Washing Of The Water
Jools Holland Lyrics

River, river, carry me on
The singer wants the river to transport them away from their current situation.

Living river, carry me on
The river is personified as a living entity that can convey the singer to another place.

To the place where I come from
The destination of the river is the singer's place of origin.

So deep, so wide, will you take me on your back for a ride
The artist addresses the perceived qualities of the river and questions if the river can take them along.

If I should fall, would you swallow me deep inside
The artist contemplates if they take a misstep, would the river's depth provide some protection or cause more harm.

River, show me how to float, I feel like I'm sinking down
The singer doesn't know how to navigate the river, and it feels like they are drowning.

Thought that I could get along
The singer believed they could handle the situation before them, but now they feel overwhelmed.

But here in this water, my feet won't touch the ground
The water is too deep for the artist to stand in and seek support.

I need something to turn myself around
The artist admits they need outside help to alter their circumstances.

Going away, away toward the sea
The river leads towards the sea, marking a new journey for the artist.

River deep, can you lift up and carry me
The singer asks the river if it can carry them across it.

Oh roll on through the heartland
The artist envisions the river continuing to flow through the middle of the country.

'Til the sun has left the sky
The singer wishes for the river journey to continue until dusk.

River, river, carry me high
The singer still implores the river to lift them higher.

'Til the washing of the water, make it all alright
The singer's hope is for the river to cleanse them and make everything okay.

Let your waters reach me, like she reached me tonight
The artist alludes to someone else reaching out to them before and wishes for the river to do the same.

Letting go, it's so hard, the way it's hurting now
The artist needs to let something or someone go but is feeling intense pain about it.

To get this love untied
The singer needs to end a relationship, which will be difficult.

So tough to stay with this thing, 'cos if I follow through
The singer knows it's hard to walk away and risk facing their fears.

I face what I denied
The artist must confront something they have been avoiding.

I'll get those hooks out of me
The artist is determined to remove themselves from a problematic situation or relationship.

And I'll take out the hooks that I sunk deep in your side
The artist accepts responsibility for their role in the relationship's difficulties and vows to separate peacefully.

Kill that fear of emptiness, that loneliness I hide
The singer needs the courage to face their fear of being alone.

River, oh river, river running deep
The artist again beseeches the river to take them on a journey to escape their situation.

Bring me something that will let me get to sleep
The singer is in mental and emotional pain and needs something to soothe and calm them.

In the washing of the water will you take it all away
The singer hopes the river will cleanse them of their emotional distress.

Bring me something to take this pain away
The singer wishes for something to ease their emotional and mental anguish.