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Run to the Water
Moddi Lyrics
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Run to the water
Cool as I am
I′ll give you shelter
This place is built to make you smaller
To keep your face out of the light
Around the city's growing taller through the night
Cuts though the air of foreign tongues
And you are back at where you started:
All alone
So fast as you can
Run to the water
Safe in my hands I′ll bring you home
There's nothing I can do,
There's water coming through, I can sense it
And I swim the whole night through,
But in spite of all I do I′m defenceless
So I′ll try to pretend I was always alone
And with a handful of pills I'll divide us
′Cause with millions of miles between arrow and bow
It is easier to kill it with silence
So to hide from our hundreds you went underhill
Where the treeroots grew into your bones
I tell all my friends you are living there still
In the teeth of the chaos above
Hammer hits head but the nail doesn't move
Though the blows throwing sparks all around
It is never too late
But today is too soon,
So for now you must stay underground
So fast as you can
Run to the water
The lyrics to Moddi's song "Run to the Water" convey a sense of desperation and a longing for escape and safety. The repetition of "fast as you can, run to the water" emphasizes the urgency and the need to flee from a place that is oppressive and harmful. The line "cool as I am, I'll give you shelter" speaks to the singer's desire to offer comfort and protection to someone who is seeking refuge.
The verse "this place is built to make you smaller, to keep your face out of the light" suggests a location that suppresses individuality and promotes conformity. It is a city where everything is expanding upwards, but the individual is left feeling alone and disconnected. The symphony of laughter in foreign tongues represents the feeling of being out of place and alienated in one's surroundings.
The lines "there's nothing I can do, there's water coming through, I can sense it" convey a sense of impending vulnerability and the inability to prevent something from happening. The struggle to swim against the tide and the feeling of being defenseless evoke a sense of powerlessness and despair. The mention of dividing with pills and killing with silence suggests a desire to distance oneself from the pain and find a way to cope, even if it means shutting off emotions or cutting off connections.
The final verses reveal that the person being addressed has chosen to hide underground, perhaps seeking solace in isolation. They are described as living in the chaos above, but finding comfort in the underground. The lines "hammer hits head but the nail doesn't move, though the blows throwing sparks all around" suggest resilience and the ability to withstand external pressure and destruction. However, the decision to stay underground also implies a temporary solution and a sense of waiting for the right time to resurface and confront the challenges.
In summary, "Run to the Water" is a song that explores themes of escape, protection, and the struggle to find solace amidst oppressive surroundings. It delves into feelings of isolation, desperation, and the longing for a place of safety and freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Fast as you can
Hurry as quickly as possible
Run to the water
Escape to a place of solace and peace
Cool as I am
Calm and collected as I can be
I'll give you shelter
I'll provide you with protection and security
This place is built to make you smaller
This environment is designed to diminish your self-confidence
To keep your face out of the light
To prevent you from being noticed or recognized
Around the city's growing taller through the night
The city continues to develop and expand rapidly
And then a symphony of laughter
Followed by an outburst of joyous laughter
Cuts though the air of foreign tongues
Echoes across the atmosphere, amidst different languages
And you are back at where you started: All alone
And you find yourself in the same lonely position as before
Safe in my hands I'll bring you home
I will provide you with security and bring you back to safety
There's nothing I can do
I am powerless in this situation
There's water coming through, I can sense it
Water is seeping in, I can feel it
And I swim the whole night through
I struggle and fight all night long
But in spite of all I do I'm defenceless
Despite my efforts, I am unable to protect myself
So I'll try to pretend I was always alone
I will attempt to convince myself that I have always been solitary
And with a handful of pills I'll divide us
And with a small quantity of medication, I'll separate us
'Cause with millions of miles between arrow and bow
Because there is a great distance between the weapon and its target
It is easier to kill it with silence
Silence becomes the easier method to put an end to it
So to hide from our hundreds you went underhill
To escape from the overwhelming crowd, you sought refuge underground
Where the treeroots grew into your bones
Where the roots of the trees intertwined with your very being
I tell all my friends you are living there still
I inform all my acquaintances that you continue to reside in that place
In the teeth of the chaos above
Amidst the tumultuous disorder happening above ground
Hammer hits head but the nail doesn't move
The forceful strike hits the head but fails to dislodge the nail
Though the blows throwing sparks all around
Although the hits create sparks in all directions
It is never too late
There is always a chance for redemption
But today is too soon
But at this moment, it is too early for change
So for now you must stay underground
Therefore, presently, you must remain hidden beneath the surface
So fast as you can
Hurry as quickly as possible
Run to the water
Escape to a place of solace and peace
Writer(s): Lena Anderssen, Pal Moddi Knutsen
Contributed by Makayla W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Louise Ashlee
Seven years later and I'm still vibing this tune!
<3 Love from Australia
Elin Edberg
Moddi is among the best artists I've ever heard! Sound's a bit like Keaton Henson/Chris Garneau and it's absolutely mesmerizing. Can't wait to get a chance to hear him live next time in Oslo whenever that is :) If he doesn't come to Sweden first! Please come to Sweden!
TwenteHenna
I love this song and video so much. Moddi and Farao working together equals pure magic for me. :) I feel grateful for their music.
Chirag Agarwal
moddi, just can't get over with your songs. I stumbled upon one of your song (smoke) in soundcloud and can't stop listening to all of yours. loving it. hope you keep bringing in new tracks. keep up the good work.
Jayoenix
Lol same
cem
this song has always a different place in my heart. after watching the interview about his friend who diagnosed with serious mental ilness and her strugles, i understood the inner meaning of the song it's truly pure and meaningful i'd recommend everyone to watch the interview
Rohit Solanki
Link please
Nicole Watson
This is so amazing. Such pretty harmonies...Lyrics are exquisite, I appreciate your singing / writing with such emotion... It's beautiful.
Ashley Kerr
Just subscribed! Your voice is beautiful, and I love how your music inspires emotions!
Archangel Michael
I have just been a returning listener of yours, and I was blown away again, and made to cry. Now Moddi you owe me one hug