Don't try to call
There are some bridges that burn
Beyond recognition beyond repair
Don't say you've changed
There are some forces that turn
Beyond recollection beyond my stare
When I feel the cold in the dark
I know you're there

Long ago I was a woman in pain
A woman in need
I ran to you
Long ago I did not understand
You were making me bleed
I ran to you
When I feel the cold in the dark
I know what you do

I will crawl through my past
Over stones blood and glass
In the ruins
Reaching under the fence
As I try to make sense
In the ruins

I know your heart has held its own fear
It's perfectly clear
What they did to you
In my heart it's the screaming I hear
I won't let them come near
Since my love knew you
When I feel the cold in the dark
I remember you

I will crawl through my past
Over stones blood and glass
In the ruins
Reaching under the fence
As I try to make sense
In the ruins

Night after night
I am carving it out
I will carry it down to the waterside
Night after night
I am hearing the sound
Of wings that come beating
I will not hide
When I feel the cold in the dark
I will know why

I will crawl through my past
Over stones blood and glass
In the ruins
Reaching under the fence
As I try to make sense
In the ruins

But if I am to heal
I must first learn to feel
In the ruins
I will crawl


Lyrics submitted by Ice

Ruins Lyrics as written by Melissa Etheridge

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Ruins song meanings
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  • +1
    General Comment

    This is one of my favorite Melissa songs.

    I personally think that each verse is talking about a different thing, though I could be wrong. In the first one, I think it's about a past lover, and this lover wants to reconnect with Melissa, but Melissa knows that's not a good idea.

    The second verse could be about the same person...but she remembers how back when they were together (or maybe just friends), they were both afraid (probably about being homosexual and coming out, but it could apply to anything).

    Third verse might be about washing out the wounds one gets from living by "carry[ing] it down to the waterside." The beating wings could symbolize a lot of things. Maybe they just represent her past coming to haunt her.

    And that's what I think the whole song is about: just learning to accept one's past, no matter how hard/painful it has been, and then healing from it and learning lessons from it. But before one can completely heal, one has to learn how to feel and to be true to themselves.

    My interpretation is certainly just my opinion. Nonetheless, I love this song.

    starpatrolleron November 05, 2006   Link

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