Wishing Well
Jill Barber Lyrics


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I’m wishing that my well does not run dry
I’m wishing that my well does not run dry
Because if it does then it won’t matter
How many tears I cry
I’m wishing that my well does not run dry
Because if it does I couldn’t bear the loss
If it does I couldn’t bear the loss
So I’m spending my last dollar
With every coin I toss
I am wishing that my well does not run dry
Then one day I dug a deeper hole
I dug a deeper hole in the ground
Oh and someday I will show you
Exactly what I found
The day I dug so deep inside my soul
So long as my soul does not run dry
So long as my soul does not run dry
You’ll know I’ll be drawing from it




Until the day I die
And I’ll be wishing that my well does not run dry

Overall Meaning

In Jill Barber's song Wishing Well, the lyrics speak to the theme of perseverance and the ability to continue on in the face of adversity. The metaphor of a wishing well symbolizes the hope that, no matter what challenges one may face in life, there will always be a reserve of strength and resilience to tap into. The repetition of the phrase "I'm wishing that my well does not run dry" underscores the importance of this reserve, and the fear of losing it.


The second verse takes a slightly different turn, with the singer digging deeper into themselves in order to find that reserve. This echoes the familiar notion that sometimes, the answer lies within - that we have the resources we need inside of us if we are willing to look for them. The final lines of the song tie the two ideas together, emphasizing that as long as the soul remains intact, the singer will continue to draw from it.


Overall, Wishing Well is a song that speaks to the importance of resilience and hope in the face of challenges, and suggests that if we are willing to dig deep and tap into our own inner resources, we can find the strength to overcome any obstacle.


Line by Line Meaning

I’m wishing that my well does not run dry
I hope that I will always have the resources I need to get by.


Because if it does then it won’t matter
If I run out of resources, nothing else will be important.


How many tears I cry
No amount of crying will help me if my well runs dry.


Because if it does I couldn’t bear the loss
I wouldn't be able to handle the consequences of running out of resources.


So I’m spending my last dollar
I'm using up all the resources I have in the hopes of keeping my well full.


With every coin I toss
I'm investing everything I have in order to keep my well full.


Then one day I dug a deeper hole
I decided to search deeper within myself for the resources I needed.


I dug a deeper hole in the ground
I looked for more resources within myself, even though it was uncomfortable or difficult.


Oh and someday I will show you
One day, I'll share what I found with others.


Exactly what I found
I'll explain how I discovered the resources I needed, so others can learn from my experience.


So long as my soul does not run dry
As long as I have inner resources, I'll be okay.


You’ll know I’ll be drawing from it
If you see me using my inner resources, you'll know I'm doing okay.


Until the day I die
I'll always need to draw on my inner resources for as long as I'm alive.


And I’ll be wishing that my well does not run dry
I'll always hope that I have enough resources to get by.




Contributed by Sarah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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