flood water
Nitzer Ebb Lyrics


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There was something in the way that the day broke

thunder rumbled in a darkened sky

wind in your hair, rain on your face

fire in your eyes with your head held high
I felt no pain as you walked away

I felt no pain it was no surprise

and I had to say that I know there's
No such thing as a free ride, yeah


There's no such thing as a free ride, yeah



I could see, I could see clouds coming


And I knew we'd soon be treading floodwater

I could see, I could see clouds breaking
And I knew we'd soon be treading floodwater




There was something in the way that our hearts flowed
Locked in the rhythm no need to try

there was something in the way that they grew cold

when the rain came and our innocence died

when the rain it came and we had to pay

had to pay for the free ride

when the rain came it came and we had to say

out loud what we felt down inside

and we had to say that we knew there's

no such thing as a free ride, yeah

that there's no such thing as a free ride, yeah

there's no such thing as a free ride, yeah



I could see, I could see clouds coming

and I knew we'd soon be treading floodwater

I could see, I could see clouds breaking
And I knew we'd soon be treading floodwater


I could see, I could see clouds coming


And I knew we'd soon be treading floodwater

I could see, I could see clouds breaking
And I knew we'd soon be treading floodwater



warm, like home, warm, like summers we were warm


Like home, warm, like summers we had known
And shared and cherished

back when we used to care about each other
And the feelings that we shared as


Hand in hand until we said there's no such thing as a free ride, yeah
There's no such thing as a free ride, yeah

there's no such thing as a free ride, yeah


There's no such thing as a free ride, yeah



I could see, I could see clouds coming

and I knew we'd soon be treading floodwater

I could see, I could see clouds breaking

and I knew we'd soon be treading floodwater



I could see, I could see clouds coming

and I knew we'd soon be treading floodwater

I could see, I could see clouds breaking





and I knew we'd soon be treading floodwater

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Nitzer Ebb's "Flood Water" speak of a turbulent and inevitable period of change. It seems that the singer has been living their life without acknowledging the warning signs of a looming change, and that as a result, they will soon be forced to deal with the aftermath of this storm. Through the imagery of powerful thunder, darkened skies, and rain on the face, the song speaks of a force that is greater than any individual, something that must be faced, but cannot be fully controlled.


The lyrics suggest that the storm is the result of the singer trying to take a shortcut, a "free ride" through life. However, this easy path has done more harm than good, as they soon find themselves trudging through the floodwater caused by the storm, with no easy way out. The storm represents the repercussions of their actions, and the realization that there is no such thing as a free ride. The singer has internalized this lesson, as seen in the repetition of the verse "there's no such thing as a free ride, yeah" throughout the song.


The lyrics of "Flood Water" can be seen as an allegory for the tumultuous ups and downs of life. The song suggests that no matter how hard we might try to avoid it, change will come, and we must be prepared to face it head-on. With its powerful imagery and introspective lyrics, "Flood Water" is a song that speaks to everyone who has ever struggled through a difficult time.


Line by Line Meaning

There was something in the way that the day broke
The day broke in a way that made me feel uneasy and uncertain


thunder rumbled in a darkened sky
There was a sense of impending danger or chaos in the air


wind in your hair, rain on your face
The physical elements were present and intensifying the situation


fire in your eyes with your head held high
Despite the brewing storm, you stood proud and resolute


I felt no pain as you walked away
Your departure did not cause me physical pain, but emotional turmoil


I felt no pain it was no surprise
I expected this outcome and was numb to the pain


and I had to say that I know there's No such thing as a free ride, yeah
Everything comes at a cost and there's no such thing as a gratis favor


There's no such thing as a free ride, yeah
Emphasizing the idea that everything has a price


I could see, I could see clouds coming
My intuition was warning me of the upcoming danger


And I knew we'd soon be treading floodwater
We were headed for trouble and there was nothing we could do to avoid it


There was something in the way that our hearts flowed
Our connection used to be effortless and natural


Locked in the rhythm no need to try
Our love used to require no effort, but that had changed


there was something in the way that they grew cold
Our love lost its warmth and passion


when the rain came and our innocence died
The storm was a metaphor for a crisis that shattered our naivete


when the rain it came and we had to pay
The storm brought consequences and we had to take responsibility for our actions


had to pay for the free ride
Our reckless behavior came at a cost


when the rain came it came and we had to say out loud what we felt down inside
The crisis forced us to confront our true feelings


and we had to say that we knew there's no such thing as a free ride, yeah
We realized that our actions had consequences and we had to pay the price


that there's no such thing as a free ride, yeah
Restating the idea that everything comes at a cost


Like home, warm, like summers we had known and shared and cherished
Recalling the warmth and comfort of happier times in our relationship


back when we used to care about each other
Reflecting on how the crisis had changed our relationship


and the feelings that we shared as Hand in hand until we said there's no such thing as a free ride, yeah
Remembering the love we once had before we learned the hard way that everything comes at a cost


There's no such thing as a free ride, yeah
Reiterating the theme of the song


and I knew we'd soon be treading floodwater
The impending danger is still present and unavoidable




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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