Growing up in Malibu, California, she began learning the violin at the age of four and left regular school five years later with the goal of becoming a world-class violinist; she practiced eight or nine hours a day and read a wide range of literature. Progressing to writing her own music, she studied under various teachers and went to Indiana University, which she left over issues regarding the relationship between classical music and the appearance of the performer. Through her own independent label Traitor Records, Autumn debuted with her classical album On a Day: Music for Violin & Continuo, followed by the release in 2003 of her album Enchant.
She appeared in singer Courtney Love's backing band on her 2004 America's Sweetheart tour and returned to Europe. She released the 2006 album Opheliac with the German label Trisol Music Group. In 2007, she released Laced/Unlaced; the re-release of On a Day... appeared as Laced with songs on the electric violin as Unlaced. She later left Trisol to join New York-based The End Records in 2009 and release Opheliac in the United States, where previously it had only been available as an import. Currently she is on tour to promote her newest album Fight Like A Girl. She played the role of Painted Doll in Darren Lynn Bousman's 2012 film The Devil's Carnival.
Innocence
Emilie Autumn Lyrics
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And if you can't give it to me
I will cut you down
And I will run you through
With the dagger you sharpened
On my body and soul
Before you slit me in two
And then devoured me whole
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
And if you can't pacify me
I will break your bones
You think I'm bluffing just try me
I will never forget
The words you used to ensnare me
Till my dying day
You'll suffer for this I swear
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
And I demand
You put my heart back in my hand
And wipe it clean
From the mess you made of me
And I require
You make me free from this desire
And when you leave, I'd better be the innocent
I used to be
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
In Emilie Autumn's song "Innocence," the singer is expressing her desire to reclaim the purity and naivete that was taken away from her by someone in her past. Through the repetitive phrase "I want my innocence back," she conveys the intensity of her longing for what was lost. The threatening imagery in the verses suggests that the person who took her innocence will not be let off easily. The dagger sharpened on her body and soul represents the pain that was inflicted on her and the vow to seek revenge. The reference to being "cut...down" and "run...through" implies the punishment that will be dealt out to the perpetrator. In the second verse, the singer continues to express her anger towards the person who ensnared her with their words. She is not afraid to act on her desires and is willing to break bones to regain what was lost. The final verse acts as a demand and a requirement for the one who took her innocence. She wants her heart to be restored to its former state and free from the desire that was instilled in her. She wants to be the innocent person that she was before, and the perpetrator must leave before this can happen.
Line by Line Meaning
I want my innocence back
I wish to regain the purity and naivety I once possessed before I was hurt and betrayed.
And if you can't give it to me
If you are unable or unwilling to help me reclaim my innocence, then there will be consequences.
I will cut you down
I will take action to eliminate any obstacle or threat in my way.
And I will run you through
I will strike you with a sharp weapon and cause you pain.
With the dagger you sharpened
I will use the very tool you used to harm me in order to defend myself.
On my body and soul
Your actions caused me harm both physically and mentally.
Before you slit me in two
You hurt me so deeply that I felt emotionally torn apart.
And then devoured me whole
You consumed my identity and left me broken and fragmented.
And if you can't pacify me
You must take responsibility for your actions and try to make amends.
I will break your bones
If you refuse to make things right, I will take matters into my own hands and seek revenge.
You think I'm bluffing just try me
Don't underestimate my resolve to fight for my dignity and repair the damage you caused.
I will never forget
The trauma you inflicted on me will stay with me forever and influence my future behavior.
The words you used to ensnare me
Your manipulation and deception lured me into a false sense of security before you betrayed me.
Till my dying day
I will carry the scars and pain you caused me until the end of my life.
You'll suffer for this I swear
You will face the consequences of your actions and experience the pain and suffering you caused me.
And I demand
I assert my right to reclaim what you took from me and hold you accountable for the harm you caused.
You put my heart back in my hand
Return my emotional vulnerability and trust to me so I can heal.
And wipe it clean
Remove any residue of your manipulation and betrayal from my heart.
From the mess you made of me
You caused so much chaos and confusion in my life that I lost sight of who I was.
And I require
I demand that you take responsibility for repairing the damage you inflicted.
You make me free from this desire
Help me move past the obsession and compulsion to seek revenge and instead find inner peace.
And when you leave, I'd better be the innocent
I expect to leave this experience with my purity and innocence restored, without any lingering harm or trauma.
I used to be
I want to return to the state of grace I once possessed before you hurt me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EMILIE AUTUMN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind