Promises
♫ The Cranberries Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh

You'd better believe I'm coming
You'd better believe what I say
You'd better hold on to your promises, because
You bet you'll get what you deserve

She's going to leave him over
She's going take her love away
So much for your eternal vows
Well it does not matter anyway

Why can't you stay
Here awhile
Stay here awhile
Stay with me

Oh, oh, oh
All the promises we made (promises we made)
All the meaningless and empty words I prayed
Prayed, prayed

Oh, oh, oh
All the promises we broke (promises we broke)
All the meaningless and empty words I spoke
Spoke, spoke

Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do

What of all the things that you taught me
What of all the things that you'd say
What of all your prophetic preaching
You're just throwing it all away

Maybe we should burn the house down
Have ourselves another fight
Leave the cobwebs in the closet
'Cause tearing them out is just not right

Why can't you stay here awhile
Stay here awhile
Stay with me

Oh, oh, oh
All the promises we made (promises we made)
All the meaningless and empty words I prayed
Prayed, prayed

Oh, oh, oh
All the promises we broke (promises we broke)
All the meaningless and empty words I spoke
Spoke, spoke

Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh

Oh, oh, oh
All the promises we made (promises we made)
All the meaningless and empty words I prayed
Prayed, prayed

Oh, oh, oh
All the promises we broke (promises we broke)
All the meaningless and empty words I spoke
Spoke, spoke

Oh eh, oh eh, oh eh, oh eh, oh eh
Hey hey

Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do

Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do




Do-do-do
Do-do-do

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Promises" by The Cranberries convey the feeling of heartbreak and betrayal. The song is about a woman who has been hurt by her partner’s broken promises and empty words. She vows to leave him and take her love away, as she no longer believes in the promises that he has made. The chorus of the song is particularly powerful, as it highlights the disappointment and pain caused by the broken promises. The woman is questioning why they can’t just stay together, but the hurt caused by the broken promises is too much to bear.


The lyrics also touch on the idea of hypocrisy, as the woman questions the things that her partner had taught her and preached to her, only to now see that he is not living up to his own words. The suggestion that they should burn the house down and have another fight highlights the anger and hurt that the woman is feeling.


Overall, the lyrics of "Promises" by The Cranberries are a powerful expression of the emotional pain caused by broken promises and empty words. They also touch on the themes of hypocrisy, anger, and disappointment.


Line by Line Meaning

You'd better believe I'm coming
I am coming and you should have faith in my words


You'd better believe what I say
I am truthful and you should trust me


You'd better hold on to your promises, because
You should keep your promises because


You bet you'll get what you deserve
You will be rewarded based on what you have done


She's going to leave him over
She is going to leave him for


She's going take her love away
She will take her love elsewhere


So much for your eternal vows
Your vows were empty and meaningless


Well it does not matter anyway
It doesn't matter in any case


Why can't you stay
Why can't you remain


Here awhile
Here for some time


Stay here awhile
Remain here for a period of time


Stay with me
Continue being with me


All the promises we made (promises we made)
All the commitments we agreed on


All the meaningless and empty words I prayed
All the false and ineffective expressions I used


All the promises we broke (promises we broke)
All the commitments we failed to keep


All the meaningless and empty words I spoke
All the false and useless things I said


What of all the things that you taught me
What about all the lessons you imparted to me


What of all the things that you'd say
What about all the things you said


What of all your prophetic preaching
What about your predictions and teachings


You're just throwing it all away
You are discarding it all


Maybe we should burn the house down
Perhaps we should destroy everything we have built


Have ourselves another fight
Engage in another argument


Leave the cobwebs in the closet
Leave everything old and neglected in the past


'Cause tearing them out is just not right
Removing them is not the right thing to do


Oh, oh, oh
Expressing emotion without words


Oh eh, oh eh, oh eh, oh eh, oh eh
Repeating a vocalization without meaning


Hey hey
A vocal exclamation




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DOLORES MARY O'RIORDAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Thorsten-Tom-Martin

[LYRICS/Verse 1]
If you need a friend
Don't look to a stranger
You know in the end, I'll always be there
But when you're in doubt
And when you're in danger
Take a look all around, and I'll be there

[Chorus]
I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say (I promise)
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be (promise)
But if you wait around a while, I'll make you fall for me
I promise, I promise you I will

[Verse 2]
When your day is through
And so is your temper
You know what to do
I'm gonna always be there
Sometimes if I shout
It's not what's intended
These words just come out
With no cross to bear

[Chorus]
I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say (I promise)
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be (promise)
But if you wait around a while, I'll make you fall for me
I promise, I promise you

I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say (I promise)
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be (promise)
And if I had to walk the world, I'd make you fall for me
I promise you, I promise you I will

[Bridge]
I gotta tell you
Need to tell you
Gotta tell you
I've gotta tell you

[Chorus]
I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say (I promise)
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be (promise)
But if you wait around a while, I'll make you fall for me (I promise)
I promise, I promise you

I'm sorry, but I'm just thinking of the right words to say (I promise)
I know they don't sound the way I planned them to be (promise)
And if I had to walk the world, I'd make you fall for me
I promise you, I promise you I will
I will
I will......



All comments from YouTube:

@gewhite3

Who's still listening to this awesome classic in 2024?

@Chris-om8si

I sure am ❤❤😊

@dinorcirochadossantos2290

Essa ta na playlist do refúgio. Onde encontro paz ou respiro findo pra continuar

@briant4293

Brian is!

@johnthomas-vy3th

Another masterpiece from way back when

@jrmetmoi

Me

42 More Replies...

@gengen6072

Moment of silence for people who never find this song 😔

@christabelle3758

Haaaaa ohh lololol, you made me laugh @Gen gen!!!! Haaaa... i know right?! 😝😁☺️

@pinku708

I just found out about it now.

@christabelle3758

@@pinku708 😀☺️👍🏼🤗

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