Ballad Of The Bastard
Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat Lyrics


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I crushed your heart in my bloody fists
When I did the honest thing and told you of my trysts
Well you demanded truth, that's exactly what you got

You should've killed me there right where I stood
When I casually confessed that I'd been up to no good
You should've just stepped back and taken your best shot
But I assured you then that I could change my ways
And I think that might've lasted for a couple of days
And once again the self-styled lady killer's caught

The sensible solution is to walk away
But I'll cunningly convince you that you've got to stay
I'll poison your resolve and twist your every thought

I don't love you, who knows if I ever did?
Who the fuck did I think I was trying to kid?
You're just the latest sucker that I've sought

Everyone is scared of being on their own




I thought I was the master but my cover's blown
Consider me a lesson deftly taught

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Ballad of the Bastard" by Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat are a confession of a man who has caused pain to his lover by cheating on her. He admits to his infidelity but also acknowledges that he should have been prepared for the consequences. He reveals how his lover demanded he be truthful to her, and when he came forward with the truth, she didn't take it lightly. However, instead of walking away, he cunningly convinced her to stay by poisoning her resolve and twisting her thoughts.


He acknowledges that he never loved her and that she was just the latest in a long line of suckers he had sought out. The song talks about how everyone is scared of being alone, and he thought he was the master, but his cover was eventually blown. The lyrics convey the message of how relationships are tough, and one should not take them for granted. The man understands that he has learned a lesson and hopes that others can learn from his mistakes.


Overall, the song portrays the selfishness and manipulative traits of individuals who hurt their loved ones without a second thought. It is a reminder to be truthful and faithful to one's partners and to be prepared to face the consequences.


Line by Line Meaning

I crushed your heart in my bloody fists
I caused you immense emotional pain through my actions.


When I did the honest thing and told you of my trysts
I revealed my infidelity and was truthful with you.


Well you demanded truth, that's exactly what you got
You wanted the truth, and I was straightforward about my mistakes.


You should've killed me there right where I stood
You had every right to be angry and hurt me severely.


When I casually confessed that I'd been up to no good
I admitted to my unfaithfulness without any real remorse or guilt.


You should've just stepped back and taken your best shot
You could have attacked me physically in response to my betrayal.


But I assured you then that I could change my ways
I promised to improve myself and stop cheating.


And I think that might've lasted for a couple of days
However, I didn't follow through on my promise and reverted to my old behavior.


And once again the self-styled lady killer's caught
I was caught engaging in extramarital affairs yet again.


The sensible solution is to walk away
The best course of action is for us to end our relationship.


But I'll cunningly convince you that you've got to stay
I will manipulate and persuade you to stay with me, despite my wrongdoing.


I'll poison your resolve and twist your every thought
I will manipulate you emotionally, making you doubt yourself and your decisions.


I don't love you, who knows if I ever did?
I may never have actually loved you, despite what I may have said.


Who the fuck did I think I was trying to kid?
I was not fooling anyone, least of all myself, when I claimed to be committed.


You're just the latest sucker that I've sought
You are just another victim of my manipulative and selfish behavior.


Everyone is scared of being on their own
Many people fear being alone and cling to toxic relationships.


I thought I was the master but my cover's blown
I believed I had everything under control, but my dishonesty and infidelity have been exposed.


Consider me a lesson deftly taught
You can view our relationship as a lesson learned about trust and self-respect.




Writer(s): bill wells

Contributed by Lincoln V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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