Founded by Creager in 1992, they have long held true to their mission of enlightening the common man as to the power and versatility of the mighty cello. Historically influenced, and constantly costumed, Rasputina keeps a small legion of incredibly passionate admirers enthralled with their earnest musicianship. Considered to be quite a pioneer and visionary, Melora and her group have inspired countless young people to pick up the cello, and have re-inspired many uninspired string players. Rasputina considers this to be the finest payment for their work.
Professional involvements have included Nirvana, Ultra Vivid Scene, Marilyn Manson, Porno For Pyros, Belle and Sebastian,and Cheap Trick.
Former Members of Rasputina:
Julia Kent (89-99)
Kris Cowperthwaite (00-02)
Zoë Keating (02-06)
Sarah Bowman (06-08)
Jonathon TeBeest (00-08)
SweetWater Kill
Rasputina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
sink ships.
Salt sips, rose hips.
All along it was the ocean's song
That called me down to listen to her.
Standing drenched by a 40ft. coral fence
A swiftly dripping ripple.
Down below, I will follow what bubbles tell me to.
All along, it was the ocean's song
That called me down to listen to her.
Swirling still, in a Sweet Water Kill.
A swiftly sifting riptide.
You know that old song. From far
Far away. Not too long. Drifting along.
Down in the Sweet Water.
Dead weight sink straight.
Why?
All along it was the ocean's song
That called me down to listen to her.
Standing still in a Sweet Water Kill.
Swiftly siffting ripple.
Down in the Sweet Water.
You know that old song...
The lyrics of Rasputina's SweetWaterKill evoke a sense of surrender to the power and mystery of the ocean. The opening lines "Loose lips sink ships" serve as a warning against revealing too much, as secrets can be as dangerous to someone as hidden rocks are to a ship. The following lines "Salt sips, rose hips" conjure up images of sailors on long voyages, taking sips of salt water for lack of any other source of hydration, while rose hips were used traditionally to prevent scurvy. The singer of the song is called down to the ocean's song, standing drenched by a coral fence, and watching salt clouds billow. The bubbles below her reveal a path that she will follow, trusting in the ocean's guidance.
As the song progresses, the phrase "Sweet Water Kill" becomes more prominent, referring to a shallow area in the ocean where the water is calm and clear, but can also conceal a deadly current. The singer is still swirling in this area, caught in a riptide that shifts rapidly. The repeated line "You know that old song" suggests a sense of familiarity with the ocean and its power, as if it is an ageless force that has inspired countless songs and tales throughout history. The final line "Dead weight sink straight. Why?" reinforces the idea that the ocean is indifferent to human concerns and desires, yet its pull is irresistible.
Line by Line Meaning
Loose lips
Talking too much can cause harm.
sink ships.
Revealing secrets or sensitive information can be disastrous.
Salt sips, rose hips.
Salty drinks and rose hips are both natural, earthy elements that connect us to the world around us.
All along it was the ocean's song
The beauty and power of the ocean cannot be denied.
That called me down to listen to her.
The singer is drawn to the ocean's call.
Standing drenched by a 40ft. coral fence
The singer is standing near a massive coral formation, feeling the power of the ocean.
A swiftly dripping ripple.
The constant movement and flow of the ocean is mesmerizing.
Watching saltclouds billow. Brimming and brand-new.
The singer is observing the natural beauty of the ocean, admiring the salt clouds and the freshness of the water.
Down below, I will follow what bubbles tell me to.
The singer is open to following the guidance of the natural world around them.
Swirling still, in a Sweet Water Kill.
The water is calm but deadly, with a dangerous undercurrent.
A swiftly sifting riptide.
The singer is aware of the power and danger of the ocean.
You know that old song. From far
This line could suggest that the song refers to a traditional folk song or cultural reference.
Far away. Not too long. Drifting along.
The memory of the old song is distant but still present, drifting through the singer's consciousness.
Down in the Sweet Water.
The danger of the riptide is still present in the singer's mind.
Dead weight sink straight.
If someone gets caught in the riptide, they will sink quickly if they don't know how to escape.
Contributed by Caroline O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.