Sinkin` Soon
Norah Jones Lyrics

We're an oyster cracker on the stew
We are small and insignificant, like an oyster cracker in a large pot of stew.

And the honey in the tea
We are a sweet addition, like honey in tea, to the larger picture of life.

We're the sugar cubes, one lump or two
We add flavor and sweetness, like sugar cubes, to the black coffee of existence.

In the black coffee
Life can be dark and bitter, like black coffee.

The golden crust on an apple pie
We are a pleasing exterior, like the golden crust on an apple pie, that people enjoy looking at.

That shines in the sun at noon
Our exterior may shine like the sun at noon, but it will not last forever.

We're a wheel of cheese high in the sky
We are high up and seemingly unshakeable, like a big wheel of cheese in the sky.

But we're gonna be sinkin' soon
Despite our seeming invincibility, we are all susceptible to sinking or failing at some point in our lives.

In a boat that's built of sticks and hay
Our foundation may be fragile, like a boat made of sticks and hay.

We drifted from the shore
We have lost sight of our original goals and have drifted away from what truly matters.

With a captain who's too proud to say
Our leaders or those in charge may have egos that prevent them from admitting their mistakes.

That he dropped the oar
They may have made a big mistake or error in judgment that is causing the current situation.

A tiny hole has sprung a leak
Even the smallest of problems can cause major issues or leakages.

In this cheap pontoon
Our resources or capabilities may be lacking, like a cheaply made pontoon boat.

Now the hull has started growing weak
Our foundation or structure is becoming weaker and more vulnerable to collapse.

And we're gonna be sinkin' soon
The situation is dire and we are likely to fail or suffer major consequences soon.

Everybody hold your breath
Everyone must prepare for the worst and hold their breath as the situation worsens.

'Cause we're gonna be sinkin' soon
The failure or collapse is inevitable and we must brace ourselves for it.

And down and down we go
We are spiraling down towards disaster and there seems to be no stopping it.

Like the oyster cracker on the stew
We will eventually become insignificant once again, just like the oyster cracker in the stew.

The sugar cubes, one lump or two?
Despite our struggles and impending failure, life goes on and people will still ask for sugar in their coffee.

No thank you, none for me
Some people may choose to forego the small pleasures in life, like sugar in their coffee, when faced with life's challenges.

Well, we're gonna be sinkin' soon
The song ends with the repetition of the line that reinforces the message of the song: that failure is inevitable and we must be prepared for it.