Long Gone
Bailer Lyrics

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I don't know what you heard but that just ain't me
Fighting for a name you keep tarnishing
You pay for what you get, yeah, you better not forget
I was never one to give an empty threat

This cancer slowly creeping in again
Liar's and scum, are these men
You don't where you stand

You can't question why
They go out with daggers and knives

You're gasping for the clean air you knew
They'll string you up and hang you from the noose

That's what they do

I don't know what you heard but that just ain't me
Fighting for a name you keep tarnishing

Your wounds they bleed internally
Surprised by what you can't see
You don't know where you stand
You can't question why, you go out, eye for an eye

Instability
Breeds Insecurity
I'm not going early
Not like the ones before me
Instability breeds constant misery

We make example from the thing's you say, but never choose to do
We sit and wait for wind's of change to come and carry you away
Over promise, under deliver
We know that's just what you do

Wipe away, you're a thinner
We know all about you

Overall Meaning

In Bailer's song Long Gone, the lyrics speak to the concept of personal identity being distorted and sullied by outside perceptions of one's character. The opening lines "I don't know what you heard but that just ain't me / Fighting for a name you keep tarnishing" confronts the listener with the notion that others may have a skewed view of who you really are, and that fighting to uphold a falsely perceived identity is a futile effort. The line "You pay for what you get, yeah, you better not forget / I was never one to give an empty threat" exudes confidence and self-assurance, reminding the listener that taking responsibility for one's actions and being straightforward with others is a key component to maintaining personal integrity.

As the chorus crescendos, the imagery of knife-wielding, backstabbing individuals is painted through the lines "Liar's and scum, are these men / You don't where you stand / You can't question why / They go out with daggers and knives". Bailer highlights the fear and confusion that can arise from being surrounded by such people, as well as the desire for a breath of relief from the toxicity through the line "You're gasping for the clean air you knew / They'll string you up and hang you from the noose".

The bridge of the song delves into the concept of insecurity and fear bred from instability, with the lines "Instability / Breeds Insecurity / I'm not going early / Not like the ones before me / Instability breeds constant misery". Bailer also points out the disconnect between words and actions in the lines "We make example from the thing's you say, but never choose to do / We sit and wait for wind's of change to come and carry you away / Over promise, under deliver / We know that's just what you do / Wipe away, you're a thinner / We know all about you". This highlights the frustration and disappointment that can arise when someone's words and actions do not align.

Line by Line Meaning

I don't know what you heard but that just ain't me
I am not the person you think I am. Whatever people have told you about me is not true.

Fighting for a name you keep tarnishing
You keep trying to ruin my reputation and I am tired of having to fight to protect it.

You pay for what you get, yeah, you better not forget
You get what you deserve, so don't forget that your actions have consequences.

I was never one to give an empty threat
I have never made a promise that I didn't intend to keep.

This cancer slowly creeping in again
A toxic influence is slowly taking hold once more.

Liar's and scum, are these men
The people causing trouble are dishonest and immoral.

You don't where you stand
You are unsure of your position.

You can't question why
You cannot ask why things are happening or why people are acting the way they are.

They go out with daggers and knives
They are actively plotting and scheming against others.

You're gasping for the clean air you knew
You long for a time when things were simpler and less complicated.

They'll string you up and hang you from the noose
They are willing to go to great lengths to punish you.

That's what they do
This is their pattern of behavior.

Your wounds they bleed internally
Your emotional pain runs deep.

Surprised by what you can't see
You are caught off guard by things that you didn't expect or couldn't anticipate.

You don't know where you stand
You are unsure of your position.

You can't question why, you go out, eye for an eye
You don't have time to ponder why things are happening or why people are behaving a certain way. You must act and retaliate.

Instability
A lack of stability or security.

Breeds Insecurity
This instability leads to feelings of insecurity.

I'm not going early
I am not going to give up or quit easily.

Not like the ones before me
I won't repeat the mistakes of those who came before me.

Instability breeds constant misery
This lack of stability will only lead to more suffering and unhappiness.

We make example from the thing's you say, but never choose to do
We judge you based on the things you talk about and promise, but which you never actually follow through on.

We sit and wait for wind's of change to come and carry you away
We hope that one day things will change and the problem will simply go away.

Over promise, under deliver
You make grand promises that you can't keep.

We know that's just what you do
We are aware of your pattern of behavior and your tendency to overpromise and underdeliver.

Wipe away, you're a thinner
You are insignificant and easily forgotten.

We know all about you
We are fully aware of your true nature and your history of dishonesty and scheming.

Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Bailer

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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