Cold Water

Producers

Cold Water portrays a man living a hobo existence on the fringe of society. He endures hardships most would not, because he sees homelessness and poverty as the price of… Read More

Apr. 16, 19991 viewer12.2K views

Cold Water Lyrics

Well, I woke up this morning with the cold water
With the cold water
With the cold water
Woke up this morning with the cold water
With the cold water
With the cold

Police at the station and they don't look friendly
Well, they don't look friendly
Well, they don't look friendly
Police at the station and they don't look friendly
They don't look friendly
Well, they don't

Blind or crippled, sharp or dull
I'm reading the Bible by a 40 watt bulb
What price freedom? Dirt is my rug
Well, I sleep like a baby with the snakes and the bugs

Well, the stores are open but I ain't got no money
I ain't got no money
Well, I ain't got no money
Stores are open but I ain't got no money
Well, I ain't got no money
Well I ain't

Found an old dog and he seems to like me
Seems to like me
Well, he seems to like me
Found an old dog and he seems to like me
Seems to like me
Well, he seems

Seen them fellows with the cardboard signs
Scrapin' up a little money, to buy a bottle of wine
Pregnant women and the Vietnam vets I say
Beggin' on the freeway 'bout as hard as it gets

Well, I slept in the graveyard, it was cool and still
Cool and still
It was cool and still
Slept in the graveyard, it was cool and still
Cool and still
And it was cool

Slept all night in a cedar grove
I was born to ramble, born to rove
Some men are searchin' for the Holy Grail
But there ain't nothin' sweeter than a-ridin' the rails

I look 47 but I'm 24
Well, they shooed me away from here the time before
Turned their backs and they locked their doors
I'm watchin T.V. in the window of a furniture store

And I woke up this morning with the cold water
With the cold water
With the cold water
I woke up this morning with the cold water
With the cold water
With the cold

Well, I woke up this morning with the cold water
Cold water
With the cold water
Woke up this morning with the cold water
Cold water
With the cold

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About

Cold Water portrays a man living a hobo existence on the fringe of society. He endures hardships most would not, because he sees homelessness and poverty as the price of true freedom. Unlike others who follow a rigid purpose, the protagonist of this song knows no greater pleasure than “riding the rails”. However, the unhinged nature of Waits' delivery and the bluesy instrumental make it ambiguous whether this lifestyle is genuinely fulfilling. Ultimately the protagonist of this song is a man who cannot be normal or fit into society.