Foy Vance is a songsmith born in Bangor, County Down, who is now living in … Read Full Bio ↴Foy Vance is a songsmith born in Bangor, County Down, who is now living in London. He released his first single "Gabriel and the vagabond" c/w with "Indiscriminate Act of kindness" on December 18th, 2006 on Wurdamouth Records. The songs "Gabriel and the Vagabond" and "Homebird" was featured in the second season of the US TV drama Grey's Anatomy and received an incredible response and demand to release the track as a single.

"Indiscriminate Act of Kindness", one of Foy’s most popular tracks "live" was featured in the a TV commercial for Great Ormond Street Hospital which was aired in the UK up until Christmas of 2006. Foy often uses alternative tunings for his guitar, for example the song 'Indiscriminate Act of Kindness' he uses the tuning CGDGCe.

Foy has previously released two limited edition EPs on Wurdamouth records; "Live Sessions and the birth of the Toilet tour" and "Watermelon Oranges". His regular piano player is London based composer Jules Maxwell.

Treading Water
Foy Vance Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I will not hang around
For one defining day
When I figure out
What's happening

You can't expect me now
To sit around and wait
And yet not scream and shout

Oh it's too late

I need you now
Show me your crown
Or to bless the ground
On the path that I've found
Or to give or to take
Know I don't mind what you say
But I can't keep treading water this way

Some send an angel down
Like in the days of old
And then I'm me surrounded
By a heavenly girl

And let him talk out loud
So that I can be sure
Beyond a shadow of doubt
Once more

Just how long it will take
For my soul to come down
It's always awake
And wildly roaming 'round

In this deserted place
Oh, but roses have been found
Resembling your face

I need you now
To show me your crown
Or to bless the ground
On the path that I've found
Or to give or to take
Know I don't mind what you say

But I can't keep treading water this way
No, I can't keep treading water this way

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Foy Vance's song Treading Water speak to a feeling of frustration and restlessness. The song opens with the singer proclaiming that he will not hang around waiting for a defining moment when he can figure out what's happening in his life. He acknowledges that he can't sit around and wait, but also can't keep treading water this way.

In the chorus, he asks for divine guidance, be it through an angel or a blessing, to help him along the path he's found. He doesn't mind what is said or done, as long as he's no longer stuck in place. He's searching for direction and purpose, but doesn't want to keep waiting in limbo.

Throughout the song, there's a sense of yearning for something more, a desire to break free from the rut of treading water. The idea of an angel conjures up the hope of something otherworldly coming to assist or guide the singer, reminding us that often we can't do it alone and need help from a higher power or outside forces.

Overall, Treading Water is a poignant and relatable song about the struggle to find direction and purpose in life and the frustration that comes with feeling stuck.

Line by Line Meaning

I will not hang around
I won't wait for a specific day to understand what's happening

For one defining day
A day where everything makes sense

When I figure out
The time when I comprehend

What's happening
What is going on generally

You can't expect me now
I can't wait anymore

To sit around and wait
I can't stay still waiting

And yet not scream and shout
And be quiet without any complaints

Oh it's too late
It's already too late

I need you now
I want your help

Show me your crown
Be a leader

Or to bless the ground
Make this way sacred