Exodus
Evanescence - In The Shadows Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

My black backpack stuffed with broken dreams
Twenty bucks should get me through the week
Never said a word of discontentment
Thought it a thousand times but now
I'm leaving home

Here in the shadows
I'm safe, I'm free
I've nowhere else to go
But I cannot stay where I don't belong

Two months pass by and it's getting cold
I know I'm not lost I'm just alone
But I won't cry, I won't give up, I can't go back now
Waking up is knowing who you really are

Here in the shadows
I'm safe, I'm free
I've nowhere else to go
But I cannot stay where I don't belong

In the shadows
I'm safe, I'm free
I've nowhere else to go
But I cannot stay here




Oh, show me the shadow where true meaning lies
So much more dismay in empty eyes

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Exodus" by Evanescence delve into the emotions and struggles of someone who feels trapped and suffocated in their current circumstances. The opening lines present a vivid image of the singer carrying a backpack filled with shattered dreams, symbolizing the disappointment and broken aspirations they carry with them. With only twenty dollars to their name, they realize that this meager sum is all they need to get by for the week. Despite having harbored countless feelings of discontentment, they have always kept these thoughts to themselves. However, in a moment of clarity, they decide it is finally time to leave their home behind.


The chorus, "Here in the shadows, I'm safe, I'm free, I've nowhere else to go, But I cannot stay where I don't belong," reflects the singer's state of mind. They find solace in the shadows, as it provides a sense of safety and freedom compared to their current situation. However, they also acknowledge that they cannot continue to dwell in a place where they feel they don't belong.


As time passes, the singer realizes they are not lost but rather alone. They refuse to succumb to despair and make a conscious decision not to cry or give up. They recognize that they cannot go back to where they were before. The line "Waking up is knowing who you really are" suggests that their journey is not only physical but also a search for their true identity and purpose.


The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the singer's yearning for a place where they can truly belong. They seek a shadow that holds deeper meaning and purpose, as they recognize the emptiness and disillusionment in the eyes of those around them. This line suggests a desire for authenticity and a search for the truth, hoping to find something meaningful in the midst of their struggle.


Overall, the lyrics of "Exodus" portray a person who, despite feeling trapped and lost, summons the courage to leave their familiar surroundings in search of a place where they can truly belong and find their purpose. It speaks to the universal yearning for freedom, authenticity, and self-discovery.


Line by Line Meaning

My black backpack stuffed with broken dreams
Carrying my bag filled with shattered hopes and aspirations


Twenty bucks should get me through the week
A small amount of money that I hope will be enough for my immediate needs


Never said a word of discontentment
Although I have felt dissatisfied, I have remained silent about it


Thought it a thousand times but now, I'm leaving home
I have contemplated leaving home countless times, and now I am finally taking that step


Here in the shadows, I'm safe, I'm free
In this hidden place, I feel secure and unrestrained


I've nowhere else to go, but I cannot stay where I don't belong
Although I have no other destination, I cannot remain in a place where I feel out of place


Two months pass by and it's getting cold
Time has elapsed, and as the temperature drops, I face the harsh reality of my situation


I know I'm not lost, I'm just alone
I understand that I am not physically lost, but I am emotionally isolated


But I won't cry, I won't give up, I can't go back now
Despite the hardships, I refuse to break down or abandon my journey; turning back is not an option


Waking up is knowing who you really are
The process of awakening involves discovering one's true identity and purpose


Oh, show me the shadow where true meaning lies
Reveal to me the hidden depths where genuine significance can be found


So much more dismay in empty eyes
Empty gazes hold far greater distress and sorrow




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@SweeneyXskellington

"waking up is knowing who you really are" I love that part.

@jessicaabbott10

It’s disheartening how much Amy herself dislikes this song today, because it’s one of my favorites from her. It got me through a lot over the years.

@sharki9876

She changed as a person as she got older, and who you are is reflected in your music
That's why I like the younger Amy as a person more than the current one

@carpediemearth

@@sharki9876You don't know and have never known Amy Lee or any other artist. That's a ridiculous thing to claim. "I prefer young abused Amy" 🤢. Amy went through deeply hard and traumatic times in her early years including sibling death, mental health, abuse. And all musicians and creators have a right to evolve and dislike their early child material, it's their material not yours. If you created, you would understand about not liking some things you made as a kid.

@ale_98_

@@sharki9876and that’s why you’re a selfish and horrible piece of human being

@pokerq3601

Really? I didn’t know she does…. I think that album was her best

@angelagaviria6448

"I'm not lost, I'm just alone"

@ArkaeaFCL3

My life exactly

@Monik995

So alone

@tommyk.7594

people need music like this..thx evanescence...

More Comments

More Versions