The song "Oats in the Water" by Ben Howard is a song about finding your own way and facing the consequences of your choices. The narrator is telling the other person to go their own way, as he will go his own way as well. He also talks about how life can be unpredictable, as is illustrated by the metaphor of oats in the water and birds on the ground. He recognizes that the other person might find loss and fear in their choices, but he urges them to keep going. The song is ultimately about having faith and the courage to embrace uncertainty.