Swallows
Knife In The Water Lyrics

The lyrics of Knife in the Water's "Swallows" seem to speak to the singer's relationship with nature, particularly with regards to the swallows that inhabit their barn and house. Right from the beginning, the singer makes it clear that they have chosen not to interfere with the swallows, even though they have made their home in close proximity to the singer's own. The line "well I decided early on / if there's swallows in my barn / if there's swallows in my house / I wouldn't flush them out" seems to express a sense of respect for nature and the creatures that inhabit it, despite the inconvenience it may cause for the human occupants of the space.

As the song progresses, the singer seems to grow more attached to the swallows, expressing the sentiment that "one swallow in my hand / is worth two swallows in my hand / and all the swallows in my heart / across the corn and cotton beds." The sense of attachment and affection that the singer feels for the swallows seems to extend beyond their own living space, reaching out to the wider natural world around them. However, there is also a sense of uncertainty and apprehension, as the singer wonders "where they're coming from / or where they go / when evening slow." This seems to suggest a feeling of awe and respect for the mystery and power of nature, as well as a sense of vulnerability in the face of its unpredictable forces.

The final lines of the song take a more disturbing turn, as the singer declares that they "wouldn't give a damn / if every swallow in this land / and every bird in the world around / would die and hit the ground." This sudden shift in tone and sentiment is jarring, and seems to suggest a darker side to the singer's relationship with nature. The line "Malathion hold out / Hitchcock's word / the force of nature as perverse" seems to reference the destructive power of chemicals and pesticides, as well as the classic horror film "The Birds", which depicts a lethal swarm of birds attacking a small town. This suggests that the singer's relationship with nature is complex and multifaceted, encompassing both a sense of reverence and a sense of fear and danger.