Shallows by Daughter Lyrics Meaning – Diving into the Depths of Emotion and Transcendence
Lyrics
Let the ground crack
Let me fall inside
Lying on my back
Lying on my back
Dry your smoke-stung eyes
So you can see the light
You’re staring at the sky
Watching stars collide
Watching stars collide
If you leave
When I go
Find me
In the shallows
When the time comes
On the last day
When they start to come down
Will you just
Will you run away?
Will you run away?
And let it all rain down
From the blood stained clouds
Come out, come out, to the sea my love
And just
Drown with me
Drown with me
If you leave
When I go
Find me
In the shallows
Lying on my back
Watching stars collide
Daughter, the indie folk band known for their ethereal soundscapes and poignant lyrics, presents a hauntingly beautiful narrative in their song ‘Shallows’. As one delves into the lyrics, one cannot help but feel submerged in the depths of its introspective journey. Through a veil of metaphor and melancholy, the song sketches a picture that transcends the here and now, coaxing listeners into a state of contemplative reverie.
The track seems to grapple with themes of finality, loss, and acceptance. It resonates with the feeling of confronting the inevitable tide of change and finding solace in surrender. It’s a lyrical deep dive that demands dissection, echoing in the hearts of those who have ever gazed upon their own reflection in life’s turbulent waters.
Echoes in the Water – The Resounding Theme of Acceptance
The opening lines, ‘Let the water rise, let the ground crack,’ serve as an invocation to embrace upheaval. The song doesn’t resist the notion of falling apart; it invites it, speaks to the natural occurrence of disintegration as part of a larger cycle. ‘Lying on my back,’ Daughter suggests a posture of receptivity, allowing oneself to be cradled by the very forces that threaten to engulf.
This acceptance of vulnerability stands as a testament to humanity’s resilience. It is the first step to growth and transformation, which the song seems to allude to, wrapping its tendrils around the concept that in yielding, there is strength to be found.
A Celestial Symphony – ‘Watching Stars Collide’
There is a cosmic quality to the mention of stars colliding. Daughter elevates the personal to the universal, suggesting that our struggles, heartaches, and endings are as impactful and grand as the death of stars. The imagery implies that from destruction comes creation—a rebirth of sorts that can only materialize once we’ve embraced our own downfalls.
In highlighting these astronomical events, the song potentially mirrors the internal cataclysms that shape who we are. The celestial collision symbolizes beauty birthed from chaos, echoing the beauty of acceptance in the face of adversity.
The Haunting Refrain – Seeking Solace in ‘The Shallows’
The chorus, ‘If you leave, when I go, find me in the shallows,’ plays like a siren’s call, beckoning a loved one to remain close even in departure. It speaks to a desire for proximity, a haunting assurance that even in letting go, there is a place where one can still remain tethered to another.
In this way, ‘the shallows’ materialize as a sanctuary, a spiritual meeting point between the departed and those left behind, a space where one can still find the essence of what was once shared and held dear.
Prophetic Undertones – The Inevitability of ‘The Last Day’
Daughter touches upon the eschatological with ‘When the time comes, on the last day,’ a line shrouded in the mystery of end times. The foreboding sense of a conclusion lingers in the air, paired with the uncertainty of one’s reaction—’Will you just, will you run away?’
This brings an existential quality to the song, as it confronts the listener with their finitude and the imperative to make choices in face of the unknown. Are we to flee from the end, or can we find the courage to meet it head-on?
Unraveling the Hidden Depths – ‘Drown with Me’
As the song cascades towards its climax, the entreaty ‘Drown with me’ could be interpreted as an invitation to fully immerse oneself in the emotional currents that life has to offer. It is a plea for companionship and understanding in the journey towards the inevitable.
Therein lies the hidden meaning of ‘Shallows’: a paradoxical call to dive deep, to not shy away from the intensity of living, and to find the beauty in the union that shared vulnerability can bring. It echoes the profound truth that we are not alone in our depths, for to drown together is to be seen, to be known, and ultimately, to be loved in our totality.
