Anthem
Born In The Flood Lyrics


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You had your debt tied up to my sleeves
While I was crumbling down
You overload all the will in me
And made a mockery of my crown
You've taken and left me barren
But in weakness I have found

This is an anthem
This is a call for all
Your eyes look vacant
I hope you can hear me

If you had to base it all upon belief
And forget there's solid ground
Well I've to my face but no release
Lord, I cry out loud
I am not the seed of a failure
And I tremble when you call my name

This is an anthem
This is a call for all, a plea
Your eyes look vacant
I'm standing here pouring out
This is an anthem




I hope you can hear me
I hope you can hear me

Overall Meaning

The song Anthem by Born In The Flood appears to be a heartfelt plea to someone who has hurt the singer deeply. The first verse alludes to the metaphorical weight of debt, which is tied to the singer's sleeves - an indication that this person's actions have had a real, tangible effect on their life. The second line, "while I was crumbling down," implies that the singer was already in a state of emotional or mental distress before this person added to it. The following line, "you overload all the will in me," suggests that this person has drained the singer of their motivation or energy. The phrase "made a mockery of my crown" is particularly interesting as it implies that the singer feels like they have lost their power or prestige in some way. This could be indicative of a power dynamic between the two people, or of a significant betrayal.


The second verse begins with the phrase "if you had to base it all upon belief," which could be interpreted as the person in question holding certain beliefs or values that are at odds with the singer's. The line "and forget there's solid ground" implies that this person is taking risks or being reckless without considering the consequences. The phrase "I've to my face but no release" is slightly enigmatic, but could be taken to mean that the singer has confronted this person before but hasn't found closure. The line "lord, I cry out loud" is a religious reference, suggesting that the singer is begging for help or forgiveness. The final two lines of the verse, "I am not the seed of a failure / and I tremble when you call my name," suggest that the person in question has made the singer doubt themselves in some way, perhaps by implying that they are not good enough.


The chorus of the song serves as an anthem, a rallying cry for anyone who has been through similar experiences. It repeats the phrase "this is an anthem" several times, implying that the song itself could be used as a cathartic expression of emotion. The line "I hope you can hear me" is repeated several times, emphasizing the singer's desire to be heard and understood. The repeated phrase "your eyes look vacant" could indicate that the person in question is either disconnected or uninterested in the singer's emotional state.


Line by Line Meaning

You had your debt tied up to my sleeves
You burdened me with your problems, while I was already struggling.


While I was crumbling down
During a time when I was at my lowest.


You overload all the will in me
You drained me of all my strength and drive.


And made a mockery of my crown
You disrespected my authority and belittled me.


You've taken and left me barren
You've drained me of my resources and left me with nothing.


But in weakness I have found
Despite my struggles, I have discovered inner strength.


This is an anthem
This is a powerful declaration of strength and resilience.


This is a call for all
This is a message for everyone who has felt burdened or powerless.


Your eyes look vacant
You seem disconnected or indifferent.


I hope you can hear me
I hope you are listening to the message I am sharing.


If you had to base it all upon belief
If all you had to go on was your faith or trust in something.


And forget there's solid ground
And let go of the idea that there is a certainty or stability to rely on.


Well I've to my face but no release
I am facing my challenges head-on, but can't seem to find any relief.


Lord, I cry out loud
I am calling out for help or guidance.


I am not the seed of a failure
I am not defined by my past mistakes or shortcomings.


And I tremble when you call my name
I feel anxious or afraid when I am confronted with my shortcomings.


This is a call for all, a plea
This is a message that is urgent and heartfelt.


I'm standing here pouring out
I am expressing my emotions and sharing my struggles.




Contributed by Tristan M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@nicoleshaw9900

it’s 2020 and I’m here because of OTH ❤️

@11abanana

Love this song, love One Tree Hill and Nathan 3

@pix18

I heard this song on "One Tree Hill" and have loved it ever since!....awesome song!

@hollywoodhicks

Nathan's Tryout!

@czapnation

It’s 2021 and I love basketball and the Nathan try out montage and this song was dope

@lh3540

i'm here cuz I used to see them do this in dive bars in denver. these guys were a force live.

@merseburghp

Its 2016 and OTH brought me here

@BrotherBadSeed

I know S.O.B. made him famous, but this is Nathaniel Rateliff’s best song.

“I am not the seed of a failure,
And I tremble when you call my name.”

@frenchonedirectioner

I'm here from skins. and I don't regret it a bit

@oblivion7e

Where can I find the exact song of skins "I'll lead them out"

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