Walk the Fleet Road
Editors Lyrics


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A winter wind blows
In from the North
Scratches your spine
Cold like the forth
But you're a long way from home
Through the dark we tiptoe
The hospital looms
As we walk Fleet Road

Hold your tongue
Swallow your venom
You're too young
Hold your tongue

No push and no shove
Spit your verbal mace
Hate can turn to love
Not for this human race, oh

Hold your tongue
Swallow your venom
You're too young
Hold your tongue
Hold your tongue (My heart)
Swallow your venom (Will explode)




You're too young (As we walk)
Hold your tongue (The Fleet Road)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Editors' song Walk the Fleet Road paint a vivid picture of a cold and dark winter's night, as the singer walks down Fleet Road towards a hospital. The first verse sets the scene, with the biting cold wind and the feeling of being a long way from home. The line "scratches your spine, cold like the forth" is particularly effective, using the double meaning of "forth" to suggest both the river and the idea of moving forward into the unknown. The second verse is more introspective, with the instructions to "hold your tongue" and "swallow your venom" implying that the singer may have something they want to say or do, but are choosing not to. The repetition of "hold your tongue" and "swallow your venom" adds to the sense of restraint and tension.


The chorus is also repeated a few times, with the line "you're too young" standing out as an interesting choice. There are a few possible interpretations of this - it could be a warning to the singer that they are not experienced enough to handle whatever situation they are in, or it could be a broader commentary on the idea that we are all still learning and growing, no matter how old we are. The lyrics could also be read as a cautionary tale about the dangers of anger and hate - "no push and no shove, spit your verbal mace" - and a reminder that love and compassion are the antidote to these negative emotions.


Overall, Walk the Fleet Road is a haunting and atmospheric song that captures a sense of unease and uncertainty. The lyrics are open to interpretation, but they could be seen as a meditation on the idea of restraint and the ways in which we hold ourselves back from doing or saying what we really want. The hospital setting also adds an extra layer of meaning, hinting at illness, death, and the fragility of life.


Line by Line Meaning

A winter wind blows
The cold, biting wind of winter is present


In from the North
This wind is coming from the north, possibly from the Arctic Circle


Scratches your spine
The wind is so cold that it physically affects your body


Cold like the forth
The wind is as cold as the Firth of Forth, a body of water in Scotland


But you're a long way from home
Despite the harsh cold, the artist is far from where they call home


Through the dark we tiptoe
The group is moving quietly through the darkness


The hospital looms
The hospital is visible in the distance, possibly as a place the group is headed to or avoiding


As we walk Fleet Road
The group is walking down Fleet Road, most likely a street in a city


Hold your tongue
Do not speak out in anger


Swallow your venom
Do not let your anger or hateful feelings escape


You're too young
You have not yet learned how to handle these emotions


No push and no shove
Do not resort to violence


Spit your verbal mace
Instead of violence, use your words to hurt


Hate can turn to love
There is always a possibility for change and love despite hate


Not for this human race, oh
However, it seems that this possibility may not be present for humans


Hold your tongue (My heart)
Do not speak out in anger (because my heart)


Swallow your venom (Will explode)
Do not let your anger or hateful feelings escape (because they will only harm you)


You're too young (As we walk)
You have not yet learned how to handle these emotions (as we keep moving forward)


Hold your tongue (The Fleet Road)
Do not speak out in anger (as we continue down Fleet Road)




Contributed by Sydney G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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