Lyric discussion by MissKat 

Cover art for Private Hell lyrics by Alice in Chains

I personally hear a tale of a lost love in these lyrics & the refrain speaks to how he hides the pain inside & doesn't let on to anyone that he is hurting deep inside.

Give away a love And then remove another too Painted words adorn the walls Echoing untrue (I feel cold)

Sounds like the end of a relationship, he had someone - maybe ended over too big an ego & he let it walk away, the words spoken of love & forever have lost all meaning.

Promises abound You rarely find it to begin Maybe I'm afraid To let you all the way in (I guess so)

You rarely find it to begin - Love & how hard it is to find someone to love who feels the same way, he found another but he is still doubtful & unwillinging to let the new person in because he still mourns his other love.

Lately I'm beside myself Pretending, unconcerned Standing on a corner Where I threw you on a turn (I'll move on)

He is living a pretend existance, telling everyone he is happy but in reality has not moved on from the point of their demise. He threw what they had away & he feels regret but knows you can't turn back time.

Flowers on a cross remain Mark an ending scene Damn it all if blood you spill Turn the grass more green (Life is short)

That moment in time is like a roadside car accident. It is over, but he can't let it go. It is always in his head, regret & so he lives eternally with the pain inside... his personal hell

Arntor - I have to agree with you 100%. Without even putting much thought into it I come to that conclusion. Then, putting a ton of thought into it I still come to that conclusion. DanTheMan86's post just reinforces your ideas. I think JC and SK have come out publicly stating that the BGWTB single was written about Layne. Don't you think it's possible that another song could be too? "Someone who is guarded and won't let anyone in"?!?! Wasn't that Layne's last couple of years? He went to The Rainbow tavern by his condo near the Ave a lot before he...

agreed, it's definitely about a relationship... especially about painted words adorn the walls echoing untrue... reminds me of my past life :(