Ghosts
Florence + the Machine Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not calling you a thief, just don't steal from me
I'm not calling you a ghost, just stop haunting me
And I love you so much, I'm gonna let you kill me
There's a ghost in my lungs and it sighs in my sleep
Wraps itself around my tongue as it softly speaks
Then it walks, then it walks with my legs
To fall, to fall, to fall at your feet
There but for the grace of God go I
And when you kiss me, I am happy enough to die
I'm not calling you a liar, just don't lie to me
And I love you so much, I'm gonna let you
I'm not calling you a thief, just don't
And I love you so much, I'm gonna let you
I'm not calling you a ghost, just stop
There's a ghost in my mouth and it talks in my sleep
Wraps itself around my tongue as it softly speaks
Then it walks. then it walks, then it walks with my legs
To fall, to fall, to fall, to fall
To fall, to fall
To fall, to fall, to fall, to fall
To fall, to fall, at your feet
There but for the grace of God go I
And when you kiss me, I am happy enough
The song "Ghosts" by Florence + the Machine is about a person who is haunted by memories of a past relationship. The lyrics address the person who they once loved and who left a deep impact on their life, eventually becoming a haunting presence. The singer is not calling the ex-lover a liar, a thief, or a ghost, but is asking them to stop hurting them and to let go of the past. They express their love for this person by saying they would let them kill them if that's what it took for them to move on, despite the pain it causes them.
The singer also references the feeling of having a ghost in their lungs, wrapping around their tongue, and walking with their legs. This metaphorical language portrays the idea that the thoughts and memories are so overwhelming that they are physically manifesting within the singer's body. As the ghost consumes them, they feel compelled to fall at the feet of their past lover.
This song seems to be tapping into the vulnerable and emotional experience of a person struggling to let go of someone who has left a deep impact on their life. By using the metaphor of ghosts and the physical manifestations of haunting, the song captures the desperation to move beyond and the pain of holding on.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not calling you a liar, just don't lie to me
I'm not accusing you of dishonesty, but please be truthful with me
I'm not calling you a thief, just don't steal from me
I'm not suggesting you're a criminal, but please don't take what's mine
I'm not calling you a ghost, just stop haunting me
I'm not saying you're a spirit, but please leave me alone
And I love you so much, I'm gonna let you kill me
I care for you deeply, even if it may lead to my own demise
There's a ghost in my lungs and it sighs in my sleep
There's a lingering presence within me that seeps into my dreams
Wraps itself around my tongue as it softly speaks
It entangles itself in my speech, softly whispering its presence
Then it walks, then it walks with my legs
This presence takes control, moving me as its own
To fall, to fall, to fall at your feet
To submit completely to you, even if it means falling at your feet
There but for the grace of God go I
I recognize that I could be in your position if not for luck or fate
And when you kiss me, I am happy enough to die
Your love is so powerful, it could bring me to the brink of death and I would be content
There's a ghost in my mouth and it talks in my sleep
This presence continues to haunt me, even manifesting in my speech during slumber
Then it walks. then it walks, then it walks with my legs
It still takes control, moving me without my permission
To fall, to fall, to fall, to fall
To surrender myself completely
To fall, to fall
To fall at your feet once again
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Florence Leontine Mary Welch, Isabella Janet Florentina Summers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind