Nur Ein XVIII Round Zero "Sink or Swim"

[thelowestbitter]

oh wow another TLB song that's a metaphor for mental health, how original

The Lowest Bitter - Sink or Swim

"y'know, you gotta sink or swim"
(will you sink or swim?)
"y'know, you gotta sink or swim"
... I don't wanna go under

when I finally felt the summer,
sensed the water getting warmer,
thought the sea was getting calmer,
but every time I sighted the shore
held back in eddying,
caught up in a squall,
marooned in metaphor
I don't wanna dog paddle any more,
dog-tired in this dogged pursuit of something else
than just keeping my head above the water

they throw us in,
"y'know, you gotta sink or swim"
(will you sink or swim?)
but we're not really doing either,
tired bodies treading water,
always lapping against your chin
... I don't wanna go under

and now the days are getting shorter again,
yet more seasons adrift,
the jetsam to your spindrift,
and the winter sea - a roiling storm
pulls you ever further from that shore
so that time is but a metaphor -
equinox or solstice,
it's always saltwater
that's stinging your eyes evermore
just trying to keep your head above it all
... I don't wanna go under

they throw us in,
"y'know, you gotta sink or swim"
(will you sink or swim?)
but we're not really doing either,
tired bodies treading water,
always lapping against your chin
... I don't wanna go under

"y'know, you gotta sink or swim"
(will you sink or swim?)

I don't wanna dog paddle any more,
yet more seasons adrift,
the jetsam to your spindrift,
I don't wanna dog paddle any more,
but I,
I don't wanna go under

[CynicalMonkey]

Don’t have the chops or equipment to put in an entry but write something based on the prompt.

A log upon the fire, keeps the long dark nights on hold
Curled up beneath a blanket, night yet to unfold
Drinking cherry soda, the wine was turned away
Trading dreams and stories as night turns into day
Exchanging tender kisses, soft hand upon my cheek
I listen on intently, give her the room to speak
A secret shared discreetly, one held since October
The days of when we were a pair are counting down to over

I had to let you try
I had to let you see
To stand upon your own two feet
To do it without me
I wish for you success
I wish for brighter days
I would give it to you if I could
But I know you’ll find your way

A scent upon the air, fresh cut grass, sweet honey suckle
On the outside I seem strong, my knees just want to buckle
She tells me to brave, like I’m the one who needs support
But she always ran each room we shared, like she was holding court
Time passed by so quickly, left in wake without a care
Did I do enough for her, was I fully prepared.
An orchid in the sunlight, she’s my guide to thrive
As April rain begins to spit, you chose to arrive

Chorus

Our feet upon the sand, blue seas stretch on forever
A beaming sun upon our backs, make the most of time together
A world for me to show you, one corner at a time
A wealth of new experience, both yours, and hers and mine
You replicate the words you hear, struggle with the r’s
I place my hand upon your head, just proud of who you are
These endless days July provides, recall the ones that didn’t last
But those that do not feature you, seem like a distant past

Chorus

It weighs upon my brow, as you pack for cold yet to come
Have I been all that I could, done all that could be done
Did I slay your monsters, did I teach you to slay your own
Did we take the time to bask in you, before you became grown
All the would a could a should a’s clutter up my mind
Like fallen leaves upon our path, as we follow close behind
As September beckons your adventure, dive true and straight my daughter
I can but trust we played our part, as you navigate the water.

Chorus

[gizo]

The changing of seasons is a solid metaphor for beginnings and endings, and that's what this song is about.
I'm an old man, my kids are growing up and are getting close to the exit ramp of my supervision highwa, and I'm already missing them.
When I started being a parent, I had no idea what was coming for me - I doubt anyone can be prepared for that shift, you just have to jump in and start.
When these kids head out on their own they're going to learn a lot about themselves and the world around them very quickly - I can't prepare them for everything, and anyways, I wouldn't want to take that away from them.

So that's it. That's the song. I hope you like it.

Stacking Theory - Sink or Swim

sun rise
early in the day before our eyes
we waited long
waited all our lives ’til now
to find
the seed that grew a mind
sunflower arrives and shines

we go down to the water
jump right in
hold this son and daughter
sink or swim

pink skies
setting sun that falls before we rise
time is short
were short on time and trying
to hold on
to leaves already gone
our lonely limbs will sing a sad sad song

they ran down to the water
jump right in
farewell you son and daughter
gonna sink or swim
yeah they ran down to the water
jump right in
farewell you son and daughter
gonna sink or swim

[DutchWidows]

Hey all - my first crack at Nur Ein. Having broken my arm during SpinTunes, I'm hankering after some songwriting now it's (mostly) functional again!

Changing of seasons got me thinking about a relative with dementia who has little concept of time other than the passing seasons and whose spouse is finding engagement hard, so doesn't engage as much as they might otherwise. I wonder whether there's enough left of my relative to understand that - perhaps, sometimes - and this is from their point of view.

The Dutch Widows - Sink or Swim

You told me I could sink or swim
Didn’t care for the state I’m in
But the changing of the seasons and moments and reasons
Explain my suffering

The hours drag on by
And the weeks they seem to fly
Lucidity’s sporadic, yeah you make me panic
Not sure this can ever be fine

Spin spin enlivening
I’ll take the drugs and I will give you love

You told me I could sink or swim
But no-one’s really taken in
Your total lack of interest causes mental distress
There’s a hole where your heart had been

My days just crawl on by
And the seasons seem to fly
Autumn after summer yeah it’s such a bummer
Takes the glint out of my eye

Spin spin enlivening
I’ll take the drugs and I will give you love
Hey hey what d’you say?
Do you see the person you know I once was?

Lie down on the grass
You know this summer never lasts
Darling, hold my hand
Talk to me tonight

You told me I could sink or swim
Couldn’t deal with what was happening
Your conversation’s plastic life so inelastic
My patience is wearing thin

Winter’s drawing by
The windows frame my sky
There’s no rest for the wretched, the view’s quite majestic
Oh please just give me a try

Spin spin enlivening
I’ll take the drugs and I will give you love
Hey hey what d’you say?
Can you see the person you know I once was?

Lie down on the grass
You know this summer never lasts
Darling, hold my hand
Talk to me like you understand
You’re always in my head
I don’t know why
Cos you’re never here
Take me into town tonight

[Cybronica]

Sink or Swim
Cybronica


Honey bees find nectar
In the flowers of the trees
Colors fade and petals fall away

The leaves unfurl with splendor
In a vibrant verdigris
Feelings fade and lovers fall away

The thawing melts the glacier
Of the ice queen’s agony
Emotions in a torrent
Sweep me up and out to sea

I will sink or I will swim
We’ll find out by the days end
By the footsteps on the bank
Or their absence down the riverbend

I could thrash or I could tread
Crest the waves or find the riverbed
Still the water flows around me
Wrapping ‘round my face and head

Sink or swim…

The dawn comes early to the sky
Sunlight streaming through the window
Softly pooling on the pillow
Where your head no longer lies

I will sink or I will swim
We’ll find out by the days end
By the footsteps on the bank
Or their absence down the riverbend

I could thrash or I could tread
Crest the waves or find the river bed
Still the water flows around me
Wrapping ‘round my face and head

Sink or swim…

[glennny]

Cavedwellers

SINK OR SWIM
(loosely inspired by CS Lewis’
The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

V1
Promises of summer endless
Left me lonely lost and friendless
Winter took some time to take to
We all learned to live and make do

We’re all treading water
Since you went away
Better in the winter
Ice would not give way

V2
Suddenly green leaves surround me
Weeks of change immediately
Racing to the place of reckoning
Overhearing not expecting

We’re all treading water
Since you went away
Better in the winter
Ice would not give way

We’re all treading water
Since you went away
Better in the winter
Ice would not give way

V3
Funny how a word appearing
Can give two people
The opposite feeling
Alliances are reexamined
Undermined and change demanded

[arby]

Sink or Swim (Virgo Power)

winter's coffin's got me buried alive
sun far above like a painted sky
you're all going about your lives
while I'm at the bottom of the ocean

spring takes so long to arrive
we’re running out the clock on life
soon winter winds will cut like a knife
just when I got used to summer

fall threw me in the deep end and I sunk
fall threw me in the deep end and I sunk
fall threw me in the deep end and I sunk
fall threw me in the deep end and I sunk

sink or swim
sink or swim
sink or swim
I sank

*then all these elements are mixed & combined, folded, spindled & mutilated*

[thirdcatmusic]

Sink or Swim by Third Cat

we sink or swim i think on the whim of fate

days pass too fast
moments can never last
summer heat melts away the past

we sink or swim i think on the whim of fate
we sink or swim i think on the whim of fate
recycled thoughts that i hate
when spring finally arrives it's gonna be too late

fall falls away
no one can ever stay
winter chill froze my love today

we sink or swim i think on the whim of fate
we sink or swim i think on the whim of fate
recycled thoughts that i hate
when spring finally arrives it's gonna be too late
when spring finally arrives it's gonna be too late

[lichenthroat]

Sink or Swim
Lichen Throat

The sun is warm in the valley,
But the peaks are capped with snow.
Every morning I tally
Another day in the calendar row.
All the snow in the mountains
Will melt in the coming weeks;
Rivulets will flow like fountains
And water will rise in the creeks.
I got a brand new kayak,
And I’ve been practicing rolls
I’m memorizing aerial photos
Of all the rocks and shoals.

I’ve been watching the gage
At the Taos Junction Bridge.
I track the rising stage
And watch the snow melt off the ridge.
As early spring turns late,
It’ll be high enough to run.
This summer’s going to be great
And I can’t wait to have fun.
I got a plastic helmet
And a yellow PFD.
Time to grab my paddle
And put away my skis.

I slide into the water
At the upstream end of the gorge.
I’d better move like an otter
Because this stream’s too deep to ford.
At the class V rapids,
I’ll finally test my skills,
See if my practice habits
Are good enough not to get me killed.
I got a nervous feeling,
And the path ahead looks grim.
If this boat flips over
Will I sink or swim?

[glennny]

glennny

Sink or Swim

Spring
You sprung upon the scene
with your in-season tangerines
all your hopeful talks
on the vernal equinox
enthusiastic and oh so green

Chorus
sink or swim
with vigor and vim
let your whimsy
out on a limb

Summer
all the hot summer nights
with in-season peach bites
you were happy to hold this
on the summer solstice
and the sun (has) never shown so bright

Chorus
sink or swim
with vigor and vim
let your whimsy
out on a limb

Autumn
I guess I saw you next fall
with American Football
Joan of Arc rocks!
Autumnal equinox
I'm always ready for the very next call

Bridge
If you think you're right about any of it
you're wrong, you're wrong
totally wrong
and if you think I'll stick around for any of it
I'm gone, I'm gone
totally gone

Winter
Discontent in the winter
As the morning frost hinders
Frank Zappa would notice
the longest night solstice
saw a tiger, removed the splinter

Chorus
sink or swim
with vigor and vim
let your whimsy
out on a limb

[noma]

Nick Soma - Sink or Swim

An environmental song about a polar bear, and the effects of climate change on him. "The girl/boy" is a reference to La Niña and El Niño.

With the summer season
The girl is gone, the boy returns
He doesn't know the reason
The glaciers melt, the sun, it burns
The place that he grew up in
Is now submerged beyond the sea
And soon there will be nothing
To hold onto, no place to be

And now it's either sink or swim
He carries on, he won't give in
But with no pack ice to be found
Before too long, he will have drowned

Ever shorter winters
Always hungry, scarcer prey
Digging through the splinters
He's come to hate the light of day
The times, they are a-changin'
The boy returns, the girl is gone
His hopes and dreams are fading
One by one

For now, it's either sink or swim
He stays afloat, he won't give in
But with no ice floe to be found
Before too long, he will have drowned

Spring is spelling doom
And when summer's over
He's just glad to have survived
Fall will bring release
But winter's power
Seems to shrink each year now
How much longer can he stay alive?

For now it's either sink or swim
He's trying hard not to give in
But he can't beat the turning tide
Before too long, he will have died

[mo]

ellipsis - Sink or Swim

[v1]
I remember your first day at the beach
You looked at me like why’d you never tell me before
It was already autumn of your life
Turn back the clock to the summer

[chorus]
Running fast and free
In the surf and seaweed
Amid the seagull’s cries
You were smiling

Look out for the trench
It’s time to sink or swim
Do you still love the beach
Do you still love me

[v2]
We never knew each other’s spring
When the summer came we frolicked on the green
I looked deep into your eyes
You looked deep into my eyes

[chorus]

[bridge]
Now the winter has come and gone
I’m still here and I’m still watching for you
In this brittle cold
Are you lonely
Do you remember me

[chorus]

Someday it’ll be warm again

[Geech]

Sink Or Swim
Berkeley Social Scene

A fog blanketed the town
A chill descended from the clouds
The cows started falling sick
This season here changed much too quick

Until she moved out this way
We did alright, we had our day
And now it’s got to be so hard
If we had seen this from the very start

So let’s prove this feeling in our gut
And take her to down to the lake to see what’s what
Throw her in, throw her in
Then we’ll see her sink or swim

She pierced me with an evil eye
And now I can’t think or see so straight
Forked tongues spew curses and lies
Summer to fall’s change should have us lie in wait

So let’s prove this feeling in our gut
And take her to down to the lake to see what’s what
Throw her in, throw her in
Then we’ll see her sink or swim

So let’s agree that we’ve had enough
And take her to down to the lake to see what’s what
Throw her in, throw her in
Then we’ll see her sink or swim

You’ve known me for all of my life
This woman vexed me and caused all this strife
I never did anything wrong
I’ve always tried to just get along
But I accuse this one
She’s the cause of all what’s become

So let’s prove this feeling in our gut
And take her to down to the lake to see what’s what
Throw her in, throw her in
Then we’ll see her sink or swim

So let’s agree that we’ve had enough
And take her to down to the lake to see what’s what
Throw her in, throw her in
Then we’ll see her sink or swim

So let’s prove this feeling in our gut
And take her to down to the lake to see what’s what
Throw her in, throw her in
Then we’ll see her sink or swim

[Lunkhead]

Sink or Swim
by Moss Palace

Northern lights
From the backseat
Driving home
City nights
See my breath
On the window
Draw a heart
From my chest

My reward
Trees are greener
Lilacs blush
In the yard
How did I
Live for so long
In a false
Paradise

It never snows in Cairo
I wonder if you ever think of me
Will time pass if there’s no seasons?
Do we keep living without memories?

Summer stars
On the wet grass
Lighting bugs
In a jar
Sink or swim
As the last leaf
Holds on tight
To the limb

It never snows in Cairo
I wonder if you ever think of me
Will time pass if there’s no seasons?
Do we keep living without memories?

It never snows in Cairo
I wonder if you ever think of me
Will time pass if there’s no seasons?
Do we keep living without memories?

[Adam!]

Sink of Swim
by Max Bombast

You and I came up in summer time
With caviar and champaign
A future bright enough to reach for the sky
But then September came

And with the fall came a steady assault
On everything that we held dear
When freedom rings false it's a clarion call
It's time that we all face our fears

You gotta sink or swim
Time to save your skin
'Cause a change is coming any day
You gotta play to win
So if you're free from sin
Grab a stone baby cast it
Baby cast away

We're gettin' by on that discount life
We could but we won't complain
Nothing to say if we get washed away
By those November rains

And when it snows we'll be coming to blows
Only some of you are gonna survive
Left out in the cold with a knife at your throat
This winter will eat you alive

You gotta sink or swim
Time to save your skin
'Cause a change is coming any day
You gotta play to win
So if you're free from sin
Grab a stone baby cast it
Baby cast away

[BoffoYux]

SINK OR SWIM
by Boffo Yux Dudes

Winter Spring Summer Fall
Winter Spring Summer Fall

When spring is springing
You've got me singing
You wipe away the gloom
And my life begins to bloom

Running through the summer
Without you'd be a bummer
Let's jump into the deep end
Time to sink or swim

CHORUS
For all of the reasons
Through the changing seasons
I know I can
depend on you
depend on you
depend on you
depend on you

Every single fall
You're at my Beck and call
You say to believe me
That you would never leave me

In the darkest winter
When sunlight starts to splinter
You light up every day
In your very special way

Through all of the trials
You always got the smiles
I know I've got a friend in you
I know I've got a friend in you
I know I've got a friend in you
I know I've got a friend in you

Winter Spring Summer Fall
Winter Spring Summer Fall
Winter Spring Summer Fall
Winter Spring Summer Fall

Every day you make a choice
Every day I strain to hear your voice
Will you be there when I grow old?
Will you be there when it grows cold?
Will you be there when it grows cold?
Will you be there when it grows cold?
Will you be there when I grow cold?

When spring is springing
You've got me singing
You wipe away the gloom
And my life begins to bloom

Running through the summer
Without you'd be a bummer
Let's jump into the deep end
Time to sink or swim

For all of the reasons
Through the changing seasons
I know I can depend on you
depend on you
depend on you
depend on you

Winter Spring Summer Fall
Winter Spring Summer Fall
Winter Spring Summer Fall
Winter Spring Summer Fall

[mama_pills]

Hi I’m totally brand new here, but boy do I love a forum and a challenge

It’s autumn and I
had a difficult summer
It’s the third in a row
where I wasn’t sure
I’d make it out

Winter comes fast I
hate wearing layers
Overload my senses
Unzip my body and
please let me out

CHORUS
Now I know what they mean
when they say the cold is biting
something’s got to give
Watch me sink or help me swim

Spring is a lie I
never believed it
A nose with enemies
All April showers bring
is May mud

It’s summer again I
miss wearing layers
so you can’t see me
always trying to unzip me
I don’t want you to perceive me

CHORUS
Now I know what they mean
when they say the cold is biting
Something’s got to give
Watch me sink or help me swim
Watch me sink or help me swim
Watch me sink or help me swim
Watch me sink or help me
Watch me sink or help me
Watch me sink or help me
Watch me sink or help me

[sailingmagpie]

Welcome to episode 264 of my obsession with 17th century witch trials!

I had planned to try to write some funkier stuff this year but the link between the crops failing when the seasons change and the swimming of witches was too much for me to resist.

Sink or Swim by chewmeupspitmeout

Snowflakes fell and covered him
Drew his last breath for his king
His life squandered like so many others
Crying out for wives and crying out for mothers
His widow at home
Bereft and alone
With four mouths to feed
An existance of need

She went to her neighbour
Begging for favour
(A) Few pints of milk for her children
The neighbour replied never she cried
She cursed at the neighbour, wished she would die

In just a few hours
The milk had turned sour

The springtime blooms
And opening buds
The leaves return
To the trees and shrubs

The neighbours ill will
Festered away
Whispers of witchcraft
Spread throughout May
Promised summer sun
Never arrived
When autumn fell
The crops all died

The soured milk remembered
From all those months ago

Was enough to know
Deep in their hearts
Who was the culprit
Who'd torn them apart
To the lake
Bind her limbs
Plunge in the water
Sink or swim

[owl]

Crown Shy
(shadow)

Turning towards the heavy footfalls of a future coming down my lane
And the endless tyranny of how days pile up on days
Winter turns to spring and summer turns to fall
I see ambition on the caller ID, but I can't pick up that call

And I don't want to sink or swim
I just want to get out of the water
Hold my breath and I think that I
Could skim the surface like a dragonfly
Or float like dandelion fluff into the empty sky
I don't want to sink or swim

The Joneses are breathing down my neck with my mother in hot pursuit
And my brother's off somewhere ahead in his Allbirds and three-piece suit
I feel the claws come down and tear through anxious skin
It stings just enough to get me sprinting for a while again

And I don't want to sink or swim
I just want to get out of the water
Hold my breath and I think that I
Could skim the surface like a dragonfly
Or float like dandelion fluff into the empty sky
I don't want to sink or swim

And I don't want to sink or swim
I just want to get out of the water
Hold my breath and I think that I
Could skim the surface like a dragonfly
Or float like dandelion fluff into the empty sky
And I don't want to sink or swim
I just want to get out of the water
Hold my breath and I think that I
Could skim the surface like a dragonfly
Or float like dandelion fluff into the empty sky
I don't want to sink or swim

[Caravan Ray]

Sink or Swim
- slimeparty

you can just count me in
i'm gonna dive right in
there's no hesitating
baby it's sink or swim

from winter, spring to summer, autumn, winter, spring again yeah baby

i'm gonna dive right in
i'm gonna sink or swim

no matter where I be
Scotland or Tuscany
I got my GarageB
you cannot silence me

from winter, spring to summer, autumn, winter, spring again yeah baby
i'm gonna dive right in
i'm gonna sink or swim

and the first rule of life is to always throw caution to the wind

i'm gonna have a crack
now there's no going back
crank up the apple mac
caravanray attack

from winter, spring to summer, autumn, winter, spring again yeah baby
i'm gonna dive right in
i'm gonna sink or swim

and the first rule of life is to always throw caution to the wind

[SquirrelProof]

I took the season change as a metaphor for a life change, moving from an academic environment which has winter's order and structure to a more chaotic springtime where the unknowns abound and we're just getting by.

Sink or Swim
Eric Novak

I went away to the academy
The air was chill, the time was fall, I was seventeen
genteel civilization's last redoubt
a place and time to prove myself out

They stay their lanes in the academy
They measure up, they nail it down, see who gets to stay
A hall full of doctors talking over each other
Slowly getting over the bother, publish or perish, sink or swim
publish or perish, sink or swim

Sink or swim or swim or sink, etc.

The water draws back, the muds a mess
I stay close to the shore as I navigate this
My body aches, it aches with laughter and with shame
Each spring comes sooner and sooner, yet again
Each spring sooner again

It's touch and go, I know, but it's a silver touch
We gathered berries today from the underbrush
The sun beats down and strikes me stupid
The last blur is Cupid, love or hate, laughter and panic, swim or sink

Sink or swim or swim or sink etc.