Cover art for Salt Water by Ed Sheeran
May. 5, 20231 viewer56.7K views

Salt Water Lyrics

[Verse 1]
There's still so far to go and I can't feel my toes
When the rain soaks through the heels and slips to the sole
Yeah, the blades are two feet tall, I wade in green
I'm movin' forward, to where? God only knows

Feel the wind's harsh refrain like the clouds gripped my face
Saying, "It's alright to run from all this pain"
Oh, and when it's time to go with one last breath that's in my lungs
I'll scream, "It's all for love," I'll scream, "It's all for love"

[Chorus]
Come and kiss me, salt water
Oh, finally, I feel, at three or four degrees
I'm free in salt water
Embrace the deep and leave everything

It was just a dream

[Verse 2]
I can see it up ahead where the sky meets the ground
And after that, there's only moving grey
I am filled up with regret
With things I did or never said, just leave that well alone

[Chorus]
And come kiss me, salt water
Oh, finally, I feel, at three or four degrees
I'm free in salt water
Embrace the deep and leave everything
It was just a dream
[Post-Chorus]
(Ah-ah)
It was just a dream
It was just a dream
(Ah-ah)
It was just a dream
Was it just a dream?

[Bridge]
Now, I'm standing on the edge, gazing into hell
Or is it somethin' else? I just can't tell
When there's nothin' left, I close my eyes and take one step
And say, "Well, here it goes," I say, "Well, here it goes"

[Chorus]
Come and kiss me, salt water
Oh, finally, I feel, at three or four degrees
I'm free in salt water
Embrace the deep and leave everything
It was just a dream

How to Format Lyrics:

  • Type out all lyrics, even repeating song parts like the chorus
  • Lyrics should be broken down into individual lines
  • Use section headers above different song parts like [Verse], [Chorus], etc.
  • Use italics (<i>lyric</i>) and bold (<b>lyric</b>) to distinguish between different vocalists in the same song part
  • If you don’t understand a lyric, use [?]

To learn more, check out our transcription guide or visit our transcribers forum

About

This song bio is unreviewed
Genius Annotation

The song is about embracing suicide by drowning in salt water. It is the longest and the darkest song on Subtract, with Ed baring the darkness of his soul. It is perhaps the heaviest track Sheeran has ever released.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did Ed Sheeran say about "Salt Water"?
Genius Answer

“Salt Water” was written about some of the darkest nights into mornings, and the ‘what ifs’ surrounding those thoughts. It was the second song me and Aaron finished for Subtract and I really feel this and “Boat” framed what the record was early on.

and

So “Salt Water” is quite a dark song, it’s basically playing out what final moments would be. Jumping into cold salt water, and feeling at 3 or 4 degrees that you’re free. It’s one of the first songs I wrote for Subtract, again finished it by the English coast-line, and I really think it’s a really beautiful song on the album. I hope you like it.

– via Subtract Sundays

Official Lyric Video
Genius Answer

Live Performance
Genius Answer

Comments