Patience
Axl Rose/Duff "Rose" McKagan/Izzy Stradlin/Slash/Steven Adler Lyrics

Well I know, you couldn't love me
The singer acknowledges that the person they love cannot return their feelings.

'Cause you're promised to a wealthy man
The reason for the person's inability to love the singer is because they are engaged to someone else.

Take a look, what are you seeing?
The singer asks the person to assess their own situation and decide if their impending marriage is truly what they want.

Is that a noose or a wedding band
The artist poses a question to the person, asking them to reflect on whether their upcoming marriage is a positive thing, or rather something that will tie them down or cause them to become trapped.

Should I go to see a healer
The artist wonders if they need professional help for the stress and anxiety they are feeling.

Nervous twitchin' in my hands
The singer is experiencing physical symptoms of anxiety, such as shaking hands.

Nervous twitchin' in my head
The singer is experiencing psychological symptoms of anxiety, such as racing thoughts or a sense of unease.

God help me rid this feelin'
The artist asks for divine assistance in overcoming their emotions and concerns.

'Cause I'm fallin' to pieces
The artist feels overwhelmed and is struggling to keep it together emotionally and mentally.

And I can't get out of bed
The artist's emotional state is causing them to experience insomnia or difficulty finding motivation to get up and start the day.

Beggars and hangers-on
The singer is referring to people who try to take advantage of them or bring them down in some way.

Try to take you from me
These individuals are attempting to interfere in the artist's relationship or take away things that are important to them.

Someone with a bible in his pocket
This person is trying to evangelize or convert others to their religion or way of thinking.

Clouding everything you see
This individual is manipulating or distorting the truth, or trying to hide certain perspectives or truths from others.

They chip it away
The negative influences or people in the singer's life are slowly eroding their sense of self or their relationships with others.

Bury your soul in the river
The artist feels that the only way to find peace or closure is to let go of past hurts or emotions and start fresh.

'Cause the end is here to stay
The artist is resigned to the fact that certain things in their life are coming to an end, whether that's a relationship or a state of mind.

I was wrong I don't need you
The singer has come to the realization that they were mistaken in believing they needed the person they previously loved.

It seems reckless and unfair
The singer acknowledges that this realization may be hurtful or difficult to accept.

Better days
The artist hopes that things will improve in the future.

Are far behind
The artist recognizes that they have a lengthy journey ahead of them to move on from their past hurt and regain a sense of contentment.

Guess that's another cross I'll have to bear
The artist understands that overcoming their challenges and burdens won't be easy, but recognizes that it's necessary for growth and healing.

I know that there's a time and a reason
The singer feels assured that everything happens for a reason and that ultimately things will turn out for the best.

To take the ghost and lock it up inside
The artist knows that they need to confront the pain and emotions from their past experiences, and not simply bury them within themselves.

And maybe I am down
The singer may be feeling discouraged or beaten down by their current circumstances.

But I'm not beaten
Despite feeling down, the singer is not ready to give up or succumb to the negative influences around them.

Like anything
The singer suggests that like all living things, they will eventually pass away.

We were born to die
The artist reminds listeners that death is a natural part of life, and encourages them to make the most of their time on this earth.

No no no no
This is simply part of the refrain of the song and does not carry a specific meaning on its own.