Seal My Fate Lyrics

Lyric discussion by Plankton1288 

Cover art for Seal My Fate lyrics by Belly (US)

To me, the song is about unplanned pregnancy, and the life-changing choices that are presented to a girl/woman who finds herself in this situation. I think there is a dual point of view, both from the mother-to-be and the unborn baby. All options (keep the baby, terminate the pregnancy, give the baby up for adoption) are explored in the lyrics. The title, "Seal My Fate" has multiple meanings, and could be from the point of view of the mother (if the mom keeps the baby, her life is dramatically changed). If she terminates the pregnancy or gives it up for adoption, "Seal My Fate" would then be from the baby's point of view. "Untame my brain" - I believe this can be from the pregnant girl's point of view, she has a monumental decision to make and its stressing her out! The baby's point of view seems clear in the lyrics "Give me a name". In my mind, I hear the mom singing "untame my brain" and the unborn baby singing "give me a name". I hear the mother's angst with respect to the choice she has to make in "hear my faith", like she's praying for guidance and the reference to the abortion option seems obvious ("unholy and dirty words that gather to me"). I hear more angst with the "thinking the point was keep what mine for me" - which could mean keeping a life she planned that didn't include having a baby vs. raising a child at this time in her life; it also refers to the choice between having and keeping the baby vs. giving it up for adoption. I think Donelly refers to the boy/man's role when she sings "While he's laughing" - the unplanned pregnancy's impact on the potential father doesn't even register when compared to how she is feeling and the future impact on the girl's / baby's life. I think the end of the song is about the adoption choice, sung from the point of the mother who gave the baby up for adoption rather than raising it herself. The mother, years later, is reflecting on how the child that she gave up is doing - she hope's the choice she made has resulted in the child being happy. "You say you saw him laughing, I hope it's true". "I'd like to see it happen", perhaps this means she's like to meet the child at some point in their lives. "Cause I can feel it, I hope it's true", maybe this refer's to the natural bond that exists between a mother and her child.

Then again, what do I know? This is what I think about when I hear this song.

My Interpretation