Lyric discussion by Domaithianus 

Cover art for Nothin' lyrics by Townes Van Zandt

There are a lot moments that sound like drug references, it could be about how they can crush you, etc, and the desire to not let the people you love see the destruction. But I also feel like it could be about seeing someone you love and respect do something completely heinous, which you can't tell anyone about, but which shakes everything you thought you knew about a person. "Didn't see nothin" " brothers our troubles are Locked in each others arms" the line about temptaion could refer to the overwhelming desire to speak of it.