Code Of Silence
Bruce Springsteen Lyrics


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There's a code of silence that we don't dare speak
There's a wall between and the river's deep
We keep pretending that there's nothing wrong
But there's a code of silence and it can't go on

Is the truth so elusive, so elusive you see
that it ain't enough baby
To bridge the distance between you and me
There's a list of grievance 100 miles long
There's a code of silence and it can't go on

Well you walk with your eyes open
But your lips they remain sealed
While the promises we made are broken
Beneath the truth we fear to reveal
Now I need to know now darlin'
I need to know what's goin' on so c'mon

Well you walk with your eyes open
But your lips they remain sealed
While the promises we made are broken
Beneath the truth we fear to reveal
Now I need to know now darlin'
I need to know what's goin' on so c'mon

There's a code of silence that we don't dare speak
There's a wall between and the river's deep




We keep pretending that there's nothing wrong
But there's a code of silence and it can't go on

Overall Meaning

The song "Code of Silence" by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band is a powerful commentary on the importance of honesty in relationships. The opening lines of the song describe a "code of silence" that exists between the singer and his partner, suggesting that there are issues that they are both aware of but are avoiding addressing. The "wall" between them and the "deep river" suggest that their relationship is in danger of collapsing, but they continue to pretend that everything is fine. This theme is reinforced throughout the song, particularly in the second verse where the singer describes the distance between them as being too great to bridge, despite a "list of grievances 100 miles long."


The chorus is particularly impactful, emphasizing the urgency of the situation and the need for the code of silence to be broken. The repetition of the refrain "there's a code of silence and it can't go on" underscores the necessity of honesty and transparency in any relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

There's a code of silence that we don't dare speak
There's a tacit agreement to keep silent and not share the truth.


There's a wall between and the river's deep
There's an insurmountable obstacle that separates us, making it difficult to reveal the truth.


We keep pretending that there's nothing wrong
We continue to behave as if everything is perfectly fine, even though we know it's not.


But there's a code of silence and it can't go on
The secrecy and avoidance can't continue indefinitely, as it's preventing us from addressing the underlying problems.


Is the truth so elusive, so elusive you see
Is the reality so hard to find, difficult to discern for you?


that it ain't enough baby
that what we have now isn't sufficient to fix our issues.


To bridge the distance between you and me
To overcome the divide between us and our respective perspectives.


There's a list of grievance 100 miles long
There's a multitude of wrongs and injustices that have been done, causing hurt and resentment.


Well you walk with your eyes open
You're aware of what's going on around you.


But your lips they remain sealed
Despite your awareness, you're choosing to keep your thoughts to yourself instead of speaking up.


While the promises we made are broken
Our commitments to one another have been disregarded or unfulfilled.


Beneath the truth we fear to reveal
We're hesitant to expose the reality, as we're afraid of how the other person will react.


Now I need to know now darlin'
I'm desperate to find out the truth, my love.


I need to know what's goin' on so c'mon
It's time to come clean and share what's really happening between us.


There's a code of silence that we don't dare speak
There's a tacit agreement to keep silent and not share the truth.


There's a wall between and the river's deep
There's an insurmountable obstacle that separates us, making it difficult to reveal the truth.


We keep pretending that there's nothing wrong
We continue to behave as if everything is perfectly fine, even though we know it's not.


But there's a code of silence and it can't go on
The secrecy and avoidance can't continue indefinitely, as it's preventing us from addressing the underlying problems.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, JOE GRUSHECKY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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