Lyric discussion by jbandy10 

Cover art for Shackled lyrics by Vertical Horizon

here's my interpretation. I'll try.

For so long my life's been sewn up tight inside your hold And it leaves me there without a place to call my own

obviously this song is about a guy who's life is being controlled by someone else. Probably a girl knowing this band. So I'll go with that. The guy has probably put a bunch of time and effort into the relationship and evidently the girl just isn't feeling it anymore. So she just cuts him off but he can't just do that too. He's still attached to her and she's still weaved into his life. He is lost without her presence.

I know now what shadows can see There's no point in running 'less you run with me It's half the distance to the open door Before you cut me down Again Let me introduce you to the end

He's trying to let go of her once and for all so he won't be haunted by her anymore. He's saying that he's ready to realize why she left him and how he can let her go. So he's going to end all the suffering that comes from her memory and such.

And I feel the cold wind blowing beneath my wings It always leads me back to suffering But I will soar until the wind whips me down Leaves me beaten on unholy ground again

He knows now that every time he thinks of her he gets blown down (depressed) so he's going to go in the opposite direction and leave it all behind.

So tired now of paying my dues I start out strong but then I always lose It's half the distance before you leave me behind It's such a waste of time

he's just tired of going through all the same thoughts about her and trying to get away from feeling bad about it. It's just a waste of time thinking about her

CHORUS 'Cause my shackles You won't be And my rapture You won't believe And deep inside you will bleed for me

he's telling her that she won't get him down because of what she did. And in the end she'll be sorry that she left him and he'll be better for it.

So here I slave inside of a broken dream Forever holding onto splitting seams So take your piece and leave me alone to die I don't need you to keep my faith alive

He's telling her to just leave for good so he never has to deal with it again. He doesn't need her or her memories anymore to get him down, or bring him back up for that matter.

I know now what trouble can be And why it follows me so easily It's half the distance through the open door Before you shut me down Again Let me introduce you to the end

CHORUS

Though you know you care

CHORUS

And my laughter You won't hear The faster I disappear And time will burn your eyes to tears

He's finally over it and he's happy. He knows she'll be sorry in the end