Here I've been going over reasons
And you keep looking over my shoulder
Hold me now to these promises I haven't made
Time will tell just how much you'll act on what
You've said

Either way, my mind's been made up for me
Either way, it's wearing me thin because
Even when, resisting instinctively
Even then, I find myself broken and I'm kneeling
Defeated

I've been exhausted for too long
Wide open, so listen
When you keep charging
This blood has a beat that's running, it's running out
My blood has a beat that's running, it's running out
Our blood has a beat that's running out

Either way, we're treating this carelessly
Either way, it's wearing me thin because
Even when, resisting instinctively
Even then, I find myself broken and I'm kneeling
Defeated

I'm too exhausted for the long haul
And I'm kneeling defeated


Lyrics submitted by pretorben

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Defeated song meanings
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4 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    this song reminds me of my old friend...she'd always prove me wrong and everytime i said i am gonna better myself, she had no faith in me because i always made promises i couldnt keep...yeah, we're not friends anymore.

    cant believe noone has commented on this song...its amazing!!

    sufinati0non March 03, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The final act of life. Giving up. Let them control you. Life'll be much better, even it wears you out with them in charge of you.

    So. Just. Give. Up.

    It's about how I feel right now.

    WakeToLifeon April 01, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It means what the title says Great musicality in this song depicts the war within one's self of choosing defeat

    Magidiablo08on March 28, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    saw them live in cleveland back in fall '06 or so. it was absolutely amazing; when they played this, the room pretty much imploded with awesomeness.

    sarahplaysguitaron November 12, 2008   Link

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