The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Hasten not the sinner,
A mold of ugliness thrown into the fire.
Brother bleed brother,
What have you done my son with your desire?
I'll hold my breath, until the end.
A prayer for us to make it through.
I'll hold my breath
Miles of conviction to carry the weight of all your own mistakes.
Open your eyes,
In the end of everything, everything dies.
And I die for you, and I die.
And I die for you, and I die.
Sifting seasons through the sand. (Time moves so slowly)
Spitting treason in your hand. (You won't hear me)
Sifting seasons through the sand. (Time moves so slowly)
Spitting treason in your hand. (Ah... You won't hear me)
I'll hold my breath, until the end
A prayer for us to make it through.
I'll hold my breath, I'll hold my breath,
I'll hold my breath
A mold of ugliness thrown into the fire.
Brother bleed brother,
What have you done my son with your desire?
I'll hold my breath, until the end.
A prayer for us to make it through.
I'll hold my breath
Miles of conviction to carry the weight of all your own mistakes.
Open your eyes,
In the end of everything, everything dies.
And I die for you, and I die.
And I die for you, and I die.
Sifting seasons through the sand. (Time moves so slowly)
Spitting treason in your hand. (You won't hear me)
Sifting seasons through the sand. (Time moves so slowly)
Spitting treason in your hand. (Ah... You won't hear me)
I'll hold my breath, until the end
A prayer for us to make it through.
I'll hold my breath, I'll hold my breath,
I'll hold my breath
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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Great version of a great song,
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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sounds to me like the narrator(whether it really is Nate, or just his muse) was betrayed by their partner, and they have to "hold their pride" and try to love their partner the same as before they betrayed him.
sifting seasons through the sun spitting treason into your hand
that line states somewhat clearly that basically "over time, they betrayed Nates/the Narrator's trust in them"
i looove this song! its really..intense? i'm not good with the adjectives, but i'll wait for you smart folk to say what you think this song means, because, well, im not very good at that.. FINCH ROX MY SOX!! he he he ...
Good song. The first verse is very, very good. The way he sings "Thrown into the fire" makes smile.
woah.. i havent heard from finch for a long time and i kinda think that this song or most probably they're "style" has kind of changed.. i dunno.. that's what i think. it's kind of diff but its really good.. cant w8 for d new album.. they're definitely the best band.. hmm anywyz.. about what it means.. yah.. its like he has someone and he carries both of their burdens and he tries his best to cope up or redeem themselves.. haha.. im not sure.. this is what i like abt finch.. they're lyrics are amazing.. i dunno.. i rily dont knw what this means haha
Another great song Finch. they never ceases to amze me. they truly are one of the best bands i ever heard
It sounds like it goes: "I'll hold my breath/Until the end/I'll pray for us/etc."
they changed an entire 360 from their last album. and I actually liek this style much better. this song is awesome. the first like is not "hate send out the signal" it is " Hate sin not the sinner"' i got it from the booklet
the whole first half of this song is incorrect jack ass. Don't post lyrics if you dont even know them! The first sentence would actually be "Hate sin, not the sinner" and yes, "I'll hold my breath, until the end, a prayer for us to make it through, I'll hold my breath!" there is so much more, fuck it, I'll just make a new one to finally correct you and you're stupid ass.
its about cain and abel ..mainly about cain and what he did and how his father feels about it... either his dad adam or god