it sounds like someone did something that could get him lynched/killed and has to hide to stay alive. he regrets what he did but has to stay hidden.
"Rise up but the hands all pull you down" - he can't escape what he's done because others would say he is no better than what he did years ago
"Don't drink from the cup of human kindness, it's a strange brew and poison to the touch" - he can't go ask for forgiveness, people just want justice
"'We'll be there for you.' I believed and I can tell you it's not true. Run away before they find you again" - if he speaks of what he did, people don't want to forgive, they just want justice
"The consequence of the conscience is that you'll be left somewhere swinging in the air" - they'll bring justice on you if you confess and admit, so keep hiding out and never mentioning it.
it sounds like someone did something that could get him lynched/killed and has to hide to stay alive. he regrets what he did but has to stay hidden.
"Rise up but the hands all pull you down" - he can't escape what he's done because others would say he is no better than what he did years ago
"Don't drink from the cup of human kindness, it's a strange brew and poison to the touch" - he can't go ask for forgiveness, people just want justice
"'We'll be there for you.' I believed and I can tell you it's not true. Run away before they find you again" - if he speaks of what he did, people don't want to forgive, they just want justice
"The consequence of the conscience is that you'll be left somewhere swinging in the air" - they'll bring justice on you if you confess and admit, so keep hiding out and never mentioning it.