The Haunted Man
Bat for Lashes Lyrics

I couldn't sleep last night
The singer couldn't sleep due to trying to forget their past love

'Cause I tried to forget you
The singer attempted to erase their former lover from their memory

In the suffocated air
The environment felt oppressive and claustrophobic

I resolved to let you go
The artist made a conscious decision to move on from the past relationship

Twisted all our dreams
The relationship became warped and distorted

Til you became the nightmare
The former partner became haunting and deeply unsettling

Close it off inside
The singer attempts to suppress their feelings

Or else the hurt is gonna rise
The artist fears that their emotions will become overwhelming

Heard the old man and the sea
The artist recollects hearing an elderly man singing in the distance

Singing low
The old man's voice was quiet and calm

And the silver fir she cried
The trees were symbolic of sadness and mourning

Never forget, had gone and died
The artist remembers someone who has passed away

And the babes that clung to her
The children that once played near the trees

Had all let go
The children have grown up and moved on

My dear she touched my skin
The singer recalls a moment of tenderness with their past love

And oh did the skin
The touch was intense and emotional

Set a burning
The touch felt like a physical burning sensation

Where once we kissed and ran
The singer remembers happy memories with their former partner

The memory scorched the man
The memories are now painful and distressing

I have to tell you dear (ask me to hold you and I)
The artist is addressing their past love and anticipating their response

Death has become my breathing (far away gone and I)
The artist feels consumed by grief and loss

And oh she did, she touched my skin (holding the ghost of a man I)
The artist is still haunted by their past love's touch

This madness haunted the man (holding the ghost of a man)
The singer feels trapped by their emotions and memories

Still I'm holding out my hand
The artist is trying to hold on and cope with the feelings associated with their past love

Standing by my haunted man
The singer is committed to supporting their partner through their emotional struggles

Yes, your ghosts have got me too
The singer also feels the weight of their own painful memories

But it's me and you
The singer is committed to staying together despite these struggles

I can't run
The artist cannot escape their emotions and memories