How can I forget you?
Disregard how I feel?
Silently listen
To the words I can't see

As long as I have tried
As low as I can be
I will never resign myself
From the trial I seek

Why should I forgive you
After all that I've seen?
Quietly whisper
When my heart wants to scream

For as long as I have tried
And as low as I can be
I will never resign myself
From the trial I seek

There's no time to rest
Or to reconsider
For this cruel unsaid
Won't concede

For as long as I have tried
And as low as I can be
I will never resign myself
From the trial I seek


Lyrics submitted by Ice

Seven Months Lyrics as written by Beth Gibbons Adrian Francis Utley

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Seven Months song meanings
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7 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    I'm guessing this song is about a breakup...after a relationship that lasted seven months. It's definitely an invigorating and powerful song.

    ParadoxPoxon August 17, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Hey does anyone hear that <ruff, ruff> in the background. It sounds like the took one of those toy battery opperated puppies that do a little <ruff, ruff> take a few steps and then do it again. I think it's about the same timing too. It's definitely a cool sound.

    phatcaton March 04, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    it definately a relatable song everyone knows how hard it is to forgive someone who's really hurt you. she wont give up untill she see him suffer the way she has

    Niamon June 11, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    phatcat, im hearing it, and i like it.

    Nimbulanon August 05, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    My personal favorite from their seconds album. ParadoxPox is absolutley right about the break up thing. I think this is the most accessable from the album as well

    Pretty.Like.Drugson March 04, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Why should I forgive you After all that I've seen Quietly whisper When my heart wants to scream

    Love those lines. She's saying, why should I stand back and take the way you've treated me, forgive you? She's not going to let him get away with it.

    missmeon April 23, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I definitely think that this song could be about a bad breakup... I related to it very much during a bad break up myself... However what I <3 the most about Portishead songs is that they represent an underlying struggle with self...

    Perhaps the "seven" in the title of the song represents the seven deadly sins, and her toil with herself as she is struggling to overcome something that seems far more powerful than herself. Its almost as if she feels her hands are tied "quietly whisper, when my heart wants to scream" The ultimate stuggle we all have between dark and light, fighting our evil side to become a better person.. Changing what we dont like about ourselves and wanting to move on, but some part of us will not let go those old habits dying hard...

    The references to a "trial" could be toward judgment by the Almighty her cry for help for something greater to come and save her from herself and that person she cant forget or forgive is the side of herself that disappoints her the most.....

    "There's no time to rest Or to reconsider For this cruel unsaid, won't concede" (She doesnt want to give up on herself but she continually sees herself making the same mistakes, almost as if a negative influence in her character wont let her progress to her own spiritual next level)

    ellathepoeton May 03, 2011   Link

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