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Beneath still waters
Harris Emmylou Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Beneath still waters
There's a strong undertow
The surface won't tell you
What the deep water knows

Darling, I'm saying
I know something's wrong
Beneath still waters
Your love is gone

Even a fool could see
That you'll soon be leaving me
But each and every heart
Must take its turn at misery

And this time it's me
And I'll cry alone
Beneath still waters
Your love is gone

Even a fool could see
That you'll soon be leaving me
But each and every heart
Must take its turn at misery

And this time it's me
And I'll cry alone
Beneath still waters
Your love is gone

Beneath still waters
Your love is gone
Beneath still waters
Your love is gone

Overall Meaning

The song "Beneath Still Waters" by Emmylou Harris is a story about a love that has gone wrong. The opening line "Beneath still waters, there's a strong undertow" uses water as a metaphor for the hidden emotions and feelings that are not visible on the surface. She reveals that something is wrong in the relationship, but the surface of the water shows everything is calm.


The song describes that even a fool can see that the love is gone and that the relationship is almost over. Emmylou sings the chorus with the deep realization that despite the smooth surface of the waters, the effect of the turbulence can be experienced below them.


The final part of the song is an acknowledgment that every heart must take its turn at misery. Emmylou recognizes the ending of the love she had longed for, and she knows that she will cry alone because he is gone. The song expresses the universal feeling of losing someone that you love and how even though the surface may appear calm, the feelings run deep within.


Overall, the song's message is that despite the surface appearing calm, there can be strong undertones of emotion and deep feelings that can be present in a relationship. Even though the water may seem still, underneath lies a strong undercurrent that pulls you in.


Line by Line Meaning

Beneath still waters
The deep emotions and feelings that lie beneath the surface of a calm or still appearance


There's a strong undertow
Despite the stillness on the surface, there is a strong force or pull underneath


The surface won't tell you
Outward appearances can be deceiving and may not reveal true feelings or intentions


What the deep water knows
The hidden or submerged emotions and thoughts hold the true story of a situation


Darling, I'm saying
The artist is addressing their partner in a tender or affectionate way


I know something's wrong
The singer senses that there is a problem or issue causing tension or distance between them and their partner


Your love is gone
The connection and affection that once existed between the two partners has disappeared


Even a fool could see
The situation is obvious and understandable to anyone, regardless of intelligence or perception


That you'll soon be leaving me
The artist anticipates their partner ending the relationship soon


But each and every heart
Every person experiences heartache, loss, and pain in their lives


Must take its turn at misery
It is unavoidable that one experiences hardships and sorrow in their lifetime


And this time it's me
The artist is currently experiencing heartbreak and emotional pain


And I'll cry alone
The singer will have to deal with their emotions and pain by themselves


Your love is gone
The loss of love and connection persists and the singer is left to cope with it




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dallas Frazier

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@TonyTheTruthWhisperer

Perhaps the purest, sweetest voice in country music ever.

@jackwalker1822

Have listened to countless Emmylou Harris songs over the last 41 years and this is still my all time favorite.

@joelwelch6923

Still waters run fast i found that out in 1983 floating down the Colorado in Parker,AZ..

@virgilharden5767

She was the Queen then and as far as I'm concerned she is still the "queen"

@lindapeterson9067

A Favorite of mine by Emmylou Harris!

@frederickvanpelt6393

I agree, heard this on a jukebox a lifetime ago and have loved her since.

@donjiron-kh4rt

What a beautiful gift God has given her! Bless you my child.
Use your precious gift for the honor & glory of God!

@user-kn6dh1sr7f

For over 50 years Ms. Emmylou could record another singers' song and make it better. She made the song hers. There'll never be another so gifted as she was in her heyday.

@raywarner2629

Emmy-Lou Harris' Beneath Stll Waters filtered memorably throughout NQ's Indigenous communities instilling faith in all things pure.

@joycemeade1971

My favorite female singer of all time.

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