Noah Davis, Holy Water: inside the meaning of the lyrics

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Noah Davis is an interesting American singer, able to express some cool, modern music that people can love. His last song, Holy Water, became popular quite soon after the publication, with people showing great appreciation for the sound and the lyrics. Yes, because the song has some intense verse with a precise meaning, related to what being queer means. Let’s delve into the meaning of the song.

You can find the official streaming of the song below.

Noah Davis - Holy Water (official audio)

Noah Davis, Holy Water: the lyrics and their meaning

In Holy Water, Noah Davis talks directly with God. He’s asking Him why the whole world considers him a sinner, a person who should change the way he is. It’s a heartfelt song and the deep meaning of the lyrics is: I don’t need suggestions, help, like I need to fix myself; I only need to be accepted, the way I am.

In the lyrics he explains that everybody turns aways from him, including family. They all act like he’s intentionally living a wrong lifestyle and he should put all the efforts to change. Whereas, as he says explicitely, he’s just this way. Since he was a kid. And it’s so hard to cope with the fact that even your own family, that is supposed to stay forever, leaves you alone.

It kinda stings when your family leaves too
The people that you thought would stay
I read your book said I’m made in your image
Tell me why they turn away?

Being a child and feeling different from the others obviously creates several issues. Noah David admits that when he was younger, he prayed the Lord to make him normal, because the world made him feel wrong for the way he was. But despite the prayers, he is what he is. And according to the words of God (apparently the singer has a strong interest in understanding his personality on a religious point of view), he’s made in God’s image. So there is a contradiction: why nobody accepts him? Why they all thing he’s a mistake?

Then the chorus appears clear: I don’t need just sympathy, I don’t need ways to atone for my sins. That’s the symbol of the holy water, and it’s not what can make his life better. What can improve the way he feels is being accepted and understood. From this point of view, it’s meaningful that he uses, and refuses, the word sympathy, because he actually needs empathy, a different, deeper concept.

Holy Water
I don’t need your sympathy, sympathy
Holy Water
Just cause you think differently, differently

And the reason is that the way he is doesn’t depend on a decision. It’s his nature. He cannot change. And he cannot feel guilty about it. This is the meaning of the second part of the chorus.

I’m not broken save your breath
I won’t change no even if you drown me in

Therefore in Holy Water, Noah Davis sends an important message as a part of the queer community: we know what we are, it’s our identity, you cannot just blame us or consider us sinners, only because you are different. It’s time to start doing your effort to accept us. On this point of view, the meaning of the lyrics can apply to everybody who’s living a similar situation, and it’s understandable that the song becaome so popular.

Read other popular song lyrics and their meaning on Auralcrave

The complete lyrics

Oh my god, Oh lord
Can you hear me?
They say my love’s a wicked game
They made it seem like I woke up one morning
And decided I should be this way

It kinda stings when your family leaves too
The people that you thought would stay
I read your book said I’m made in your image
Tell me why they turn away?

I’ve been this way since I was 8
I cried right thru my pillow case
Praying lord, please take this from me

I’ve walked through hell & back again
Cause I’m a man who loves a man
No you don’t need to pray for me
No I don’t need your

Holy Water
I don’t need your sympathy, sympathy
Holy Water
Just cause you think differently, differently

I’m not broken save your breath
I won’t change no even if you drown me in
Your Holy Water

Pulled me down, pulled me down to the river,
Tried to wash away my sins
Picked me up, asked me if I felt different
No, I’m still in love with him

I don’t need your
Holy Water
I don’t need your sympathy, sympathy
Holy Water
Just cause you think differently, differently

I’m not broken save your breath
I won’t change no even if you drown me in
Your Holy Water

I’ve been this way since I was 8
I cried right thru my pillow case
Praying lord, please take this from me

I’ve walked through hell & back again
Cause I’m a man who loves a man
No you don’t need to pray for me

Cause I don’t need
Holy Water
I don’t need your sympathy, sympathy
Holy Water
Just cause you think differently, differently

I’m not broken save your breath
I won’t change no even if you drown me in
Your Holy Water

I don’t need your