Camphor crossed with lace, it is the witching hour
Cinematic but crude
Teasing all my feelings out, you move away
It seems so natural to you

Still siren, climbing up the victory tower
Like there's something left to prove
I trap the beads of sweat that run between my eyes
And free the fever to move

I'm drawing the line, I'm drawing the line
I'm drawing the line, I draw the line
And I have my pride
I'm taking control, I'm taking control
I'm taking control, I'm taking control
And I save my soul
I'm shutting you out, I'm shutting you out
I'm shutting you out, I'm shutting you out
And I have no doubt

Dreamt the sound of scissors, cutting stitches out
Then discarding the used
Recording all my problems onto memory cards
Your compassion unmoved

Onto others what they always do to you
The most twisted of your rules
Distill malaise and photograph the hole it leaves
Running out a copy for you

I'm drawing the line, I'm drawing the line
I'm drawing the line, I draw the line
And I have my pride
I'm taking control, I'm taking control
I'm taking control, I'm taking control
And I save my soul
I'm shutting you out, I'm shutting you out
I'm shutting you out, I'm shutting you out
And I have no doubt


Lyrics submitted by christsizeshoes

Drawing the Line Lyrics as written by Gavin Richard Harrison Colin Edwin Balch

Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing

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Drawing the Line song meanings
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13 Comments

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  • +4
    General Comment

    I love the song, even the chorus. I think it is brilliant because the verses are so intimate and sentimental and the chorus comes in with a blow of power and energy that really shakes you up. And I love the fact that Steven's able to put desperate lyrics together with powerful and vivid music.

    sirxanderon September 19, 2009   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    Drummer Gavin Harrison told examiner.com about this song written by frontman Steven Wilson. Said Harrison: “Steve wrote that piece and then presented it to all of us individually. He had a sort of guide drum track on it, so I stripped that away and tried to imagine what I thought would best thing I could do with it. I think that is one of the most interesting songs on the album. In fact, I think that and “Time Flies” are the only two real ‘songs’ on The Incident that could be taken out and listened to independently… if you had to. If you had to make a single, I would think you could make singles out of either one of them.”

    hatebreederon October 29, 2009   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning

    I think it's quite obviously a song about leaving a very important person in your life (most likely your girl- or boyfriend) and deciding to start a new chapter in your life.

    "Teasing all my feelings out, you move away It seems so natural to you" This line (amongst others) makes me believe that the character of this song has been left by his partner whilst he himself put lots of efforts and feeling into the relationship.

    The sound of the chorus combined with the lyrics make me think that it's taking a lot of self-discipline and is very hard for the character to "draw the line" and to "shut out" the person that left him.

    This also fits with the main theme of the album: "Incidents that turn your life around", as either the end of the relationship or the decision to lay it to rest is such a turning point.

    Firepeteon September 21, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    No idea...but that cracky voice is a bit weird. XD

    2006200720082009on September 05, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    'Distill my laze' should be 'distill malaise' I believe.

    j4s0nnon September 07, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I hate the chorus on this so much, but the drumming makes up for it

    Hopliteon September 08, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I would have to agree that the chorus spoils this song a bit. which is a shame because i love the verses.

    FenderPrecisionon September 14, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I like the chorus and think this song is great. I've never so quickly thought an album was this great. Maybe my thoughts on it will change but good song!!

    Aghoraphobicon September 14, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think the chorus of this song represents everything that's great about Steven Wilson and Porcupine Tree. It's never the same. Does it sound like a Porcupine Tree song? I say yes because there is no formula with his writing. The only thing that is the same about all Porcupine Tree music is that it's all great, but never the same.

    mph86on September 19, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The chorus here is so joy filled. If you listen to kneel and disconnect, it sounds like a person who hates there life but is to afraid to change it. This sounds like a joyous person deciding to change their life. this also explains time flys where the person regrets his lost time.

    A basic overview ^

    Rickleson November 05, 2009   Link

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