“Holy Water” by Sevendust
It is possible, given the titular analogy, that “Holy Water” is an anti-religion song. What Lajon is alluding to throughout is the addressee being an enemy, a subliminal one who is negatively affecting him through gradual socialization, if you will. In the chorus, he goes on to more or less identify said enemy as “holy water”.
At first, that symbolism is confusing or unexplainable. But the bridge, once again indirectly and at least in part, alludes to the notion that he is speaking of someone who is trying to ‘save his soul’, i.e. a religious institution and perhaps more specifically the likes of Catholicism, since they are the ones mostly associated with holy water. Concurrently, whoever the addressee is implied as being an abusive and intrusive force.
Beyond that, it may be that the vocalist is resisting religion because he actually ‘loves the darkness inside’ of him. Or before we go any further, let’s say that there’s obviously a lot going on in this song, even in the first verse alone. But the lyrics are relayed in such a way that it’s challenging to ascertain what exactly is going on with the vocalist, especially considering that the addressee is never identified.
But presuming that it is the Church that Lajon is singing about, then conclusively and theoretically what he’s putting forth is twofold. First is that obviously, he does not view it in a favorable way. And secondly, he has decided to follow his own path towards “see(ing) the light” as opposed to the one they have set before him.
“Holy water
Drag me in the river
Sunday murder
Keep taking what you’re giving
Holy water
Go find your killing spirit right now
Someday I’ll see the light
I hope before I die”
Credits for “Holy War”
Sevendust bandmates Morgan Rose, John Connolly, Lajon Witherspoon and Clint Lowery wrote this song, with its producer being Michael “Elvis” Baskette.
Release Date
Fans of “Holy Water” can find this track on Sevendust’s studio album “Truth Killer”, which Napalm Records introduced to the marketplace in full on 28 July 2023.
