Rest
Alanis Morissette Lyrics


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All these relief-givers
The needle sure revs in the red
Chemicals like hugs from inside
They feel like my best friend
You think me a coward but I am a warrior
With many voices in my head
When I looked around and I reached out
I saw no alternative

And God rest, God rest our souls
And this substance is the only comfort I know
He's been pushing for a while
Can we cut this man some slack
And let him lie down, let him lie down

We are a country desperate for the embryonic
I'm cold and I'm hungry
And I yearn for a hand on my forehead
You think it's a walk in the park and it's easy
"She's got it as good as it gets"
This misunderstanding's a line between living
Or being a walking dead

And God rest, please rest our souls
And the more I take, the less comfort I know
She's been pushing for a while
Can we cut this woman slack
Let her lie down, let her lie down
The more that you hurl at me
The more I will curl up in my bed

And where's the humanity?
Aren't we all hovering around the same end?
Door number one, two and three have been promises
That aren't real enough to be kept
You wish me a speedy recovery
But when you turn, I plumb the depths

And God rest, God please rest our souls
This is the surest exit I have known
We've been hurting for a while
Can we cut ourselves some slack




Let us lie down, let us lie down
Let us lie down, let me lie down

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Alanis Morissette's song "Rest" touches on the struggles of addiction and the desperation that can come with it. The first verse describes the notion of turning to substances as a means of relief, and how it feels like the only way to cope with difficult emotions. The line "chemicals like hugs from inside" suggests that drugs provide a sense of comfort and support, much like a hug would. The second verse delves deeper into the internal conflict that arises when someone is dealing with addiction. The singer knows that they are not a coward, but rather a warrior fighting with numerous voices in their head. These voices may represent the struggle between wanting to stay clean and wanting to give in to the addiction.


When the singer tries to seek help, they find that there is a lack of alternatives available to them. The reference to "God rest, God rest our souls" is a plea for divine intervention - a hopeful exclamation that perhaps a higher power can bring some sort of relief or comfort to their situation. The final verse highlights the isolation and sense of failure that often accompanies addiction. The singer feels misunderstood and alone, as they struggle to recover amidst the false promises and lack of support.


Overall, the lyrics speak to the complexity of addiction and the challenges that those who suffer from it face. The song acknowledges the desperate search for relief and the sense of hopelessness that often coincides with addiction. While the topic is heavy and grim, there is also a sense of hope in the singer's plea for rest and relief from the struggle.


Line by Line Meaning

All these relief-givers
There are many things that people try to do for comfort like rely on drugs to offer relief


The needle sure revs in the red
Addiction is a serious issue, and sometimes people turn to drugs to deal with their issues


Chemicals like hugs from inside
Drugs offer a feeling of comfort internally


They feel like my best friend
Drugs can sometimes become a person's only source of comfort


You think me a coward but I am a warrior
People might assume someone who is addicted to drugs is weak, but in reality, they are fighting a battle every day


With many voices in my head
Sometimes, the addict has conflicting emotions and thoughts alone within themselves.


When I looked around and I reached out
The addict has searched for alternative ways of dealing with their issues.


I saw no alternative
Nothing else has given them the comfort their addiction provides them.


And God rest, God rest our souls
May God provide comfort to those fighting addiction


And this substance is the only comfort I know
The addiction has become their only source of comfort, and they cannot see any other way out.


He's been pushing for a while
The person has been struggling with addiction and needs a break


Can we cut this man some slack
Can we be compassionate towards this man and offer him some leniency


And let him lie down, let him lie down
And let him rest


We are a country desperate for the embryonic
As a country, we are in need of something brand new


I'm cold and I'm hungry
I am in need of both physical and emotional sustenance


And I yearn for a hand on my forehead
I yearn for someone who can offer me comfort and reassurance


You think it's a walk in the park and it's easy
You assume my struggle is easy and not as serious as it is


"She's got it as good as it gets"
People on the outside might assume that the addict's life is great, but in reality, it is far from it


This misunderstanding's a line between living
This misunderstanding is the difference between a happy and fulfilling life and a life of suffering


Or being a walking dead
The addiction can be viewed as living a life that is not a true existence


And God rest, please rest our souls
Please, God, provide comfort to those struggling with addiction


And the more I take, the less comfort I know
The more the person takes drugs, the less comfort they feel, and the more the addiction takes hold of their life.


She's been pushing for a while
The person has been struggling for a long time with addiction and needs a break.


Can we cut this woman slack
Can we be compassionate towards this woman and offer her leniency?


Let her lie down, let her lie down
Let her rest


The more that you hurl at me
The more people judge and criticize me


The more I will curl up in my bed
The more the person will turn inward and isolate themselves


And where's the humanity?
Where are the compassionate people who can offer support and understanding toward those struggling with addiction?


Aren't we all hovering around the same end?
Are not we all human beings, trying to live our lives and find meaning in our own way?


Door number one, two and three have been promises
The doors of recovery have been presented as options, but they have not come through as promised.


That aren't real enough to be kept
The options that have been presented are not realistic or helpful enough to offer any significant change.


You wish me a speedy recovery
You might wish me a quick recovery from addiction, but it is not that simple.


But when you turn, I plumb the depths
But when others leave or turn their backs on me, I sink even lower into my addiction and despair.


This is the surest exit I have known
This addiction seems like the only way out of the current, insurmountable pain in the person's life.


We've been hurting for a while
The person and others who care for them have been in pain and struggling for a long time.


Can we cut ourselves some slack
Can we, as a society and individuals, offer ourselves compassion, understanding, and support in dealing with addiction?


Let us lie down, let us lie down
Let us rest


Let me lie down
Let me rest




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Alanis Morissette, Glen Ballard

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@lorrieannesilvey474

How many times can one flower bloom? This artist blooms over and over again. Beautiful and relevant every time......😊

@elmardiedrich3438

Beautiful words. So true… like coming Home again and again 🍀❤️✌️🙏

@crookedithagoat794

I'm so glad she's appreciated

@mynakedtruth8065

She is "Treated like a rose as an Orchid"

@AdamJMusic23

Thought that might be a genuine lyric in this song, REST. ❤️ I know exactly what you mean Re:Alanis Genius & Evolution...💯 Loving this & her whole Lockdown era, especially 💎

@mynakedtruth8065

@Adam.J. Music My comment is a genuine Alanis lyric.

22 More Replies...

@pattyhaley2949

Never heard this song until Lisa Marie's funeral. What a hauntingly brilliant song. When you sing about the woman who needs to lie down, can we please let her lie down. Your words are speaking to Lisa Marie who was broken and just wanted peace. You honored her well Alanis ❤️❤️. I'm now forever going to listen to this masterpiece and reflect on my loved ones who God has given Rest to their souls.

@jao62223

Oh I missed that funeral but my heart was there with her bless her heart

@pattyhaley2949

@@joycecherry1962 it was so beautiful and sad at the same time. Lisa's passing was so heartbreaking and it was almost like losing Elvis all over again. I definitely want to visit Graceland but seeing those graves is going to be hard on this old gal 😞😓😞😓

@Dreamerstbatn

Beautifully said dear. Thank you 😊

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