I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
You breathed infinity into my world
And time was lost up in a cloud and in a whirl.
We dug a hole in the cool grey earth and lay there for the night.
Then you said, "wait for me we'll fly the wind,
We'll grow old and you'll be stronger without him" but oh,
Now my world is at your feet. I was lost and I was found,
But I was alive and now I've drowned.
So now I will be waiting for the world to hear my song
So they can tell me I was wrong...
But they weren't there beneath your stare,
And they weren't stripped 'till they were bare of
Any bindings from the world outside that room.
And they weren't taken by the hand
And led through fields of naked land
Where any pre-conceived ideas were blown away
So I couldn't say "no".
You sighed and I was lost in you, weeks could've past for all I knew.
You were there blanket of the over-world and so I couldn't say,
I wouldn't say "no". But they all said, "you're too young to even know,
Just don't let it grow and you'll be stronger without him"
But oh, now, my world is at your feet. I was lost and I was found,
But I was alive and now I've drowned.
So now I will be waiting for the world to hear my song
So they can tell me I was wrong
But they weren't there beneath your stare,
And they weren't stripped 'till they were bare
Of any bindings from the world outside that room.
And they weren't taken by the hand and led through fields
Of naked land where any pre-conceived ideas were blown away
But they weren't there beneath your stare,
And they weren't stripped 'till they were bare
Of any bindings from the world outside that room.
And they weren't taken by the hand and led through fields
Of naked land where any pre-conceived ideas were blown away
So I couldn't say "no".
And time was lost up in a cloud and in a whirl.
We dug a hole in the cool grey earth and lay there for the night.
Then you said, "wait for me we'll fly the wind,
We'll grow old and you'll be stronger without him" but oh,
Now my world is at your feet. I was lost and I was found,
But I was alive and now I've drowned.
So now I will be waiting for the world to hear my song
So they can tell me I was wrong...
But they weren't there beneath your stare,
And they weren't stripped 'till they were bare of
Any bindings from the world outside that room.
And they weren't taken by the hand
And led through fields of naked land
Where any pre-conceived ideas were blown away
So I couldn't say "no".
You sighed and I was lost in you, weeks could've past for all I knew.
You were there blanket of the over-world and so I couldn't say,
I wouldn't say "no". But they all said, "you're too young to even know,
Just don't let it grow and you'll be stronger without him"
But oh, now, my world is at your feet. I was lost and I was found,
But I was alive and now I've drowned.
So now I will be waiting for the world to hear my song
So they can tell me I was wrong
But they weren't there beneath your stare,
And they weren't stripped 'till they were bare
Of any bindings from the world outside that room.
And they weren't taken by the hand and led through fields
Of naked land where any pre-conceived ideas were blown away
But they weren't there beneath your stare,
And they weren't stripped 'till they were bare
Of any bindings from the world outside that room.
And they weren't taken by the hand and led through fields
Of naked land where any pre-conceived ideas were blown away
So I couldn't say "no".
Lyrics submitted by AgathaKavka
They Weren't There Lyrics as written by Melissa Higgins
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think this song is so powerful. to me this song has always been about a first relationship that was also destructive. i relate this song in absolutely every way to my first relationship. everyone tells her the relationship is wrong but she says "they werent there beneath your stare, they werent stripped til they were bare"--"they werent taken by the hand, led through fields of naked land, where any pre-conceived ideas were blown away-and i couldnt say no" i think its a strong description of what a new and destructive relationship feels like. when it is new to you, advice from others who may be more experiences doesnt matter. they arent feeling what you are feeling NOW. they cant possibly understand what is holding you there. they werent just introduced to giving your all to someone, secrets, flaws, everything, for the first time and wanting to keep that person around. they werent the ones being manipulated with sweet words and promises all so new while so naaive and trusting. i think "led through fields of naked land could or could not literally refer to sex. i think in one way it could just mean the same as being stripped bare--emotionally giving everything. but since i think its about a first relationship and from experience with one i also think it could mean losing your virginity to your first love. love and sex together all as a new experience can absolutely attach you to someone completely. "pre-concieved ideas" being to me, the feelings you have towards relationships before you actually experience one yourself. thinking beforehand that you would be smart about it, leave if it hurt, know when you are being decieved. then it happens, and its all just a whirl of emotions and usually its a lot harder to be smart than you always thought it would be. its about being absolutely lost in love and the hold it takes on you. how she says that "weeks couldve passed for all i knew" perfectly describes how love completely consumes you, nothing else matters. but in my opinion this song definately gives off that this relationship went wrong and ended badly. because she says "i was alive and now ive drowned" and also that she will be waiting for the world to say i told you so.