Under The Bridge
John R. Shannon Lyrics


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WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE (Carole KingJeff Silbar)

Oh
It's hard sometimes
To let things go when you've held on so long
And it's all you really know

So
Love's let you down
And you have cried so many tears
That you feel like you could drown

Well there's everything new under the sun
Nothing you can do when there's nothing to be done
It's just water, only water, it's just water
Under the bridge

Try
To let you heart be free
Cause life's too short for you to waste it
Worrying about what used to be

Now
There's you and me
And we can wash the past away
Like deadwood to the sea
And there's everything new under the sun
Nothing you can do when there's nothing to be done
It's just water, only water, it's just water
Under the bridge

Cry if you want to
Cry if you need to
Let it all out let it all go down the river
Don't look back look ahead to the future
You can make it what you want it to be, want it to be

There's everything new under the sun
There's so much to do
Your life's just begun
And the rest is water, only water
It's just water
Muddy water
Under the bridge





Words & Music by Jeff Silbar and Carole King. ©2019 Copyright 1991 Lushmole Music (BMI), Silbar Songs (ASCAP). Lyrics courtesy of Lushmole Music.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Water Under the Bridge" by John R. Shannon delve into the universal theme of letting go of the past and embracing the present and future. The opening lines express the difficulty of releasing something that has been held onto for so long, even when it's the only familiar and comfortable thing known. The internal struggle of holding on versus letting go is poignantly captured through the metaphor of water - a symbol of flow and fluidity, hinting at the inevitability of change and moving forward.


The song conveys a sense of heartbreak and despair, acknowledging that love has disappointed and tears have been shed to the point of feeling overwhelmed and suffocated. The drowning imagery coupled with the emotional weight of past grievances paints a vivid picture of inner turmoil and emotional baggage that can weigh a person down. The repetition of the phrase "it's just water, only water, it's just water under the bridge" highlights the insignificance and impermanence of past hurts in the grand scheme of things.


As the song progresses, there is a shift towards a message of hope and resilience. Encouraging words urge the listener to free their heart from the burdens of the past, emphasizing the brevity of life and the futility of dwelling on what cannot be changed. The idea of washing away the past like deadwood to the sea speaks to the cathartic power of moving on and starting anew, symbolizing a fresh beginning and a brighter future ahead.


The poignant chorus, with its invitation to cry, release emotions, and look towards the unknown future with optimism, serves as a beacon of light in the midst of darkness. The imagery of muddy water under the bridge suggests that even in the messiest and most turbulent moments, there is potential for clarity and renewal. Ultimately, the song conveys a message of empowerment and self-determination, emphasizing the limitless possibilities that lie ahead when one chooses to let go of past grievances and embrace the journey of self-discovery and growth.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh
Expressing a sense of realization or understanding


It's hard sometimes To let things go when you've held on so long
Struggling to release attachments built over a long period


And it's all you really know
Feeling trapped by familiarity and habit


So Love's let you down And you have cried so many tears That you feel like you could drown
Heartbreak has caused immense emotional pain and overwhelm


Well there's everything new under the sun Nothing you can do when there's nothing to be done It's just water, only water, it's just water Under the bridge
Acknowledging the inevitability of change and the need to let go of the past


Try To let you heart be free Cause life's too short for you to waste it Worrying about what used to be
Encouraging embracing freedom and living in the present moment


Now There's you and me And we can wash the past away Like deadwood to the sea
Joining together to release the burdens of the past


Cry if you want to Cry if you need to Let it all out let it all go down the river Don't look back look ahead to the future You can make it what you want it to be, want it to be
Encouraging emotional release and focus on future possibilities


There's everything new under the sun There's so much to do Your life's just begun And the rest is water, only water It's just water Muddy water Under the bridge
Highlighting the infinite potential of the future and the cleansing nature of moving on




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Carole King, Jeff Silbar

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@thalloutboy

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Edit:
I completely forgot about this comment up until I saw some notifications for it just now. I was trying to make light of how men tend to overthink their reactions with women, but I believe I missed the mark. I’ll leave the original comment unchanged, but know that I don’t really stand by this anymore.

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77 More Replies...

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You mean "Spot the Weasel" right?

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