I think this song was about me quitting smoking. I had wanted to for a while but always thought it would ruin my “image”. As in I would rather get cancer and die than let people think I was disingenuous about what I liked. That’s fucking crazy to me now.
- Keith Buckley
Exometrium
Every Time I Die Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Right before your very eyes I slipped off the husk
I mastered the slight
There's a getaway car that's been waiting my whole life
The engine has been running since the moment I arrived
A trap door in the gallows let the charlatan out but smoke and mirrors box him in
The rags and the bones were such a burden that I thought I'd collapse
And only when I surrendered them did I find I had what it takes to burn myself at the stake
I had faked everything but my death
Across the divide and onto the shore
The strain on my back wasn't there anymore
Wisdom teeth have replaced the fangs (x2)
I've been scalped, scalped, scalped
I've been knocked unconscious and I still haven't come around
There was so much trouble on my mind all the time
Call on the ten thieves and tell the I'm ready
I looked up and the desert was everywhere
But insight comes through blackened eyes
I climbed a hill to dig a hole in the ground where I could bury the faithlessness and the evidence that I was ever actually right
My skin was on too tight
I could not identify the body
Us snakes evolve
It's what snakes do
I could not identify the body
Shed the fur and leave the womb
Peel off the leather and dig out your heart (x4)
The lyrics of Every Time I Die's song Exometrium is a vivid portrayal of a rebirth or a metamorphosis, and how one has to shed the old skin or husk to step into a new phase of life. The song begins with the lines, "Peel off the leather and dig out your heart," which gives a clear indication that a transformation is happening, and for this transformation to occur, one has to get rid of old or dead skin, representing a part of their past self.
The song talks about how sometimes we hold on to old habits or old ways of being that become a burden, "The rags and the bones were such a burden that I thought I'd collapse." The lyrics suggest that only when one lets go of the old ways, they can find the strength and courage to burn themselves at the stake, meaning sacrifice their old selves. The lines, "I had faked everything but my death," suggest that the transformation was not easy, and at times, one has to fake their death or let go of their old self to find a new life.
The song metaphorically talks about the metamorphosis that happens in nature through snakes and their shedding of old skin. It also suggests that insight comes through blackened eyes, meaning that one goes through a dark phase before the transformation happens. In conclusion, the song Exometrium is about the courage and strength it takes to let go of one's old self, and embrace a new phase of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Peel off the leather and dig out your heart (x4)
Strip away the coverings and reveal your true, vulnerable self, giving all of yourself over to the moment.
Right before your very eyes I slipped off the husk
I shed my past self with ease, entering a new chapter in my life.
I mastered the slight
I learned to control my actions and provide an air of mystery and competence in my pursuits.
There's a getaway car that's been waiting my whole life
I have an opportunity to escape from my problems, and this has always been present but unnoticed by me.
The engine has been running since the moment I arrived
The solution to my problems has been there the whole time, and I've only just realized it.
A trap door in the gallows let the charlatan out but smoke and mirrors box him in
I was able to escape a dangerous situation, but I'm still not free from its influence and consequences.
The rags and the bones were such a burden that I thought I'd collapse
I was overwhelmed by the weight of my troubles and thought I might fail under the pressure.
And only when I surrendered them did I find I had what it takes to burn myself at the stake
I was surprised to find that surrendering my worries gave me the courage to take risks in my life.
Did you smell a rat? (x3)
Are you suspicious of me or my intentions? (repeated for emphasis)
I had faked everything but my death
I've been pretending to be someone I'm not, but now I want to be truly authentic.
Across the divide and onto the shore
I've successfully overcome my problems and reached safety.
The strain on my back wasn't there anymore
I am no longer weighed down by my burdens and feel free.
Wisdom teeth have replaced the fangs (x2)
I've developed a new skillset and way of approaching problems, leaving behind my old, harmful ways.
I've been scalped, scalped, scalped
I've been hurt and betrayed multiple times, repeating the phrase for emphasis.
I've been knocked unconscious and I still haven't come around
I've suffered great trauma and am still struggling to recover.
There was so much trouble on my mind all the time
I was constantly anxious about my problems and couldn't escape them mentally.
Call on the ten thieves and tell the I'm ready
I'm prepared to engage in risky or criminal behavior to achieve my goals.
I looked up and the desert was everywhere
I felt completely alone and isolated in my struggles.
But insight comes through blackened eyes
My difficult experiences gave me wisdom and perspective, despite the pain they caused.
I climbed a hill to dig a hole in the ground where I could bury the faithlessness and the evidence that I was ever actually right
I sought to leave behind my self-doubt and insecurity, choosing to focus on positivity and growth.
My skin was on too tight
I felt confined and uncomfortable in my own skin.
I could not identify the body
I wasn't sure who I really was, potentially due to past trauma or difficult experiences.
Us snakes evolve
Like snakes, we as people adapt and change to better suit our surroundings and situations.
It's what snakes do
This is natural and expected, just like it is for snakes.
Peel off the leather and dig out your heart (x4)
Once again, strip away your coverings and embrace your true self with vulnerability and authenticity.
Lyrics © MOTHERSHIP MUSIC PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
FadedFortunes
Peel off the leather and dig out your heart (x4)
Right before your very eyes I slipped off the husk
I mastered the slight
There's a getaway car that's been waiting my whole life
The engine has been running since the moment I arrived
A trap door in the gallows let the charlatan out but smoke and mirrors box him in
The rags and the bones were such a burden that I thought I'd collapse
And only when I surrendered them did I find I had what it takes to burn myself at the stake
Did you smell a rat? (x3)
I had faked everything but my death
Across the divide and onto the shore
The strain on my back wasn't there anymore
Wisdom teeth have replaced the fangs (x2)
I've been scalped, scalped, scalped
I've been knocked unconscious and I still haven't come around
There was so much trouble on my mind all the time
Call on the ten thieves and tell the I'm ready
I looked up and the desert was everywhere
But insight comes through blackened eyes
I climbed a hill to dig a hole in the ground where I could bury the faithlessness and the evidence that I was ever actually right
My skin was on too tight
I could not identify the body
Us snakes evolve
It's what snakes do
I could not identify the body
Shed the fur and leave the womb
Peel off the leather and dig out your heart (x4)
Jakeen Burney
It just blows my mind how poetic Keith is..just fucking unreal.
Dan Bliss
The guy has so many lyrics / lines that you could get tattooed. He's awesome.
Jakeen Burney
Haha oh ok I got you..they have to many songs to remember everything my bad dude haha
Kyle Barreira
Lol no. It's a lyric of his. "Not everything is poetry, but I can't convince you of that"
Jakeen Burney
Is this supposed to diminish what I said? Trust me a lot of his songs are far from poetic but when he hits the nail he hits the nail. Some people look at it differently.
Kyle Barreira
not everything is poetry - keith
PhalanxItHard
And to think Kieth was an English teacher. That's what makes his songs so lyrically superior.
romeo-a-go-goat
I was prepping onions at work today when this song popped into my head, and now I can't stop laughing when I listen to it X'D
chadmadna0
Everything from this album just goes from Last Night In Town to Gutter Phenom. Kurt's work on the album is just remarkable.
hortonhearsahunter
This sounds like it should of been off Gutter. This album did not disappoint.