Muddy Water
Harper Grae Lyrics
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Nothing wrong with a little dirt under my nails
I played rough and I got the scars to prove it
I was taught to always give 'em hell
I can pray my way to Jesus
I can wear my fancy dress
But there ain't enough revival
I can make a million dollars
I can drive down every road
In the end it doesn't matter
'Cause everywhere I go
I'll always be my mother's daughter
My veins run with muddy water
I can't help but wonder where I'd be now
If I had greener grass underneath my feet
Lord Knows there's no changing where you came from
This muddy water's always been a part of me
I can pray my way to Jesus
I can wear my fancy dress
But there ain't enough revival
To save me from this mess
I can make a million dollars
I can drive down every road
In the end it doesn't matter
'Cause everywhere I go
I'll always be my mother's daughter
My veins run with muddy water
Can't get clean when it's underneath my skin
Can't wash off what I was born in
I can pray my way to Jesus
I can wear my fancy dress
But there ain't enough revival
To save me from this mess
I can make a million dollars
I can drive down every road
In the end it doesn't matter
'Cause everywhere I go
I'll always be my mother's daughter
My veins run with muddy water
The opening lines of "Muddy Water" speak to an upbringing in rural, backwoods Alabama. The singer, presumably Harper Grae herself, is proud of her background, but at the same time acknowledges the difficulties that come with it. She played rough as a kid and has scars to show for it, indicating a tough and perhaps impoverished upbringing. The repeated refrain, "My veins run with muddy water," is a metaphor for this heritage, and suggests that no matter how far she goes and what she accomplishes in life, she'll never be able to shake off this part of her identity.
Despite her roots, the singer is not resigned to a life of poverty and struggle. She acknowledges that she has options in life, but recognizes that some things cannot be changed. "Lord knows there's no changing where you came from," she sings. She can perhaps "make a million dollars" and "drive down every road," but in the end she cannot escape who she is and where she comes from. She can try to dress up and put on a façade, but ultimately, her true nature will always shine through.
The song illustrates the struggle that many individuals face in reconciling their identity with their aspirations in life, and the difficulty of breaking away from the circumstances of one's upbringing. In Harper Grae's case, her pride in her heritage is palpable, but so too is her realization that it forms an integral part of who she is, and cannot be left behind.
Line by Line Meaning
I grew up in the ditches of Alabama
I was raised in a modest and less affluent area in Alabama
Nothing wrong with a little dirt under my nails
Growing up with a little dirt in your life is okay and doesn't always have to be a negative thing
I played rough and I got the scars to prove it
I grew up not afraid to get dirty and often got injured as a result
I was taught to always give 'em hell
I was raised to always stand up for myself and never back down from a challenge
I can pray my way to Jesus
I can turn to religion in times of need
I can wear my fancy dress
I can make myself look nice and presentable
But there ain't enough revival
But even with these actions, I can't completely escape my past and my roots
To save me from this mess
To fully rid myself of the struggles of my upbringing
I can make a million dollars
Even with financial success
I can drive down every road
Even with worldly experiences
In the end it doesn't matter
Ultimately, my roots and upbringing will always be a part of who I am
'Cause everywhere I go
No matter where I am in life or where I go
I'll always be my mother's daughter
I will always be a reflection of my mother and her upbringing
My veins run with muddy water
The struggles and challenges of my upbringing will always be a part of me and flow through my veins
Can't get clean when it's underneath my skin
I can't fully escape my past and my roots
Can't wash off what I was born in
I can't change where I came from and the struggles that came with it
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Craig Wilson, Harper Grae, Lena Stone
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@glennmorris371
Such a stunning girl with a stunning voice... The song never gets old.
@kittymachine3798
Dang. I NEVER listen to country music, but this was gorgeous and dynamic. Brava!!!! 🌹
@JueNekoshippo
how does this not have more likes??? love it <3
@DesuUsagi
This song is so powerful!
@the-birbo
this is fantastic. i'm shocked this isn't the most viewed country music video. your voice is so unique yet so familiar i'm happy i found this
@afleming1207
Love this song, people often fail to take time to realize the "curse" is the "gift" that really never stops giving. The pain and power in your voice comes from everything that made you as you came up...doesn't matter if i make million dollars or travel every road always be my mother's daughter (always be me the good and the bad that makes me) thanks for a beautifully thoughtful piece of music and for being so open with your audience
@AnnaLivi
This is amazing. Truly amazing. Thank you for making this. Being a part of the LGBT+ community in the south is not an easy thing to do. You’re so inspiring.
@andreydias301
Perfect song ❤
@breakingnews2312
Love this song , it reminds me of my attitude , also reminds me of my mommy, that passed away recently !!!!!
@ghostgurl8861
love this💕☮️