Rasputina is a "cello rock" ensemble composed of singer/cellist Melora Crea… Read Full Bio ↴Rasputina is a "cello rock" ensemble composed of singer/cellist Melora Creager, and various, frequently changing band members. The current lineup includes Creager (cello), Daniel Dejesus (cello), and Dawn Miceli (drums).

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)

Sweet Water Kill
Rasputina Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Loose lips
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.

Watching saltclouds billow. Brimming and brand-new.
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...

Overall Meaning

In Rasputina's song "Sweet Water Kill," there are many references to water, the ocean, and drowning. The first line, "Loose lips sink ships," is a famous phrase from World War II that warned against careless talk that could give away military secrets and jeopardize missions at sea. The next two lines, "Salt sips, rose hips," could refer to the healing properties of salt water and rosehip tea, which were commonly used to prevent illnesses on long sea voyages. The rest of the song describes the singer's experience by the ocean, listening to its song and feeling its power.

The imagery in the lyrics is vivid and unsettling. The singer stands "drenched" by a "coral fence," watching "saltclouds billow" and feeling the churn of the water below. They seem to be in a state of trance, following the "bubbles" and the "swiftly sifting riptide" wherever they lead. The phrase "Sweet Water Kill" is also curious, as it suggests that the water that seems so alluring and soothing can also be deadly. The repetition of the phrase "You know that old song" near the end of the song reinforces the idea that the ocean's song is ancient, powerful, and perhaps even sinister.

Line by Line Meaning

Loose lips
Talking too much can cause problems.

sink ships.
This phrase means that small comments or actions can cause big consequences.

Salt sips, rose hips.
Perhaps a phrase that Rasputina likes for the poetic sound it makes; or, it could be referencing the taste and smell of the ocean.

All along it was the ocean's song
The artist is always connected to the ocean and its power.

That called me down to listen to her.
The artist is drawn to the ocean's song and wants to hear it more fully.

Standing drenched by a 40ft. coral fence
The singer may be literally standing by a coral fence and getting wet, or it could be a metaphor for being drenched in the ocean's power.

A swiftly dripping ripple.
The small ripples in the water suggest that more is going on beneath the surface.

Watching saltclouds billow. Brimming and brand-new.
The artist is watching something new and exciting happen before their eyes.

Down below, I will follow what bubbles tell me to.
The artist is following their intuition to take them further into the ocean's mystery and power.

Swirling still, in a Sweet Water Kill.
The artist is in the midst of a powerful current that could drag them down and kill them, but they aren't afraid.

A swiftly sifting riptide.
The current is moving quickly and could shift direction suddenly.

You know that old song. From far
The ocean's power is something that has been felt by many, and it has always been there in one form or another.

Far away. Not too long. Drifting along.
The ocean's power is vast and eternal, and the singer is just a small part of it.

Down in the Sweet Water.
The singer is deep in the ocean's power, and is loving it.

Dead weight sink straight.
This phrase means that if you don't swim with the current, you'll sink straight to the bottom.

Why?
This may be a rhetorical question - the artist knows why they want to be in the Sweet Water Kill, but others may not understand their fascination.

Standing still in a Sweet Water Kill.
The artist is in the midst of danger, but is unafraid and enjoying the power around them.

Swiftly sifting ripple.
A reminder that small things can have big effects.

Down in the Sweet Water.
The singer is still in the midst of the ocean's power and mystery.

Writer(s): Melora Creager Copyright: Touch Tones Music Ltd.

Contributed by Adeline N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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