Scarlet

This song is about Christ before His death... in the Garden of Gethsemane. "Scarlet" is the color of blood over you, your sins. It's a reference in Jeremiah. From what I can tell, Brooke is describing what Jesus was going through while praying in the garden, the agony and pain of what He was about to go through... the blood sweating from His brow, His pure "timid and fragile" honesty of asking His Father if there is any other way, and how He was about to "go" where no one could follow right then.

Luke 22:40 - 46

"And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. 40And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. 41And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, 46And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. "

This is just my interpretation, but if I were thinking as Christ in the garden... these would probably describe my thoughts.

I might be wrong, but i see "Cautiously, lightly Gently expose what's underneath" to be finally revealing your true self in a new place, away from an old life which was more 'fake'.

But ultimately, its too hard, "And even if it's real, you can't stay" and being 'real' is making you too vunerable, and "There you go, You're gone for good" i think reitterates that idea, that you've said goodbye to the 'real' you in favour of the 'fake' one which is less delicate.

Middle of nowhere, Finally you can breathe: The person's been through something, and starts over, she feels free again, she's alone and doesn't need to trust anyone.

Clench your fists until they almost bleed Cautiously, lightly Gently expose what's underneath: Be strong (make a fist!), and show yourself to the world, the real you, not the mask you've been hiding behind for so long.

And even if it's real, you can't stay: They know the real you know but you're vulnerable and you're hurting. You're still afraid they won't like the real you and your past will come to haunt you

There you go You're gone for good: So you hide yourself again behind the mask. And you're hurt too deep now. the real you will never come to the surface again.

Your mind is swollen From months of thought without release

Your thoughts are your thoughts only, no one will get to know them, you're locked inside yourself and you can't seem to escape. You're not happy because the people that like you don't like the real you.

And this very moment Of timid and fragile honesty Is precious and rare: So the real you comes to the surface 'cause you just don't have the energy to hide yourself anymore (depression: No energy for life)

Okay I've been listening to this song intently for the last 12 hours, not even kidding. It means a lot to me. And this is just what it means to me; I believe it's about God's love and being born again through Christ.

Middle of nowhere, finally you can breathe Nobody knows your name, it's easier (its just you and God now, the air has become clear, fresh start) .. Cautiously, lightly, gently expose whats underneath (this is the act of letting God into your heart, and letting him work inside of you to discover yourself)

And all you feel now is the scarlet in the day (Jesus' blood washing over your sins and purifying everything) Even if it's real, you can't stay (having to let go of the past and all the wrongs)

so there you go, you're gone for good (saying goodbye to your old life and)

yeah.. this is purely my interpretation. it will mean different things to everyone. :)

yesh, cool song...

...wtf is it about

i agree... wat the hell is it about?? its really beautiful tho

I'm not sure of the actual meaning of this song, but to me it reminds me of this guy i knew. I really liked him but i was too scared to tell him. we were just friends adn it hurt so much because i just wanted to tell him. then he left town and i never had the chance to say how i felt. Although it doesnt really fit with the song, "there you go you're gone for good," was a line that helped me let go of him. "even if its real you cant stay" so even if i told him and he felt the same way, he still had to leave. thats just how i feel about this song.

What a brilliant artist! I love her new album, but am only now getting into this one!What she's doing with hillsong is awesome too.

I think of two things when i hear Scarlet, neither of which i've had any real experience, so i'm not projecting my own situation here...(i dont THINK anyway..!)

My first impression was a difficult one-sided break-up, where the one person is in real mental anguish about the breakup but knows they have to let the other go. They can only think or feel clearly when they get away from this person and everyone else - and 'gently expose whats underneath' - which is the truth that the relationship must end.

i reckon the second verse is the breakup conversation - and the truth and honesty and months of thinking prior to the conversation.

Maybe scarlet is symbolic of love, and for what ever reason, even if the "love" was real on some level ÿou can't stay" so there you go for good.

If only we know what scarlet was symbolic of in this song! I reckon that would give us the real meaning...

I also thought that this might be a song written in response to a suicide of someone she knew... without breaking it down too much, the tone and grief of the song fit.

At any rate it's an incredible song, and Brooke is a phenomenal artist. Bless ya heaps girl

The word "scarlet" in this song reminds me of The Scarlet Letter. It's something forbidden, something shameful, yet liberating. The song, to me, is the story of a battered woman trying to escape her husband, or maybe a woman who has recently gotten divorced. This might just come from my own experiences, but isn't that the point of music? It means different things for different people. I agree with Caroo that it's about trust, specifically being afraid to trust. About escaping something oppressive, in whatever form that might be, then living in fear that it will come back to and find you. You feel free and liberated, yet apprehensive b/c you know, deep down that it can't last forever; you keep wiating for the bottom to drop out.

If you've ever seen Sleeping With the Enemy with Julia Roberts, I think you'll get what I mean.

im not totally sure what this song is about but my favourite part is: your mind is swollen, for months of though without release, and they've taken their toll on you. i think in this part it is saying your so consumed in your thoughts of something and they are starting to conquer you!