The Lesson
12:06 Lyrics


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I heard every word you've said
Even if my eyes were closed
I felt every statement you made
Even when you chose not to speak

Look at what I have become
This pathetic shell you've constructed
I am your living legacy
Broken, battered, bruised, by your love

I've learned my lesson well
I sing it in my sleep
You and me till the end

I've learned my lesson well
I cry it in my sleep
You and me till the end

Why can't you look me in the eyes
Does it frighten you to see yourself
I can see how that would cause you pain
I've felt it everyday myself

All at once it seems so clear
I don't have to be trapped here
I can pick up my pieces and walk away
From this shattered life you've led for me

I've learned my lesson well
I sing it in my sleep
You and me till the end

I've learned my lesson well
I cry it in my sleep
You and me till the end

You're nothing without me
I'm nothing with you
I am who you are
I'm better than that
You have no place to go
Anywhere but here
Who else would hold your hand
Then let me go

Take my pride
Take my faith
Take my trust
Take my dignity

I've learned my lesson well
I sing it in my sleep
You and me till the end

I've learned my lesson well




I cry it in my sleep
You and me till the end

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of 12:06's "The Lesson" tell a story of a relationship that has left one person broken and bruised. The singer is addressing their partner, who has constructed a "pathetic shell" out of the singer. The singer has learned their lesson well and sings it in their sleep, realizing that they need to walk away from the shattered life that their partner has led for them.


There is a sense of detachment and resignation in the lyrics, as if the singer has accepted their fate but is now gathering the strength to move forward. The final lines are particularly poignant, as the singer acknowledges that they have lost everything - their pride, their faith, their trust, and their dignity - but they have also gained something valuable: the knowledge that they are better than this.


One interesting interpretation of the lyrics is that the relationship in question may be an abusive one. The use of phrases like "broken, battered, bruised" and the assertion that the partner has constructed a shell out of the singer suggest a situation where the singer is being controlled and manipulated by their partner. The final lines - "Who else would hold your hand / Then let me go" - are particularly telling, as they suggest that the singer has finally recognized that they are not responsible for their partner's well-being and that they need to prioritize their own safety and happiness.


Line by Line Meaning

I heard every word you've said
I listened carefully to everything you said


Even if my eyes were closed
I paid attention even though I closed my eyes


I felt every statement you made
I sensed every message you conveyed


Even when you chose not to speak
I understood your silence just as much


Look at what I have become
My current state is a result of your actions


This pathetic shell you've constructed
You have made me weak and worthless


I am your living legacy
I am a product of your existence and impact


Broken, battered, bruised, by your love
Your version of 'love' has harmed me in every way


I've learned my lesson well
I know exactly what you're capable of


I sing it in my sleep
The lesson is etched in my mind


You and me till the end
Our relationship is doomed forever


Why can't you look me in the eyes
You're afraid to face the real me


Does it frighten you to see yourself
You're scared to confront your own actions


I can see how that would cause you pain
I understand that would hurt you


I've felt it everyday myself
I have also been hurt in the same way


All at once it seems so clear
I now see things in a different light


I don't have to be trapped here
I have the power to escape this situation


I can pick up my pieces and walk away
I can gather myself and leave you behind


From this shattered life you've led for me
I don't have to continue being part of your broken world


You're nothing without me
You need me to validate your existence


I'm nothing with you
Our relationship only brings me down


I am who you are
I am a reflection of your true self


I'm better than that
I am capable of more than you give me credit for


You have no place to go
You have nothing without me


Anywhere but here
You can go anywhere else, but not with me


Who else would hold your hand
You depend on me for emotional support


Then let me go
But you have to learn to let me leave


Take my pride
You have destroyed my self-respect


Take my faith
You have lost my trust


Take my trust
You have shattered my beliefs


Take my dignity
You have humiliated me beyond repair




Contributed by Kayla M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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