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What Safe Means
Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate) Lyrics


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you settled into uneasy sleep, a subtle hint that things were changing
and every breath of labored rest brought new designs of old regrets.

and how they aged you! how they took your strength away!
(when they entered your body and pinned fear to weight)

pull out! pull out!
lead you weak cells to oxygen, and sew your skin to bone.
you can hold on! hold on!
lend dead weight to stronger hands.
you are not alone.
(you are not alone)
if you're weighed down, i'll lay your fears to rest
you are safe now.
(you are safe now)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate)'s song What Safe Means portray a sense of comfort, protection, and reassurance in times of vulnerability and despair. The first line suggests a state of unease and restlessness, signaling a possible change or transformation occurring in the singer's life. The second line implies that this anxiety is accompanied by a sense of regret, possibly stemming from past experiences or mistakes. The lyrics then shift to discussing the toll that this weight has taken on the singer, physically and emotionally.


The chorus provides a message of hope and support through the use of imperatives and reassurances. The lines "pull out! pull out!" suggest a sense of urgency and the need to escape or detach from negative influences. The phrase "lead your weak cells to oxygen" could be interpreted as a metaphor for purification or healing. The line "you can hold on! hold on!" is repeated for emphasis, perhaps to encourage the listener to persevere and continue fighting. The final lines, "you are not alone" and "you are safe now," convey a sense of community and security, reminding the listener that they have someone to rely on and that they are in a protected space.


Line by Line Meaning

you settled into uneasy sleep, a subtle hint that things were changing
Your restlessness hints that changes are happening in your life.


and every breath of labored rest brought new designs of old regrets.
As you struggle to breathe, you are reminded of past regrets that haunt you.


and how they aged you! how they took your strength away!
The things that have happened to you have aged you and weakened you.


(when they entered your body and pinned fear to weight)
These things have entered your body and left you feeling heavy with fear.


pull out! pull out!
Get rid of these things that are weighing you down.


lead you weak cells to oxygen, and sew your skin to bone.
Take care of yourself, nourish your body, and create a strong foundation.


you can hold on! hold on!
You can endure and persevere through these challenges.


lend dead weight to stronger hands.
Allow others to help you carry the burdens that are too heavy for you to bear alone.


you are not alone.
Remember that you have a support system and people who care about you.


(you are not alone)
Repeated reminder that you are not alone.


if you're weighed down, i'll lay your fears to rest
If you are struggling, I will help ease your fears and worries.


you are safe now.
You can feel secure and protected.




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