For The Dead
Gene Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

With every wind
I hear you sing
"You will be fine"
With every note
Stuck in your throat
"This is your time", but
Everyone is just walking away from me
Am I really that nasty
All the dust and dirt affects my skin
Everyone is just turning away from me
Am I really that filthy
It's cold and dark, let me in

I'm in love with this land of plenty
Full of folks that still are friendly
I've lost my will, still I see some hope
Give me a rope, I'll take it gladly
Find me a tree, make it sturdy




Bye ma! it's my time to go
Yes this one's for the dead

Overall Meaning

In Gene's song For The Dead, he sings about his struggle to fit in and feel accepted by those around him. He hears comforting words in the wind, assuring him that he will be fine and that this is his time, yet he still feels isolated and rejected. He wonders if his outward appearance is affecting how others perceive him and why they are all walking away. He longs for warmth and companionship in the cold and dark.


However, Gene still has a deep love and appreciation for the land and people around him. He sees hope despite his struggles and asks for a rope to climb towards it. He even has a sense of humor, jokingly saying goodbye to his mother as if he is going to die. The song ends with the haunting refrain of "this one's for the dead," implying that the struggle he is enduring is a kind of death, yet he continues to cling to hope and search for connection.


The lyrics of For The Dead are somewhat ambiguous, leaving room for interpretation. It could speak to anyone who has felt rejected or isolated, especially those struggling with mental health issues. The song also seems to touch on themes of mortality, mortality, and loneliness. It is a beautiful and powerful song that showcases Gene's talent as a songwriter and performer.


Line by Line Meaning

With every wind
Every time the wind blows, I hear your voice


I hear you sing
I hear you singing words of comfort and assurance


"You will be fine"
You are going to make it, everything will be okay


With every note
Every time you sing


Stuck in your throat
Your words are not getting through to me


"This is your time", but
This is your moment to shine, but something is holding me back


Everyone is just walking away from me
I feel neglected and abandoned by everyone around me


Am I really that nasty
Could it be that I have done something so terrible that people do not want to associate with me?


All the dust and dirt affects my skin
The harsh realities of life have taken their toll on me


Everyone is just turning away from me
People are avoiding me


Am I really that filthy
Could I be that disgusting and unapproachable


It's cold and dark, let me in
I feel lost and alone, and I am asking for someone to let me into their life


I'm in love with this land of plenty
I appreciate the abundance and richness of life that surrounds me


Full of folks that still are friendly
Despite my struggles there are still people who are kind to me


I've lost my will, still I see some hope
I have lost my motivation and strength, but I still have a glimmer of hope that things will get better


Give me a rope, I'll take it gladly
I am willing to take any help that is available


Find me a tree, make it sturdy
I need something solid on which to hang onto and support me


Bye ma! it's my time to go
I am leaving this world, saying goodbye to my mother


Yes this one's for the dead
This song is dedicated to those who have already passed away




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: KEVIN MILES, MARTIN ROSSITER, MATT JAMES, STEVE MASON

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
Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Doll Proxy

Letra traducida
Para el especial anual del 2012


Con cada viento te oigo cantar
"Estarás bien»
Con cada nota en la garganta
"Este es tu tiempo", pero
Todos se están alejando de mí.
Estoy realmente desagradable
Todo el polvo y la suciedad afectan mi piel
Todos se están alejando de mí.
Estoy realmente asqueroso
Hace frío y está oscuro, déjame entrar.
Estoy enamorado de esta tierra de la abundancia
Lleno de amigos que aún son amistosos
He perdido mi voluntad, todavía veo alguna esperanza
Dame una cuerda, me lo llevo con mucho gusto
Encuéntrame un árbol, hazlo fuerte
¡Adiós mamá!
Es mi hora de irme.
Sí, éste es para los muertos.



Edward Kang

With every wind I hear you sing
"You will be fine"
With every note stuck in your throat
"This is your time" but

Everyone is just walking away from me
Am I really that nasty
All the dust and dirt affects my skin
Everyone is just turning away from me
Am I really that dirty
It's dark and cold, so let me in

Oh yes, I'm in love with this land of plenty
Full of folks that still are friendly
I've lost my will, but still I see some hope

Give me a rope, I'll take it gladly
Find me a tree, make sure it's sturdy
Bye ma, it's my time to go
Yes, this one's for the dead

With every wind, oh I hear you sing
"You will be fine"
With every note stuck in your throat
"This is your time" but
Everyone is just walking away from me
Am I really that nasty
All the dust and dirt affects my skin
Everyone is just turning away from me
Am I really that filthy
It's dark and cold, so let me in

Oh yes, I'm in love with this land of plenty
We laugh aloud we deliver gently
I've lost my will, but still I see some hope

Give me a rope, I'll take it gladly
Find me a tree and make it snappy
Bye ma, it's my time to go
Yes, this one's for the dead

Yes, this one's for the dead



All comments from YouTube:

Jut Wilton

One of the greatest but very unappreciated bands of the 90's !! For me This is one of the stand out songs of that era

Paul Hinckley

Amazing band. Saw them live twice. They didn't disappoint.

slackereconomy

they really were THAT good. perfect.

Mark Braid

I'm 33 and I only heard this song a couple of years ago. I'd have been so into Gene if I'd heard them when I was younger

Theresa Pearson

Great song, great band

southerner4566

Great band ,It's a shame they didn't last longer

Robert Darby

Gene should have been bigger back in the day, made some cracking tunes 👌

Zago Zago

That lick at 1:40. Knopfler Esque.👌

johnny fartpants

Steve Mason.
His Knopfler Esque lick at 1:40 is incredible. Even Though it's a basic B Major, A Major, Ab Minor progression the slides make it sound far more convoluted.

mi hills

they said they were influenced by the smiths mostly and echo and the bunny man, new order bryan ferry bowie damn good band.

More Comments

More Versions