Promises, promises
I'm feeling burned
You taught me a lesson
I didn't want to learn

Why did I come here?
Please tell me again
Why did you ask me?
Don't say you forget

I long for, I long for
I long for my home
I long for a land where
No man was ever known

With no neurosis
No psychosis
No psychoanalysis
And no sadness

I'll pick up the pieces,
I'll carry on somehow
Tape the broken parts together
And limp this love around

Limp this love around

Overall Meaning

In the song "The Darker Days Of Me & Him", PJ Harvey sings about the aftermath of a failed relationship. The first two lines suggest a lack of trust, as the singer feels burnt by broken promises made by the other party. The next two lines express regret at learning a lesson they didn’t want to learn, indicating that they are still struggling to come to terms with the end of the relationship. The chorus shifts to the singer asking themselves why they came to this place and why the other party asked them to come. This could be interpreted as an expression of regret for getting involved in the relationship.

The second half of the song is a yearning for a better, happier place. The singer longs for a land where no man was ever known, expressing a desire to escape from civilization and live in isolation. With no neurosis, no psychosis, no psychoanalysis, and no sadness, the singer wants to leave behind all human issues and problems. The last four lines suggest that despite the hardships of the failed relationship, the singer is willing to pick up the pieces and carry on in some way, even if it means limping around their love.

Line by Line Meaning

Promises, promises
I am doubtful of your promises, as they have not been honored in the past.

I'm feeling burned
I am disheartened and disillusioned by our relationship.

You taught me a lesson
You have caused me emotional pain, and I have learned from it.

I didn't want to learn
I had hoped that our relationship would not result in pain and discomfort.

Why did I come here?
I am questioning my decision to enter into this situation or relationship.

Please tell me again
I need reassurance and clarity about the reasons for our being together.

Why did you ask me?
I am seeking to understand the motivations behind your wanting a relationship with me.

Don't say you forget
I am concerned that you may be forgetful or dismissive of important aspects of our relationship.

I long for, I long for
I have a deep and persistent desire for something that I do not currently have.

I long for my home
I yearn for familiarity, comfort, and stability that my current situation does not provide.

I long for a land where
I dream of an ideal place or situation that is free from past hurts and complicated emotions.

No man was ever known
I wish for a place where I can reconcile and heal from past emotional wounds without interacting with others.

With no neurosis
I desire to be free from mental distress and anxiety.

No psychosis
I wish to live without severe mental illness and struggle.

No psychoanalysis
I desire simplicity and clarity rather than the complexity of psychological analysis.

And no sadness
I wish to be free from the emotional pain that I am currently experiencing.

I'll pick up the pieces,
I have been hurt, but I will do what I can to move forward and rebuild.

I'll carry on somehow
Despite my despair, I will persevere and find a way to keep going.

Tape the broken parts together
I will try to repair the damage that has been done to me emotionally and mentally.

And limp this love around
I will try to keep our relationship alive, even if it is a difficult and painful process.

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