You make yourself a prisoner of me
You blind yourself so you don't have to see
You turn your life to a power above
You make yourself a hostage of love

You turn from me, you turn from the strain
Devote yourself to the power again
Distance yourself from all that we vowed
You broke those rules, you're my hostage now

I am a sinner and I am a saint
I am a devil, I am a ghost at the wake
God feed the swell and pull of your tears as they break
I am the limit of the load you can take

You are the pulley and I am the winch
I am salvation and you're herald of sin
I'll take you beyond your limits of trust
Ransom yourself, hostage of love

You see we've been born again
Since you've slept there in that lion's den, den
You can not be saved
You gave your innocence away, ohh

I've turned my cheek and I've suffered the blow
Truth of my story is widely unknown
Word of derision, I have swallowed with a smile
For telling my story I have been crucified

Now like a mad man, I give my laurels to you
Like a hero, forsake my trophies for you
No where disciple of this devil that is in the blood
Am I not also your hostage of love?

You see we've all been born again
Since you've slept there in that lion's den, den
You can not be turned
Until your innocence is old

And you seek out to live alone
Though it hurts to make it on your own, own
You cannot be saved
You gave your innocence away, ohh

You will be made a hostage of love
Hostage of love, hostage of love


Lyrics submitted by Elvia, edited by sirenne

Hostage Of Love Lyrics as written by Johnny Borrell Andy Burrows

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Hostage of Love song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

10 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    Song Meaning

    I'm not totally sure but I think its about how when you fall in love you lose yourself in it and you become a "hostage," to it. In this case the narrator is speaking as if he were love itself. So it helps to understand it more if you follow the verses as if love was personified and singing the song.

    bakismakion May 07, 2009   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Album art
Blue
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Album art
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Album art
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Album art
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it. “I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.