Letter By The Water
The Japanese House Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Back down to the water front
Sunlit hue to keep my body warm
I guess you love this man, I couldn't tell
It's the cold wet hand against my mother's spell

Water bring my body in
I know she loves me through thick and thin
Slip into the water front
With your heart in your bag and your shoes taken off
I was so unsure you ever had the gall
Don't you understand I didn't need it at all

Water bring my body in
I know she loves me through thick and thin
Current come pull me down
I won't take a breath, I wanna drown

And I call on the water to clean
The remains of the dirt that it leaves
To be brave and alert and pristine
There's a stain in the heart of me

Water bring my body in
I know she loves me through thick and thin




Current come pull me down
I won't take a breath, I wanna drown

Overall Meaning

The Japanese House's "Letter By The Water" is a hauntingly beautiful song that describes an emotional struggle between the desire to be with someone and the fear of vulnerability. The lyrics start by describing the singer's return to the water front, which seems to be a place of comfort for her. The sunlit hue is a welcome contrast to the coldness of the water, which is associated with the mother's spell. There is a hint of jealousy towards a man who the singer believes the person she loves might also love. The water in the song represents the cathartic force which the singer believes can heal her. She pleads for the water to bring her body in, symbolizing her desire to be cleansed and made whole.


As the song progresses, the singer's vulnerability is revealed. She slips into the water front, symbolizing that she is now open and vulnerable. There is a realization that she never really needed the person she loved, which highlights the theme of inner strength and liberation. The singer then allows the current to take her, and wants to drown, maybe representing the struggle to let go of something. There is a metaphorical meaning here, where the water represents the healing power of nature, and the drowning symbolizes giving in to the power of the water, a transformational experience.


Line by Line Meaning

Back down to the water front
I am returning to the shore


Sunlit hue to keep my body warm
The warmth from the sun has enveloped me


I guess you love this man, I couldn't tell
I am uncertain if you love me


It's the cold wet hand against my mother's spell
I am rebelling against my mother's wishes


Water bring my body in
I want the water to take me in


I know she loves me through thick and thin
I know my mother will always love me


Slip into the water front
I am slowly entering the water


With your heart in your bag and your shoes taken off
You are here, ready to face your emotions


I was so unsure you ever had the gall
I doubted you had the courage to do this


Don't you understand I didn't need it at all
I did not need your love, I was fine on my own


Current come pull me down
I want to sink and be taken by the water


I won't take a breath, I wanna drown
I want to succumb to the water and die


And I call on the water to clean
I invoke the water to cleanse me


The remains of the dirt that it leaves
The water will wash away the traces of my past


To be brave and alert and pristine
I aim to be strong, attentive, and pure


There's a stain in the heart of me
There's something inside me that can't be erased




Lyrics Β© Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Amber Mary Bain

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Emma Chisholm

Back down to the water front
Sunlit hue to keep my body warm
I guess you love this man, I couldn't tell
It's the cold wet hand against my mother's spell

Water bring my body in
I know she loves me through thick and thin

Slip into the water front
With your heart in your bag and your shoes taken off
I was so unsure you ever had the gall
Don't you understand I didn't need it at all

Water bring my body in
I know she loves me through thick and thin
Current come pull me down
I won't take a breath, I wanna drown

And I call on the water to clean
The remains of the dirt that it leaves
To be brave and alert and pristine
There's a stain in the heart of me

Water bring my body in
I know she loves me through thick and thin
Current come pull me down
I won't take a breath, I wanna drown



All comments from YouTube:

Jason Reese

It takes a real soul to understand Amber Bain's music she is nothing but amazing! Late night car rides with her music are the best!

t n

That's pretty ostentatious of you, but okay.

The internet dudette

​@t n he's got a point. Some find her music odd!

Emma Chisholm

Back down to the water front
Sunlit hue to keep my body warm
I guess you love this man, I couldn't tell
It's the cold wet hand against my mother's spell

Water bring my body in
I know she loves me through thick and thin

Slip into the water front
With your heart in your bag and your shoes taken off
I was so unsure you ever had the gall
Don't you understand I didn't need it at all

Water bring my body in
I know she loves me through thick and thin
Current come pull me down
I won't take a breath, I wanna drown

And I call on the water to clean
The remains of the dirt that it leaves
To be brave and alert and pristine
There's a stain in the heart of me

Water bring my body in
I know she loves me through thick and thin
Current come pull me down
I won't take a breath, I wanna drown

zachreen zakariah

the kind of band u selfishly hope it won't blow up, because u wanna keep it all to yourself....this is amazing...

Brent P

They won't blow up dont worry. This music has soul and talent. People like mumble rappers on lean you can barely understand so your safe.

FabiContin

I found this band this week. Thats all I can listen to. I already can sing all the songs.

Isaac Viera

MissFabiContin haha funny cause it's not a band

FabiContin

I shortly after realized that lol

Jordan Weir

Song gives me goosebumps ❀

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