Saint Veronika
Billy Talent Lyrics


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They found an empty bottle on her windowsill
The day her mother lost her sleeping pills
She was sick and tired of being invisible
Hard to see in color when you're miserable

Veronika, Saint Veronika
You can't leave this world behind
So be strong enough to hold onto us
We're still right here by your side

No one ever thought that she was capable
And the damage done is irreversible
Now she clings to life inside a hospital
Like she's trapped inside a frozen waterfall
Always said her life was never meant to be
Stuck here living someone else's dream
Well beyond your window there is so much more
Even every prison has a open door

Veronika, Saint Veronika
You can't leave this world behind
So be strong enough to hold onto us
It's just not your time to die

And while the angels sleep
All of the devils are awake
Waiting to steal your love
Right outside of Heaven's gate
And all the sacred hearts
Can't numb the feeling from the pain
Cause when the drugs don't work
You're gonna curse His holy name
Damn God, yeah, God, yeah
Damn God, yeah, God, yeah

Veronika, Saint Veronika
You can't leave this world behind
Oh Veronika, Saint Veronika
We're still right here by your side
So be strong enough to hold onto us
You can't leave this world behind




Oh Veronika, Saint Veronika
It's just not your time to die

Overall Meaning

The song "Saint Veronika" by Billy Talent is a tribute to a young girl named Veronika who is struggling with her own problems and is on the verge of giving up. The lyrics describe how Veronika had lost hope and was on the verge of committing suicide. The song starts with the description of an empty bottle found on her windowsill, indicating her mother's loss of sleeping pills, which Veronika may have used to numb her pain. Veronika was tired of being invisible, constantly ignored and overlooked, which led her to feel miserable and alone.


The song encourages Veronika to hold on to life and not give up. It urges her to be strong enough to hold on to her loved ones who are still by her side. Veronika is described as a saint, someone who should not leave this world behind. She is told that even if she thinks she is living someone else's dream, there is still so much more out there for her. The lyrics represent a message of hope to Veronika, urging her to hold on tight and not give up on life.


Overall, "Saint Veronika" is a powerful and moving ode to those who struggle with mental health issues and depression. Through the lyrics, Billy Talent encourages everyone to hold on to hope and to never give up on life.


Line by Line Meaning

They found an empty bottle on her windowsill
They found an empty bottle near her window, implying that she had attempted suicide.


The day her mother lost her sleeping pills
The day when her mother lost her sleeping pills is the same day she tried to overdose on them.


She was sick and tired of being invisible
She was feeling ignored and unnoticed by everyone around.


Hard to see in color when you're miserable
It's difficult to feel happy and positive when feeling utterly miserable.


Veronika, Saint Veronika
Veronika is the person being addressed and they're referred to as Saint Veronika, a term used ironically to mock her.


You can't leave this world behind
Don't give up on life and don't commit suicide.


So be strong enough to hold onto us
Stay strong and hold on to life and to the people supporting you.


We're still right here by your side
You're not alone in this and your loved ones are still supporting you through your struggles.


No one ever thought that she was capable
Nobody expected her to attempt suicide or struggle with mental illness.


And the damage done is irreversible
The after-effects of suicide attempts can be irreversible and lead to severe physical and mental damage.


Now she clings to life inside a hospital
She's severely injured and is fighting for her life in a hospital.


Like she's trapped inside a frozen waterfall
Her condition is like being trapped inside a frozen body of water, where she's unable to move or escape the situation.


Always said her life was never meant to be
She always thought that she wasn't meant to exist and that her life was insignificant.


Stuck here living someone else's dream
She feels like she's forced to live someone else's dream and not her own.


Well beyond your window there is so much more
There's so much more to life than what she can see from her window.


Even every prison has an open door
Even when life seems hopeless and inescapable like a prison, there's always a chance for escape and a way out.


And while the angels sleep
This line suggests that not even the divine powers (angels) can help during these difficult times.


All of the devils are awake
The evil and negative thoughts/feelings become more prominent during these times.


Waiting to steal your love
Negative emotions and depression can take away the ability to love oneself and others.


Right outside of Heaven's gate
This line is a metaphor about how depression and suicide are often associated with death and how this 'devil' is present before someone enters heaven.


And all the sacred hearts
The sacred hearts refer to holy or divine powers like God and angels.


Can't numb the feeling from the pain
Divine powers can't remove the emotional or mental pain that someone is feeling.


Cause when the drugs don't work
This line suggests that the person has relied on drugs or medication to ease the pain but is now unable to find relief from them.


You're gonna curse His holy name
This line suggests that the person blames God or divine powers for their pain and suffering.


Oh Veronika, Saint Veronika
This line is repeated to address Veronika and suggest that she should remain strong and live her life to the fullest.


It's just not your time to die
This line highlights the importance of staying alive and not giving up hope.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AARON SOLOWONIUK, BEN KOWALEWICZ, IAN D'SA, JON GALLANT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@keithdube12

Such an underrated song by Billy Talent. Impressive screams by the singer as well.

@AnubisDark

one of my all time favorite

@FableWolfe

Yeah, it's my favourite Billy Talent Song

@jameslee445

This Suffering is my fav

@Silent_Suika

since when was it underrated? lul white sparrows is still my fav tho :3

@TomHamilton24

It is a little overshadowed by Rusted From the Rain and Devil on My Shoulder. I definitely think this one is the best from BTIII

@doriancroatia2054

These guys really know what means to WRITE a song :)) Incredible words in every single song

@Lilac_Blossom87

Nice I got this comment to 69 likes.

@sarakaster

Well it's after a book by Paulo Coelho - Veronika decides to die.

@sandrajovic9078

THAT'S write!!

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