Waterfalls
Various Artists Lyrics

A lonely mother gazing out of her window
A mother, who is feeling lonely, is looking out of her window.

Staring at a son that she just can't touch
She is looking at her son, but she cannot reach out to him emotionally.

If at any time he's in a jam she'll be by his side
She will support her son whenever he needs her help.

But he doesn't realize he hurts her so much
Her son doesn't understand how his actions are causing his mother distress.

But all the praying just ain't helping at all
Despite praying, there is no improvement in the situation.

'Cause he can't seem to keep his self out of trouble
Her son continues to find himself in problematic circumstances.

So he goes out and he makes his money the best way he knows how
Her son resorts to earning money in the only way he knows how to.

Another body laying cold in the gutter
Someone else has died, and their body is left in the gutter.

Listen to me
The singer is calling for attention to the message of the lyrics.

Don't go chasing waterfalls
The singer is warning against making life choices that are risky and potentially dangerous.

Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to
She is recommending that people stick with the things they know and trust.

I know that you're gonna have it your way or nothing at all
The singer acknowledges that people want things to go their way, or they might abandon their goals entirely.

But I think you're moving too fast
Despite the singer's warning, she fears the subject is making unwise decisions too quickly.

Little precious has a natural obsession
The song shifts to a young woman named Little Precious who has an innate attraction to risk and bad behavior.

For temptation but he just can't see
She is unable to see that her desire for danger is causing her problems.

She gives him loving that his body can't handle
She engages in sexual activity that is harmful to Precious's male partner's well-being.

But all he can say is 'Baby, it's good to me.'
Despite the physical harms he experiences, he enjoys being with her.

One day he goes and takes a glimpse in the mirror
The male protagonist looks in the mirror and has a moment of contemplation.

But he doesn't recognize his own face
He does not recognize the person staring back at him in the reflection.

His health is fading and he doesn't know why
The male protagonist is experiencing health problems but does not understand why he is in this condition.

Three letters took him to his final resting place
He may have an affliction such as HIV/AIDS that has tragically led to his death.

Y'all don't hear me
The singer insists on continuing with the message of the song, despite opposition from the listener.

I seen a rainbow yesterday
The singer recalls seeing a rainbow recently.

But too many storms have come and gone
The message is that life is tough, and its hardships have been frequent and constant.

Leavin' a trace of not one God-given ray
Life does not seem to offer any optimism or hope.

Is it because my life is ten shades of gray
The singer doesn't know if her negative perception of life is due to pessimism or to real issues.

I pray all ten fade away
The singer expresses the hope that all her negativity will improve.

Seldom praise Him for the sunny days
She acknowledges not being grateful enough when things are going well for her.

And like His promise is true
The singer celebrates the truth of religious promises and an unwavering faith that things can change.

Only my faith can undo
Faith is what sustains her, and it is precisely what will provide hope for the future.

The many chances I blew
The singer laments the opportunities that she has wasted due to negative thinking.

To bring my life to anew
She wants to use her faith to reinvent herself and experience a better life.

Clear blue and unconditional skies
The song says that the world is a better place when the skies are clear and accepting.

Have dried the tears from my eyes
Good times and positivity have helped the singer heal from sorrow and sadness.

No more lonely cries
The singer has found contentment and peace, never having to feel alone again.

My only bleedin' hope
The singer has one hope for society that, like her, could find salvation through faith or through following a better path.

Is for the folk who can't cope
The singer addresses people who are struggling to keep it together.

With such an endurin' pain
This is a pain that seems impossible to overcome, and it has been around for a while.

That it keeps 'em in the pourin' rain
It's a painful existence that seems to never give anyone a break.

Who's to blame
The song calls attention to the main question: why has society struggled so much to cope with pain and adversity?

For tootin' 'caine into your own vein
One way that people have hurt themselves is by using illegal drugs.

What a shame
The song expresses sadness at the tragic consequences that come from drug use.

You shoot and aim for someone else's brain
Drug addicts are engaging in behavior that not only harms themselves but also others in the process.

You claim the insane
The song suggests that society at large will blame drug use on personal weakness or insanity rather than on larger social problems.

And name this day in time
The song questions the motivations behind social stigma, and society's ability to address the root causes of drug use.

For fallin' prey to crime
This is the implication that drug use is criminal activity or is synonymous with it.

I say the system got you victim to your own mind
The song says that society is failing those who are struggling with drugs by not looking deeply enough into the root causes of addiction.

Dreams are hopeless aspirations
The song acknowledges that people's aspirations might seem impossible to achieve.

In hopes of comin' true
People still hope that their dreams will become a reality.

Believe in yourself
The song concludes with a message of hope that people should trust themselves to succeed despite obstacles.

The rest is up to me and you
The song suggests that personal responsibility is vital to achieving success.