Beginning violin lessons at the age of 8, Stratton followed quickly with cello lessons at 10, the piano at 11, and guitar at 16. It was through the piano that Stratton discovered a passion for writing and performing songs. After moving to Los Angeles in 1995, Casey signed with Magic Records. Work then began on the recordings that would eventually become his first full-length release, The Giver and the Grave Digger, which was released in 1996.
In 1997, after deciding not to renew his contract with Magic Records, Stratton began his first self-produced album, Lily Sleeps.
In the summer of 2000 Stratton moved to Chicago where he began a nearly two year hiatus from the record industry. He immersed himself in writing and recorded an independent album called The Winter Children. Many of these tracks would be re-recorded later and included on his Sony release Standing at the Edge.
Stratton's 6th studio album, "DIVIDE", was released in October 2005 on Stratton's independent label, Sleeping Pill Music. His next album, The Crossing, was released in April 2007. This was followed by Orbit, digitally released on February 5, 2008.
Memories and Photographs was released in September 2009, followed by A Winter Moon, an album of holiday music, in December 2009. Casey's next project, Myth & Stars, largely based on Greek Mythology, was released on September 21, 2010.
Sacrifice
Casey Stratton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am ready to feed you to the night
I don't have time to coddle you
While you're repeating the cycle
You just need a fixation to pass the time
Can you just for once
Take care of yourself?
I am far too tired to hear it one more time
You are your own sacrifice
Why must you wallow in all your delusions?
Nail yourself to the cross at least once a week
Well you've got some nerve to lay all your demons at my feet
Far too used to expecting so much from me
I will not supply
What you need this time
I don't have any strength left
But you never see what is troubling me
You just turn the other cheek
You are your own sacrifice
(You are the sacrifice
In your own minds eye
Ritual brings fuel
So cruel is your life)
Let go of me
I cannot remember anything
So low and too far gone
To carry the weight
And I know that you say so
But I'm depleted of my energy
I can't bear your cold stare
Toward the sky
The song Sacrifice by Casey Stratton, is a plea to someone who is always stuck in a cycle of sadness and self-pity. The lyrics suggest that this person is addicted to their own negativity and constantly seeks external validation through their self-destructive behaviors. The opening lines "you call the darkness back to you, I am ready to feed you to the night" imply that the person is inviting their sadness and welcoming it into their life. The singer seems fed up with constantly having to deal with this person's negativity and is urging them to take responsibility for their own well-being. The line "I don't have time to coddle you while you're repeating the cycle" suggests that the singer has been there for this person before but is now tired of enabling their behavior. The chorus "you are your own sacrifice" reinforces this idea by suggesting that this person is willingly sacrificing their happiness on the altar of their own negative thoughts.
The second verse continues to address the person's self-destructive behavior but takes a more confrontational tone. The line "nail yourself to the cross at least once a week" is a reference to Jesus' crucifixion and implies that this person enjoys playing the victim. The singer seems to be taking a stand against this behavior and is no longer willing to take on the burden of this person's problems. The line "far too used to expecting so much from me" suggests that this person has come to rely on the singer to constantly save them from themselves. The final verse speaks to the singer's exhaustion and the toll that dealing with this person's problems has taken on them. The line "I don't have any strength left, but you never see what is troubling me" suggests that this person is so self-involved that they don't even realize the toll that their behavior is taking on others.
Line by Line Meaning
You call the darkness back to you
You intentionally invite negative emotions and thoughts into your life
I am ready to feed you to the night
I am prepared to let you suffer the consequences of your actions
I don't have time to coddle you
I am not able to constantly comfort and reassure you
While you're repeating the cycle
You continue to make the same mistakes over and over again
You just need a fixation to pass the time
You seek distractions to avoid confronting your problems
Can you just for once
Take care of yourself?
Can you try to be more self-sufficient and take control of your life?
Can you try to handle this?
Can you attempt to deal with your issues on your own for once?
I am far too tired to hear it one more time
I am exhausted from constantly having to listen to your problems
You are your own sacrifice
You are the one causing harm and suffering to yourself
Why must you wallow in all your delusions?
Why do you insist on believing in false or unrealistic ideas?
Nail yourself to the cross at least once a week
You purposely subject yourself to pain and suffering on a regular basis
Well you've got some nerve to lay all your demons at my feet
It is audacious and unfair for you to expect others to handle your problems for you
Far too used to expecting so much from me
You have become accustomed to relying heavily on others for support
I will not supply
What you need this time
I am not able to provide the emotional support you require at this moment
I don't have any strength left
I am emotionally drained and cannot provide any more help
But you never see what is troubling me
You do not consider how your behavior affects those around you
You just turn the other cheek
You choose to ignore others' needs and concerns
Let go of me
Stop relying on me for support and guidance
I cannot remember anything
I am at a loss for how to help you
So low and too far gone
You are at a point where you are beyond help
To carry the weight
To handle the burden of your problems
And I know that you say so
But I'm depleted of my energy
I understand that you are struggling, but I am emotionally exhausted
I can't bear your cold stare
Toward the sky
I cannot tolerate your avoidance of responsibility and refusal to confront your problems
Contributed by Alexander R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.