Shelter
Dorothy Lyrics


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I'm a hurricane
I'm a freight train
Ain't the right way
But it's the only way I know

So when my bones come tumblin' in
I did it to myself
Will you still let me in

Will you give me shelter
Will you give me shelter
Will you give me shelter
From myself
Will you give me shelter
Will you give me shelter
Will you give me shelter
From myself
From myself

I'm a world of pain
And you're a safe place
When I run away
You're the only home I know
I'm still runnin'
I'm still runnin'

So when my bones come tumblin' in
Oh I did it to myself
Will you still let me in

Will you give me shelter
Will you give me shelter
Will you give me shelter
From myself
Will you give me shelter
Will you give me shelter
Will you give me shelter
From myself
From myself

Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh
Cause I need shelter
Ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh
From myself

Cause when my bones come tumblin' in
Oh I did it to myself
Will you still let me in
Will you still let me in

Will you give me shelter
Will you give me shelter
Will you give me shelter
From myself
Will you give me shelter
Will you give me shelter
Will you give me shelter
From myself
From myself





Cause I'm a hurricane
I'm a freight train

Overall Meaning

In the song Shelter by Dorothy, the singer is acknowledging that they are destructive to themselves and possibly to others, likening themselves to a hurricane and a freight train. They recognize that this behavior isn't the right way to live, but it's the only way that they know. Yet, amidst this inner turmoil, the singer feels safe with their significant other. They see their partner as a home and a shelter, a refuge from themselves. The repeated plea to their lover to "give [them] shelter, from myself" shows a desire for someone to help them cope with these self-destructive tendencies, and to help them find a way to live more peacefully.


The lyrics convey a sense of surrender, as the singer recognizes that they have brought this pain upon themselves. They don't want to be turned away by their lover for their flaws, but rather want to be taken in and loved despite them. The use of the phrase "bones come tumblin' in" recalls an image of destruction and chaos, as if the singer is a runaway train that has finally come to a screeching halt. Ultimately, the song is a plea for support, understanding, and love, in the face of internal turmoil.


Line by Line Meaning

i'm a hurricane
I am a force of nature, powerful and uncontrollable.


i'm a freight train
I am unstoppable and moving quickly, with no regard for what's in my path.


ain't the right way
I know I'm not doing things the best way, but I can't seem to change.


but it's the only way i know
This is the only way I have learned to cope with my pain and emotions.


so when my bones come tumblin' in
When I inevitably crash and burn, and all my weaknesses are exposed.


i did it to myself
I knew what I was doing, and I am the one responsible for my own pain.


will you still let me in
Even though I've messed up, will you still accept me and love me?


will you give me shelter
Will you provide me with the emotional support and comfort that I so desperately need?


from myself
Help me escape from my own self-destructive tendencies.


i'm a world of pain
I am carrying a lot of emotional baggage and trauma.


and you're a safe place
You are a source of comfort and stability for me.


when i run away
When I try to escape my problems and my past.


you're the only home i know
You are the constant in my life, the one I can always turn to.


i'm still runnin'
I am still trying to escape my pain and problems, even though I know I can't run forever.


ooh ooh ooh
Expressing the depth of my emotions and my need for comfort.


cause i need shelter
I am admitting that I can't do this alone, I need help and support.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DOROTHY MARTIN, MARK JACKSON, IAN SCOTT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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