River Anacostia
PJ Harvey Lyrics

Oh my Anacostia
Addressing the Anacostia River, as if to express concern for it.

Do not sigh, do not weep
Trying to assure the river not to feel sad or hopeless about its condition.

Beneath the overpass
Referring to a location where the river flows.

Your Savior's waiting patiently
Implying that there is help or hope for the river, possibly referring to efforts to save or revive it.

Walking on the water
Metaphorically describing the act of intervening or helping the river as if one is walking on its surface.

Flowing with the poisons
Acknowledging the presence of pollutants or contaminants in the river.

From the naval yards
Implying that the source of some of the pollutants comes from industrial activities, such as naval yards.

He's talking to the fallen reeds
Picturing the act of someone communicating or paying attention to the dire state of the river and its surroundings.

Saying what will become of us?
Asking a rhetorical question about the possible outcomes or consequences of neglecting the river and its environment.

Wade in the water
Eliciting an image of diving or immersing oneself in the river, perhaps in connection with a religious practice to cleanse sins or impurities.

God's gonna trouble the water
Referring to a spiritual belief that God will create changes or disruptions that may be needed to transform or revive the river or its surroundings.

A small red sun makes way for night
Describing a natural event that signals a transition from day to night, possibly symbolizing the decline or worsening of the river's condition.

Trails away like a tail light
Depicting the fading of the sun's light as its rays stretch out like a tail light of a vehicle going away, possibly suggesting a sense of loss or sadness.

Is that Jesus on the water
Invoking a religious figure who walked on water, as if to suggest that someone with exceptional powers or abilities may be needed to rescue or transform the river.

Talking to the fallen trees?
Picturing a communication between a person and the trees, which may be seen as symbols of nature or the river's ecosystem.

What will become of us?
Repeating the same rhetorical question from earlier, as if to emphasize the weight and urgency of the situation.

What will become if God's gonna trouble waters?
Rephrasing the rhetorical question into a more direct and urgent tone, suggesting that the river's fate may depend on swift action or divine intervention.

Wade in the water, God's gonna trouble the water
Echoing the previous refrain, suggesting that immersing oneself in the river while trusting in God's transformative power may be the key to saving or restoring it.