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go
Delivered me
Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go
Delivered me
Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go
Delivered me
Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go

And it's over and I'm going under
But I'm not giving up, I'm just giving in
I'm slipping underneath
So cold and so sweet



@bethplowe

Looking up from underneath
Fractured moonlight on the sea
Reflections still look the same to me
As before I went under
And it's peaceful in the deep
'Cause either way you cannot breathe
No need to pray, no need to speak
Now I am under
Oh, and it's breaking over me
A thousand miles out to the sea bed
Found the place to rest my head
(Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go)
And the arms of the ocean are carrying me
And all this devotion was rushing over me
And the questions I have for a sinner like me
But the arms of the ocean deliver me
Though the pressure's hard to take
It's the only way I can escape
It seems a heavy choice to make
But now I am under, oh
And it's breaking over me
A thousand miles down to the sea bed
I found the place to rest my head
(Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go)
And the arms of the ocean are carrying me
(So cold and so sweet)
And all this devotion was rushing out of me
And the questions I have for a sinner like me
But the arms of the ocean deliver me
And it's over and I'm going under
But I'm not giving up
I'm just giving in
Oh, slipping underneath
So cold and so sweet
In the arms of the ocean, so sweet and so cold
And all this devotion, well, I never knew at all
And the questions I have for a sinner released
In the arms of the ocean deliver me
(Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go)
Deliver me
(Never let me go, never let me go
Never let me go, never let me go)
Never let me go, never let me go)
Deliver me
(Never let me go, never let me go)
Never let me go, never let me go)
Deliver me
Never let me go, never let me go
And it's over
I'm going under
But I'm not giving up
I'm just giving in
Ah, slipping underneath
Wooh, so cold, but so sweet



All comments from YouTube:

@madalenaveloso8103

"Because when people see good, they expect good"

@parigoel5

"And i dont wanna have to live up to anyone's expectations "

@parigoel5

😍😍❤️❤️

@idkrihana

Madalena Veloso and I don’t wanna have to live up to anyone’s expectations

@alexandranedelcu8781

omg...that line killed me _

@vivienneblaskura6525

Damon 🤒

7 More Replies...

@queenaddison853

Who else’s think of Damon and Elena first kiss with this song

@ellawilliams5299

Wasn’t their first kiss

@hiitslily1297

me

@hannahsmith7854

It was their second kiss

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