Daughter of a Dove
Moonface Lyrics


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The daughter of a dove keeps me
I have found a love among the thorns
Breakwater to the sea keeps me

There is an aging arm across a naked waist
There is a fallen tree against a perfect January snow
And that's as spiritual as I need to be
That's as spiritual as I need to be

We all know safety
Is a blessing and a curse
Like mary's baby
Staring back up at mary

So when they said "Turn up kick drum, turn up the snare"
I turned away to see my baby put a flower in her hair
Now I'm doing flips at the edge of the pool
Sophomore, junior, fool

The things I do and the things I say
I know they're more than just a little bit away from each other
More than just a little bit away
But people, I've been operating under the impression that that's okay

When all of your heroes have had their sons
And all of your heroes have had their daughters
And all of your heroes have left you
And all you have left is all of this water
Well all you can do, all you can do
Is secure your bird heart and sail towards the edge

But I am just an arm hanging in the sun
And that's as spiritual as I know how to be
Said that's as spiritual as I know how to be
Said I am just an arm hanging in the sun
Where the daughter of a dove keeps me

So when they said "turn up the kick drum, turn up the snare"
I turned away to see my baby put a flower in her hair
Now I'm just crossing shit off my list at the edge of the pool
5 4 3 2
The one thing the wise man would do is taste the rain
But the one thing that I'm going to do is take the name
My name is the babe
My name is the babe
My name is the babe
My name is the babe

Breakwater to the sea, that's as spiritual as I need to be
Breakwater to the sea, that's as spiritual as I need to be
A Breakwater to the sea, it's as spiritual, as spiritual as I need to be
The daughter of a dove keeps me
A break, breakwater to the sea
Just strong enough to hold back the waves
As they roll in, roll in, roll in, roll in, roll in
And I should have told you sooner I'll be relying on you baby
And I should have told you sooner I think you're just like me
And I guess I should've told you I am sometimes just an arm
Just another arm hanging out a window on a highway in the sun
Or a fallen tree against a January snow bank
Or a break, break, break, break, breakwater to the sea
Breakwater to the sea, it's as spiritual as I need to be
The daughter of a dove keeps me
A break, breakwater to the sea




Breakwater to the sea, it's as spiritual as I need to be
The daughter of a dove keeps me

Overall Meaning

The song "Daughter of a Dove" by Moonface appears to be about finding love in unexpected places, and relying on that love to provide protection and spiritual fulfillment. The opening lines describe a sense of security provided by the "daughter of a dove," and the "breakwater to the sea" that keeps the singer safe. This idea of protection continues through the song, with references to safety and security, as well as the physical image of an arm across a naked waist.


The song also touches on the idea of spirituality, with the line "that's as spiritual as I need to be" repeated throughout. The singer seems to suggest that he finds spiritual fulfillment in the simple moments of life, such as a fallen tree against a snow bank, rather than in organized religion or more complex belief systems.


Line by Line Meaning

The daughter of a dove keeps me
The person singing is being emotionally sustained by someone who is gentle and kind


I have found a love among the thorns
The singer has found love in a difficult or painful situation


Breakwater to the sea keeps me
A metaphor for something that provides protection and stability


There is an aging arm across a naked waist
Describes a moment of intimacy between two people


There is a fallen tree against a perfect January snow
Describes a beautiful and peaceful natural scene


And that's as spiritual as I need to be
The person singing does not require anything more than simple beauty to feel connected to a greater power


We all know safety Is a blessing and a curse Like mary's baby Staring back up at mary
Safety can be both comforting and limiting, much like the feeling Mary may have had looking at her child


So when they said "Turn up kick drum, turn up the snare" I turned away to see my baby put a flower in her hair Now I'm doing flips at the edge of the pool Sophomore, junior, fool
The singer recalls a moment when they chose to ignore external pressures and instead focus on a simple, beautiful moment with their loved one


The things I do and the things I say I know they're more than just a little bit away from each other More than just a little bit away But people, I've been operating under the impression that that's okay
The singer recognizes that their actions and words may not always align, but they believe that it's acceptable to be imperfect


When all of your heroes have had their sons And all of your heroes have had their daughters And all of your heroes have left you And all you have left is all of this water Well all you can do, all you can do Is secure your bird heart and sail towards the edge
When all the people you look up to have accomplished what they wanted, you're left with your own aspirations and should follow your heart towards your goals


But I am just an arm hanging in the sun And that's as spiritual as I know how to be Said that's as spiritual as I know how to be Said I am just an arm hanging in the sun Where the daughter of a dove keeps me
The singer recognizes their own limitations, but still feels spiritually connected to the person who provides emotional support and stability


The one thing the wise man would do is taste the rain But the one thing that I'm going to do is take the name My name is the babe My name is the babe My name is the babe My name is the babe
The singer reflects on what a wise person would do, but instead chooses to focus on their own identity and personal journey


Breakwater to the sea, that's as spiritual as I need to be Breakwater to the sea, that's as spiritual as I need to be A Breakwater to the sea, it's as spiritual, as spiritual as I need to be
Repetition of the earlier metaphor, emphasizing the importance of stability and simplicity for the singer's spiritual needs


Just strong enough to hold back the waves As they roll in, roll in, roll in, roll in, roll in And I should have told you sooner I'll be relying on you baby And I should have told you sooner I think you're just like me
The breakwater is strong enough to hold back the powerful waves, symbolizing the support and strength the singer receives from their loved one


And I guess I should've told you I am sometimes just an arm Just another arm hanging out a window on a highway in the sun Or a fallen tree against a January snow bank Or a break, break, break, break, breakwater to the sea
The singer reiterates their own limitations and the importance of their emotional support system


Breakwater to the sea, it's as spiritual as I need to be The daughter of a dove keeps me A break, breakwater to the sea Breakwater to the sea, it's as spiritual as I need to be The daughter of a dove keeps me
The repetition of the earlier lyrics emphasizes the importance of the singer's emotional support system and their need for simplicity and stability in their spiritual life




Writer(s): Spencer Krug

Contributed by Nathan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Andrew A

I would pay so much money to see this live

Stephanie Wright

I cried so hard when I first heard him perform this live.

Reece Conrad

I obsess over Spencer and fixate on a track or two for weeks and then leave it. I feel like it brings me to dark places. They are comforting, but dark. But I somehow keep coming back. These songs are precious to me. I share them with few.

future widow

I'm the same way.

Doctor Sushi

Such an awesome song.  Can't get enough of it!

Sea Glass

Transcendence.

Sabrina Ka

precious soul epiphany

gargoylegirlfriend

keeper of provisions

Emanuel Smedbøl

best

lewie spearman

UH.....wow...christopher walken wow.

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