WAR
Former Vandal Lyrics


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You run, like the letters on these pages.
I'm not sick but still so far away from sane.
Nightmares, but I haven't slept in ages.
The battles won, but there's still poison in our veins.
We've lost control, anything but gently down the stream.
Hold me close, hold me tell me life is but a dream.
Save me, I think I'm losing my mind.
You said you'd come for me when the world swallows me whole.
Well, this is war.
Save me, 'cause the battles won but the war is still to fight.
You said you'd come for me when the world swallows me whole.
Well, this is war.
Well, this is war.
You breathe like your lungs aren't full of matches.
Every careful word you speak has a chance of sparking fire.
I hope I can sleep straight through the madness.
But I can't even tell when I'm sleeping anymore.
We've lost control, anything but gently down the stream.
Hold me close, hold me tell me life is but a dream.
Save me, I think I'm losing my mind.
You said you'd come for me when the world swallows me whole.
Well, this is war.
Save me, 'cause the battles won but the war is still to fight.
You said you'd come for me when the world swallows me whole.
Well, this is war.
Let the darkness come for me, let it try to steal my soul.




As if I had a soul to steal. Hold me tell me life is but a dream.
Save me, I think I'm losing my mind.

Overall Meaning

The Former Vandal's song "War" explores the aftermath of a battle and the mental state of the individuals involved. The opening lines suggest a sense of detachment from reality, as the singer describes feeling "far away from sane" despite not being sick. They also mention experiencing nightmares despite not sleeping. This could be interpreted as a symptom of trauma resulting from the battle. The line "the battles won, but there's still poison in our veins" suggests that even though the physical battle may be over, there are lingering emotional and psychological effects.


Throughout the song, there is a theme of needing someone to "save" the singer from their own mind. The repeated line "you said you'd come for me when the world swallows me whole, well, this is war" suggests that the person they are addressing made a promise to help them through difficult times. The use of the word "war" in this context suggests that the battle the singer is facing is ongoing and not easily won.


The line "you breathe like your lungs aren't full of matches" suggests that the other person is more composed and able to remain calm in the face of chaos. This could be interpreted as a symbol of hope or a source of comfort for the singer. However, they still express uncertainty about their ability to distinguish between dreams and reality.


Overall, the lyrics of "War" paint a picture of someone struggling to come to terms with the aftermath of a battle and looking for someone to help them through it. The repeated call for someone to "save" them suggests a sense of vulnerability and a need for emotional support.


Line by Line Meaning

You run, like the letters on these pages.
You move quickly, like the words written on these sheets of paper.


I'm not sick but still so far away from sane.
I am not physically ill, but my mental state is far from stable.


Nightmares, but I haven't slept in ages.
I am experiencing terrifying dreams, but I have not slept much lately.


The battles won, but there's still poison in our veins.
Although we may have won the conflict, the damage caused remains within us.


We've lost control, anything but gently down the stream.
We have lost our ability to manage our lives, and we're being taken downstream by the current of circumstances.


Hold me close, hold me tell me life is but a dream.
Embrace me and persuade me that life is not real, but a mere fabrication of the mind.


Save me, I think I'm losing my mind.
Rescue me, as I feel like my sanity is slipping away from me.


You said you'd come for me when the world swallows me whole.
You promised to be there for me when everything around me collapses.


Well, this is war.
In the midst of turmoil, we are fighting a battle.


Save me, 'cause the battles won but the war is still to fight.
Protect me, because although we may have achieved a tactical victory, the overall struggle is not over yet.


You breathe like your lungs aren't full of matches.
You inhale without fear, as if your respiratory system is not filled with flammable objects.


Every careful word you speak has a chance of sparking fire.
Any precise phrase that you utter could trigger an explosive reaction.


I hope I can sleep straight through the madness.
I wish to slumber without interruption despite the surrounding chaos.


But I can't even tell when I'm sleeping anymore.
However, I am unable to distinguish between reality and my dreams.


Let the darkness come for me, let it try to steal my soul.
I welcome the gloom to attempt to rob me of my spirit.


As if I had a soul to steal. Hold me tell me life is but a dream.
As if I possess a soul that can be taken. Embrace me and affirm to me that existence is not genuine.


Save me, I think I'm losing my mind.
Rescue me, as I feel like my sanity is slipping away from me.




Contributed by Samantha N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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