They're almost falling over you
Why don't they call a truce?
Whatever they are trying to do
It's of little use

They're drowning you in compliments
Trying to furnish proof
And though they speak with eloquence
There is little truth

You're bright, you're strong, you know your right from wrong
At least to some degree
You're wise, you're tough, you've heard their lies enough
You smile in sympathy

I'm watching your serenity
The way your soul transcends
The tedious absurdities
Your patience never ends
And as the night begins to fade
You're heading for the door
And followed by a sad parade
Your on your own once more

You're bright, you're strong, you know your right from wrong
At least to some degree
You're wise, you're tough, you've heard their lies enough
You smile in sympathy

You're bright, you're strong, you know your right from wrong
At least to some degree
You're wise, you're tough, you've heard their lies enough
You smile in sympathy


Lyrics submitted by Toz428

In Sympathy Lyrics as written by Martin Gore

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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In Sympathy song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • +3
    My Interpretation

    This song has got probably one of the best intros on earth lol.

    I'd say it cud be something to do wiv a girl at the bar. Maybe the narrator is also there and has seen everything that goes on. She's or waiting for that someone to talk to her like a human bein and love her for who she is and not the weirdos that look for 5 minutes of fun.

    "I'm watching your serenity The way your soul transcends Their tedious obscenities Your patience never ends"

    "And as the night begins to fade You're heading for the door Followed by a sad parade You're on your own once more"

    Thats just my interpretation anyway :)

    crazychick3point0on January 24, 2011   Link
  • +2
    My Interpretation

    I think, this song is about personal growth: Feeling yourself and standing above it all. In my mind comes the picture of a person who was manipulated a lot in the past and finally learned to break free and to derive self worth from within, not the acknowledgment of others. Another interpretation could be that the lyrics are about everyday sexism and how a woman learned to deal with it and stand above it all.

    "They’re almost falling over you Why don’t they call a truce Whatever they are trying to do It’s of little use

    They’re drowning you in compliments Trying to furnish proof And though they speak with eloquence There is little truth"

    The lyrical subject gets a lot of attention and false compliments by people, who pretend to be friends, but it's more appearance than substance. S/he doesn't buy what the say, s/he knows of their insincerity.

    "You’re bright You’re strong You know your right from wrong At least to some degree You’re wise You’re tough You’ve heard their lies enough You smile in sympathy

    I’m watching your serenity The way your soul transcends Their tedious obscenities Your patience never ends"

    Here it gets clear that the lyrical subject learned his/her lesson and is calm and above it all. S/he is bored by their feigned admiration and attempts of manipulation.

    "And as the night begins to fade You’re heading for the door Followed by a sad parade You’re on your own once more"

    When all the people are gone who pretend to be supportive but want to take advantage of his/her, s/he is alone again - but it's still better than to fall for their lies. It ends with the chorus, so the song is still empowering and positive - with a slight sad touch.

    tochterkampfstrumpfon October 31, 2016   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song sounds well.

    The first time I understood the text it made me think of a person who I regard with a lot of esteem. He's very wise and bright and disenchanted in everything he does. But he also can't lie, and everytime he's with people he doesn't like, I can read it on the expression of his face. He smiles just for politeness, he's more silent than ever.

    Now when I listen to this song I always think of him. ^_^

    Lilian999on May 13, 2009   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation

    It sounds like it's about a child in a divorce situation. The parents use him as a pawn and compliment him for his maturity, but at the end of the night when the parents go their separate ways...they leave him neglected, worrying instead about themselves.

    skipheron February 05, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I see all adults in this one, no children. I see a female Domme surrounded by adult slaves and "their tedious obscenities". And the songwriter is describing how the slaves act towards Her and how She interacts with them. Complimenting Her with admiration.

    MapMistresson April 30, 2010   Link

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