WATER
POS Lyrics

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I've always loved the sound of rain
Touching so softly my windowpane
And then the scent of dew at dawn
Coming to greet me from my moist lawn
Home

I always took it for granted
I never valued the drops I shed

I failed to see the relation
Between my self and world starvation

Water's for the chosen
But how come we expect us to be those few
Me and you?

(In this hot, desolate timeglass I met this man, wearing a worn old flyer's cap
Every day he had to dig 10 feet down for his daily ration of water – one poor gallon
And so he did, singing while doing it)

10 feet of sand for the thirst
But he gave me half of what he was given for a day
All for thirst and sanity use
While we use up hundred times more
What do we do with it?
Pipes and bathtubs, sprinklers and fountains
Freshwater used as a dump for oil and nuclear waste
"Desert people turns humble" he said
They know what they have
But do they know what they lose when we flush?

(But yet, sadly, he looked up to me. Felt a need for our greed, our "freedom".
Said all he really wanted was a car and a radio. He too failed to see the relation
Between our lives and his starvation)

Water's for the chosen
Water's for the few
Water's for the chosen
Water's for the few
Life is for the chosen
But only if we believe it to be true
But we do!
But I'm through
I'm through
I'm through

I've always loved the sound of rain

Overall Meaning

The song Water by POS is a thought-provoking track that delves into the theme of water scarcity and its impact on human life. The opening lyrics 'I've always loved the sound of rain, touching so softly my windowpane' creates a sense of nostalgia, as the singer reflects on the beauty of water as a natural resource. The soothing sound of the rain is contrasted with the harsh reality of a world where people struggle to access clean water for their basic needs. The lyrics pose an important question, 'Water's for the chosen, but how come we expect us to be those few, me and you?' This highlights the inequality in the distribution of water resources and the need for collective action.

The singer encounters a man in a desert who has to dig 10 feet down to get one gallon of water for his daily use. In spite of his difficult circumstances, the man gives half of what he has to the singer. The song poses a contrast between the scarcity of water and the wasted use of freshwater for non-essential purposes. The lyrics 'Freshwater used as a dump for oil and nuclear waste' bring attention to the man-made pollution of water resources. The man in the song represents the 'Desert people' who understand the value of water in a way that consumers in developed countries fail to see. Through this contrast, the song highlights the need for a shift in our attitude towards the use of water resources.

The chorus 'Water's for the chosen, water's for the few' is a call to action, urging people to recognize the urgent need for equitable distribution of water resources. The lyrics 'Life is for the chosen, but only if we believe it to be true' reflect the singer's belief that change is possible through collective action. The song ends with the singer expressing his frustration, 'But I'm through, I'm through, I'm through', highlighting the urgency for immediate action to address the global water crisis.

Interesting facts:

1) The song Water is from POS's second album Never Better, released in 2009.
2) The song features a sample from the track 'Home' by Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros.
3) POS (Stef Alexander) is a hip-hop artist and producer from Minnesota.
4) POS has cited punk rock and hardcore music as major influences on his music.
5) The lyrics for Water were written by POS during a trip to South Africa, where he witnessed people's struggles with water scarcity.
6) POS has been a vocal advocate for environmental and social justice issues, and his lyrics often reflect this activism.
7) POS has collaborated with several other artists, including Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) and Astronautalis.
8) The music video for Water features footage of the water crisis in Darfur, Sudan.
9) POS has said in interviews that he hopes his music can inspire people to take action on issues like water scarcity and climate change.
10) POS is also known for his energetic live performances and has toured extensively in the US and Europe.

Chords: The chords for Water are not available at this time.

Line by Line Meaning

I've always loved the sound of rain
The singer has a deep appreciation for the calming sound of rainfall.

Touching so softly my windowpane
The singer describes how the rain falls gently, bringing a sense of calm to their surroundings.

And then the scent of dew at dawn
The singer delights in the refreshing smell of fresh morning dew, which they associate with a new day and new opportunities.

Coming to greet me from my moist lawn
The artist observes how the dew forms on their lawn, signaling the start of a new day with a sense of peace and serenity.

Home
The artist reflects on how their home is a sanctuary, providing comfort and a sense of belonging.

Water's for the chosen
The singer suggests that access to clean water is a privilege that not everyone has, and that some still face water scarcity despite the abundance of freshwater sources worldwide.

But how come we expect us to be those few Me and you?
The singer questions why society operates under the assumption that clean water is readily available to all individuals, when it is not the case for many in certain regions.

10 feet of sand for the thirst But he gave me half of what he was given for a day All for thirst and sanity use
The artist recalls an encounter with a man who had to dig 10 feet deep to gather clean water, illustrating the scarcity of clean water in certain regions. Despite this, the man willingly shared half of his water rations with the artist, demonstrating the importance of water for survival and maintaining one's sanity.

While we use up hundred times more What do we do with it?
The artist highlights the disparity between how much water individuals in certain regions use versus how much actually is needed, and questions what we do with the excess water that we have.

Pipes and bathtubs, sprinklers and fountains Freshwater used as a dump for oil and nuclear waste
The artist mentions the various ways water is used frivolously and how it can be manipulated or polluted, causing irreparable damage to the environment and living organisms that rely on water.

"Desert people turns humble" he said They know what they have But do they know what they lose when we flush?
The singer recalls something the man told them and suggests that desert people have an understanding of the scarcity of clean water and are therefore more appreciative of it. The singer questions whether or not they fully understand the impact that wasteful water usage in other regions has on the water supply in their own area.

Water's for the chosen Water's for the few
The artist reiterates that access to clean water is not a given for everyone, stressing the importance of acknowledging this imbalance.

Life is for the chosen But only if we believe it to be true But we do!
The singer acknowledges that living a fulfilling life is a privilege for some, but only if those individuals believe they have the power to alter their circumstances.

But I'm through I'm through I'm through
The singer conveys frustration and determination to take action in terms of water conservation, recognizing the significance of change in achieving a more equitable distribution of water resources.

Contributed by Isabella V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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