Although Uncle Tupelo broke up before it achieved commercial success, the band is renowned for its impact on the alternative country music scene. The group's first album, No Depression, became a byword for the genre and was widely influential. Uncle Tupelo's sound was unlike popular country music of the time, drawing inspiration from styles as diverse as the hardcore punk of The Minutemen and the country instrumentation and harmony of the Carter Family and Hank Williams. Farrar and Tweedy lyrics frequently referenced Middle America and the working class of Belleville.
High Water
Uncle Tupelo Lyrics
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Racing for the final word to come
Facing up, it's hard to stay devout
I can see the sand and it's running out
And it's running out
We quote each other only when we're wrong
We tear out the threads and move along
I can see the sand and it's running out
It was only circumstances
But it's the difference
It gets in the way
No race is run in this direction
You can't break even
You can't even quit the game
The current drags to the bottom
A hemorrhage that moves us around
It pulls and beckons in a strong direction
High water forever bringing us down
I can see the sand and it's running out
It's running out
It was only circumstances
But it's the difference
It gets in the way
No race is run in this direction
You can't break even
You can't even quit the game
Uncle Tupelo’s “High Water” is a song about the inevitability of time and how it impacts both individuals and society as a whole. The lyrics speak of a sense of urgency to face life head-on and make the most of it before time runs out. The song features lines such as “Try to face up to the blinding sun” and “facing up, it's hard to stay devout,” which suggest that individuals must face difficult truths and confront the harsh realities of their lives to make the most of the time they have.
The lyrics also touch on themes of accountability and responsibility. Lines such as “We quote each other only when we're wrong” and “You can't break even, you can't even quit the game” suggest that individuals must take responsibility for their actions and be accountable for the consequences. The final lines of the song, “High water forever bringing us down, I can see the sand and it's running out, it's running out” further emphasize the theme of inevitability and the fact that time will eventually run out for all of us.
Line by Line Meaning
Try to face up to the blinding sun
Attempting to acknowledge and confront the harsh realities of life.
Racing for the final word to come
In a hurry to find closure or resolution, despite the fact that it may never arrive.
Facing up, it's hard to stay devout
Despite trying to confront the truth, it's difficult to remain true to one's beliefs in the face of adversity.
I can see the sand and it's running out
Time is limited, and it's slipping away quickly, much like sand through an hourglass.
And it's running out
Emphasizes the sense of urgency and finality conveyed in the previous line.
We quote each other only when we're wrong
We tend to speak up and criticize only when someone makes a mistake, rather than offering praise or constructive feedback.
We tear out the threads and move along
We are quick to abandon a situation or relationship that isn't working, without attempting to repair the damage or improve things.
We can't seem to find common ground
Despite efforts to resolve conflicts, people can't seem to agree or compromise in a way that satisfies everyone involved.
I can see the sand and it's running out
Once again emphasizing the limited time we have to resolve these issues before it's too late.
It was only circumstances
Sometimes things happen that are out of our control, and it's not anyone's fault.
But it's the difference
Despite the fact that it wasn't necessarily anyone's fault, the outcome was still affected by those circumstances.
It gets in the way
These circumstances impede our progress or ability to resolve conflicts and move forward.
No race is run in this direction
We're not making progress towards a goal, but instead, we're moving backwards or getting stuck in the same place.
You can't break even
There's no situation in which you can come out even or break even, no matter what you do.
You can't even quit the game
There's no way to completely remove oneself from the situation, even if it's harmful or unproductive.
The current drags to the bottom
The situation is getting worse and worse, and there's no way to stop the decline.
A hemorrhage that moves us around
The situation is causing us pain and instability, as if we're bleeding out or hemorrhaging.
It pulls and beckons in a strong direction
The situation is forcefully pulling us in a specific direction, despite our attempts to resist it.
High water forever bringing us down
The situation is like a flood, rising higher and higher, and we're powerless to stop it from drowning us.
I can see the sand and it's running out
Once again emphasizing the limited time we have to turn things around before it's too late.
It's running out
The sense of urgency and finality conveyed in these lyrics is palpable, as if time is running out for everyone involved.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAY FARRAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind