His music is NOT an attempt to drunkenly lash out with personal demons. His music is NOT an attempt to escape and fortify nor to overindulge and obsess. Scott-David's music is brave. Hopeful. Honest. His lyrics and music contain a humility that comforts the human condition.
Purgatory
A Covenant of Thorns Lyrics
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I am the God of pain
I am the God of agony
God of the insane
Will you look into my soul
And tell me what you find?
Tell me this emptiness
I am the keeper of fear
I am the keeper of fate
I am the keeper of nothing
The keeper of all hate
Will you hide me away
And help my wounds to heal?
Wrap your arms around me
And teach me how to feel
I don't want your forgiveness
I don't want your blame
I don't want forever
I don't want to be the same
I wish I knew what it was that you were searching for this time
I think I know what it is that you've been missing all this time
Tell me I brought it on myself
All of this decay
Tell me God will always love me
And could wash it all away
Tell me that you know how I feel
And it makes you love me more
Tell me that you understand me
And you've seen it all before
The lyrics to A Covenant of Thorns's song Purgatory describe a deeply personal and introspective conversation with a higher power, possibly God. The singer identifies themselves as a god of emptiness, pain, and insanity, and also as the keeper of fear, fate, and hate. They question the listener, asking them to look into their soul and determine whether the emptiness they feel is real or just a product of their state of mind. The singer asks the listener to comfort them and help them heal their wounds, both physical and emotional. They express a desire to change, but also an unwillingness to accept blame or forgiveness from others. The lyrics suggest a plea for understanding and acceptance from a source of divine guidance.
The mention of purgatory in the title of the song implies a sense of being stuck in a limbo-like state, not fully accepted by either heaven or hell. The singer seems to feel lost and in need of guidance, expressing a desire to understand and be understood. The tone of the song is melancholic and introspective, with a sense of longing for something unattainable.
Line by Line Meaning
I am the God of emptiness
I represent emptiness and nothingness.
I am the God of pain
I represent pain and suffering.
I am the God of agony
I represent great physical and emotional pain.
God of the insane
I represent the chaotic and unstable thoughts of the mentally ill.
Will you look into my soul
Can you see the depths of my being?
And tell me what you find?
What do you see within me?
Tell me this emptiness
Can you assure me that my emptiness is not permanent?
Is just a state of mind
Perhaps it is only temporary.
I am the keeper of fear
I hold onto and control all of your fears.
I am the keeper of fate
I control your destiny.
I am the keeper of nothing
I have no possessions.
The keeper of all hate
I hold onto and control all of the negative emotions and energy.
Will you hide me away
Can you protect me from the harsh outside world?
And help my wounds to heal?
Can you help me recover from my pain?
Wrap your arms around me
Embrace and comfort me.
And teach me how to feel
Help me learn to experience emotion.
I don't want your forgiveness
I do not seek your forgiveness.
I don't want your blame
I do not want to be accused of wrongdoing.
I don't want forever
I do not desire eternity.
I don't want to be the same
I want to change and evolve.
I wish I knew what it was that you were searching for this time
I am curious about your intentions.
I think I know what it is that you've been missing all this time
I believe I know what you have been lacking.
Tell me I brought it on myself
Tell me if my suffering is my own fault.
All of this decay
All of the destruction and rot.
Tell me God will always love me
Give me the assurance that God will never forsake me.
And could wash it all away
God has the power to cleanse and purify.
Tell me that you know how I feel
Show me your empathy.
And it makes you love me more
Your love for me increases with your understanding of my struggles.
Tell me that you understand me
Demonstrate that you comprehend my pain.
And you've seen it all before
You have witnessed and experienced similar suffering.
Contributed by Lillian M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.