2 Meanings
Add Yours
Share
Q&A
Tolerance Lyrics
The still and silence is torn with violence.
A loud breaking sound in the night is made.
Hear it grow, hear it fade.
The sound you're hearing, the sound you're fearing
is the hate that parades up and down our streets,
coming within bounds and within reach.
Now, inside the place we hide away, we hear it near
and hope it turns away.
Turn away...
There's something seething in the air we're
breathing.
We learn slash and burn is the method to use.
Set a flame, burn it new.
We're overpowered.
We kneel, we cower, we cover our heads.
Feel the threat of blows that will come and the
damage that will be done in its wake.
Now, inside this place we hide away, we hear it near
although it's miles away.
We hear it near and hope it turns away.
Turn away...
This house divided, we live inside it.
Hate's dwelling place is behind our door in fitful
nights.
Hear it walk the floor and hear it rave as it moans
and drags along its ball and chain,
as it moves through this house it can't escape.
Now inside this place we hide away.
We hear it near and hope it turns away.
Turn away....
I can not think of any interpretation other than a woman who is in an abusive relationship and in the chorus is trying to protect and tell a young child that it will all be OK as they "hide away" . . . and "hope it turns away."
I think that it's about the hate and racism that has been growing in the U.S. I've thought just when the song was just released and it's even more poignant today.