And now I wait my whole lifetime for you
And now I wait my whole lifetime for you

I ride the dirt, I ride the tide for you
I search the outside, search inside for you

To take back what you left me
I know I'll always burn to be
The one who seeks so I may find
And now I wait my whole lifetime

Outlaw of torn
Outlaw of torn
And I'm torn

So on I wait my whole lifetime for you
So on I wait my whole lifetime for you

The more I search, the more my need for you
The more I bless, the more I bleed for you

You make me smash the clock and feel
I'd rather die behind the wheel
Time was never on my side
So on I wait my whole lifetime

Outlaw of torn
Outlaw of torn
Outlaw of torn
And I'm torn

Hear me
And if I close my mind in fear
Please pry it open
See me
And if my face becomes sincere
Beware
Hold me
And when I start to come undone
Stitch me together
Save me
And when you see me strut
Remind me of what left this outlaw torn

Hear me
And if I close my mind in fear
Please pry it open
See me
And if my face becomes sincere
Beware
Hold me
And when I start to come undone
Stitch me together
Save me
And when you see me strut
Remind me of what left this outlaw torn


Lyrics submitted by elmoz, edited by Ashram

The Outlaw Torn Lyrics as written by Lars Ulrich James Alan Hetfield

Lyrics © Word Collections Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

The Outlaw Torn song meanings
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60 Comments

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  • +6
    General Comment

    I think it's about Cliff dying. Just take the line:

    "You make me smash the clock and feel...I'd rather die behind the wheel"

    The day after Cliff died, James completely destroyed his hotel room and among the things he destroyed was an alarm clock. He also got drunk and was out in the street screaming Cliff's name, asking where he was and wishing he had been the one who died. "I'd rather die behind the wheel" - behind the wheel of the bus - in the back of the bus, in one of the bunks - is where Cliff was laying when the bus flipped, hurling him out the window and being crushed.

    I'm just glad I got to see him live when they opened for Ozzy...awesome bass player.

    JB

    Lowmanon February 08, 2006   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    ive heard a lot of different meanings for this song but here is the one that hear a lot and read newsted talk about: its about the band losing cliff burton..and not knowing how to move on from there..and knowing that theyd give anything to have him back..and hoping that they can move on and not feel the pain of cliff dying forever

    also, the lyrics were written by the entire band..and newsted did most of the musical arrangment (yay)

    metallichicon August 17, 2002   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    The S&M version of this song is easily one of Metallica's best songs ever. I can relate to the lyrics, and I agree with what King Nothing has said. One of Metallica's most underrated songs.

    SSJVegetoon May 30, 2002   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    After reading all of your thoughts, I've discovered that I know nothing of the subject matter. But could I possibly throw in something new? The songs title caught my eye. "The Outlaw of Torn" is a historical novel written by Edgar Rice Burroughs around 1914. The meanings you've come up with are present in the character Norman of Torn. It is a short story and could add to the complexity of this song. I am convinced that it has some bearing. Outlaw of Torn Outlaw of Torn

    icdzynon October 05, 2007   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Okay so this outlaw meets this girl and she totally changes him for the better but then she left him or he left her, I can't remember which. But then he now searches for her because he loves her and what not but he'll never find her, she's long long long gone. Happen to you?

    Centurianon May 30, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Its actually

    "I'm Outlaw Torn"

    If you have seen the S&M live video, he clearly says- "I'm Outlaw Torn" -

    NOT-"Outlaw of Torn"-NOT

    I think it's more he's looking to hurt/kill the person who took his love away.

    songanchorageon April 29, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    been there, done that...

    the weight of this song never fails to move me. damn shame they couldn't fit the whole thing on Load :)

    then along comes the S&M version of the song which gave it twice as much weight, making it an unstoppable powerhouse.

    Velon May 31, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    It's about Cliff. James' unending search for someone or something in his life to replace Cliff.

    ChaseKendereson March 17, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    i like forthelove's interpretation but i think Lowman's/ JB's is more correct...i never knew that before....gr8 song and the S&M version is awesome..espcially when the orchestra plays thier part...wish i get a song like this when i die :D

    bisoon August 09, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Lowman, your comment has bumped The Outlaw Torn to my favorite Metallica song.

    So...epic...so...epic...

    Kuyukly78on September 05, 2006   Link

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