Atrophy
Cesium:137 Lyrics


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There's a wolf amongst us
He wears my face
Finding solace
In the most fitting place

Lake bound lady
Do you enjoy my company?
As we swim
Beneath the tide
With even symmetry

What lies beneath
Our tales of sorrow
Take this chance
For tomorrow...

A cold wind
Smooths the surface
A half-life becomes a race
Removes all perception
Invoking as altered states

We hold to form
The cure and its disease
As we swim
Beneath the tide
With even symmetry

What lies beneath
Our tales of sorrow
Take this chance
For tomorrow...

There's a wolf
Amongst us
He wears my face
Finding
Solace
Without a trace

What lies beneath
Our tales of sorrow




Take this chance
For tomorrow...

Overall Meaning

"Atrophy" by Cesium:137 is a song about the loss of self-identity and the fear of being consumed by one's own demons. The opening line "there's a wolf amongst us, he wears my face" is a powerful metaphor for the idea that our own internal struggles and negative emotions can manifest themselves as a separate entity that can consume and control us. The song's imagery is centered around the idea of drowning – both figuratively and literally. The lyrics describe a lake-bound lady and the singer swimming beneath the tide in even symmetry, as if they are synchronized in their struggles. The water acts as a symbol for the void within our own minds, and the temptation to give into the darkness that lies beneath. The lyrics implore the listener to take a chance on tomorrow and not be consumed by the fear and sadness of our past.


The song contains a sense of urgency and tension, as if the singer is fighting to hold on to their sense of self-identity against an overwhelming force. The haunting melody and dark lyrics complement each other beautifully, and the overall effect is haunting and powerful. "Atrophy" is a song that speaks volumes about the human condition and the struggle to hold onto one's sense of self amidst trials and tribulations.


Line by Line Meaning

There's a wolf amongst us
There is someone within the group who is untrustworthy or harmful.


He wears my face
The person in question is disguised as someone they are not, possibly even imitating the singer.


Finding solace
The person seeks comfort and relief from something that is causing them distress or pain.


In the most fitting place
The person has found a suitable or appropriate location or situation for finding such solace.


Lake bound lady
Refers to a female who is bound to or associated with a lake, perhaps a mermaid or water nymph.


Do you enjoy my company?
The singer is questioning if this female entity is content in his presence.


As we swim
The singer and the water-bound female are swimming in the lake together, possibly sharing an experience or journey.


Beneath the tide
The two beings are submerged or swimming under the water level.


With even symmetry
The movement, positioning or appearance of the two beings in the water is harmonious or balanced.


What lies beneath
A metaphorical question, implying that below the surface of things there may be deeper, hidden, or otherwise unseen aspects, truths or emotions.


Our tales of sorrow
The singers, or possibly humanity as a whole, have collective narratives of pain, grief and tragedy.


Take this chance
The artist proposes an opportunity to seize or act upon something, perhaps a chance to explore or alter the mysteries beneath the surface.


For tomorrow...
This call to action is for the sake of a better, unknown future, where there may be solutions, redemption or closure.


A cold wind
Nature, or the environment surrounding the characters, is experienced as having a chilly or hostile quality.


Smooths the surface
The wind causes the water of the lake to become still and placid on its surface.


A half-life becomes a race
A rapid process is initiated or accelerated, the results of which may have consequences that last for a long time, possibly having to do with radioactive decay (cesium-137 is a radioactive isotope).


Removes all perception
Something, such as a traumatic event or powerful experience, causes the artist to lose their sense of what is real or true.


Invoking as altered states
The altered mental and emotional states caused by traumatic experience or other strong stimuli are being called upon or invoked in the singer.


We hold to form
Humans tend to hold onto established patterns or structures, maintaining their own beliefs or customs.


The cure and its disease
This refers to the paradoxical nature of how a solution can contain its own problem, or how even remedies can have negative side effects.


There's a wolf
The identity of the person referred to earlier is highlighted again.


Finding solace
Repetition of an earlier line that highlights the person's need for comfort and relief.


Without a trace
The person is able to keep their alter-ego hidden or disguised.


What lies beneath
Repetition of a line that reminds us there is more to the story beneath the surface level of the lyrics.


Our tales of sorrow
Repetition of a previous line, emphasizing the recurring nature of pain and tragedy in human existence.


Take this chance
Repeating an earlier call to action, urging the audience to explore what is hidden or obscured beneath the surface.


For tomorrow...
This sentiment repeats, emphasizing the hopeful (yet uncertain) desire for a better future.




Contributed by Eliana W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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