"In Its Infancy (The Waterfall)" by My Morning Jacket explores the evolution of an idea from its early stages to its fruition, using the metaphor of a waterfall. The lyrics suggest that the idea grows and gains strength over time, but also faces the fear of failure. However, the protagonist is able to stop the waterfall by employing various mental and emotional strategies, such as thinking, breathing, feeling, and believing.

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Meaning of "In Its Infancy (The Waterfall)" by My Morning Jacket


"In Its Infancy (The Waterfall)" delves into the process of ideas coming to life and the obstacles that may arise along the way. The repetition of "again" emphasizes the cyclical nature of this process, as if the protagonist is constantly revisiting and refining their idea. The idea is portrayed as something fragile and vulnerable, being in its infancy and taking years to take root. The line "An idea crawls, before it walks" implies that ideas start off slowly and gradually gain momentum. As the idea gains strength and begins to take shape, the protagonist experiences fear and uncertainty, symbolized by the running waterfall. However, the protagonist finds ways to stop the waterfall, suggesting that they are able to overcome these fears and doubts. The methods mentioned, like thinking, breathing, feeling, and believing, imply a range of mental and emotional approaches that can be utilized to halt the waterfall of doubt and keep the idea alive. Overall, the song's message is one of perseverance, resilience, and the power of the mind to manifest and sustain creative ideas.