Hollow Bones may refer to: (A) a hardcore band from Columbus, Ohio, that in… Read Full Bio ↴Hollow Bones may refer to: (A) a hardcore band from Columbus, Ohio, that incorporates elements of noise, no-wave and sludge metal into their music.
(B) An alternative rock band from Arendtsville Pennsylvania with influences including Alice In Chains and Soundgarden as well as various inputs from soul music, funk and folk.

Promise
Hollow Bones Lyrics

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Feel I won't survive out here maybe I'm an ugly man
blinded by the years I've tried and I'm holding on...
I can feel this in my bones, if truth is love we'll make our own
I lay my body down to sleep and I pray that the demons won't try to cut me

Bended tongue, bleeding knees
bleeding tongue just set me free

Silence keeps the dead men sleeping, fair maidens bound and weeping
wipe your tears and your fears away, know that no one is going to save you
Just like the old man told me, you'll never be enough
I heard the whore's whole story

I'll never bleed
I'll never scream
I'll never feel for you

Bended tongue, bleeding knees
bleeding tongue just set me free

I never needed you
I'll never bleed again
and I believe
you'll beg for forgiveness

-Solo-

Bended tongue, bleeding knees
bleeding tongue just set me free

I never needed you
I'll never bleed again
and I believe
you'll beg for forgiveness

I never needed you
I'll never bleed again
and I believe
you'll beg for forgiveness

I never needed you
I'll never bleed again

and I believe
you'll beg for forgiveness.

Overall Meaning

The song "Promise" by Hollow Bones is a powerful, emotional track that deals with themes of survival, pain, and forgiveness. The lyrics suggest a character who feels isolated and hopeless, struggling to find a sense of purpose and meaning in life. The opening lines, "Feel I won't survive out here maybe I'm an ugly man/blinded by the years I've tried and I'm holding on..." encapsulate this sense of desperation and uncertainty, as the singer admits to feeling helpless and vulnerable. However, there is also a glimmer of hope in the song, as the singer expresses a belief that "if truth is love we'll make our own," implying that there may be a way forward through honesty and connection with others.

The chorus of the song, with its repeated refrain of "I'll never bleed again/and I believe/you'll beg for forgiveness" is particularly haunting and cathartic. It suggests a character who has been deeply hurt and traumatized, potentially by another person or by life in general, and who is now determined to protect themselves from further pain. This sense of woundedness is reinforced by the imagery of "bended tongue, bleeding knees/bleeding tongue just set me free," which suggests physical and emotional suffering.

Overall, "Promise" is a song that speaks to the human experience of struggle and healing, offering a message of both despair and hope.

Line by Line Meaning

Feel I won't survive out here maybe I'm an ugly man
I am unsure if I can make it in this world and doubt my worth

blinded by the years I've tried and I'm holding on...
I am struggling to keep going, despite my past efforts and experience

I can feel this in my bones, if truth is love we'll make our own
I sense deep within me that we can create our own love rooted in truth

I lay my body down to sleep and I pray that the demons won't try to cut me
As I rest, I hope to be free from dark forces that could harm me

Silence keeps the dead men sleeping, fair maidens bound and weeping
Quietness can keep the dead still but can bring sadness to those living

wipe your tears and your fears away, know that no one is going to save you
Stop crying and being scared, grasp that no one will rescue you

Just like the old man told me, you'll never be enough
Someone once told me I am not sufficient and it still haunts me

I heard the whore's whole story
I listened to everything the prostitute had to tell

I'll never bleed I'll never scream I'll never feel for you
I will not let myself be vulnerable and show emotion or connection to you

I never needed you I'll never bleed again and I believe you'll beg for forgiveness
I didn't require you, I won't get hurt again, and I trust that you will seek forgiveness

-Solo-
Musical interlude with no lyrics

I never needed you I'll never bleed again and I believe you'll beg for forgiveness
I didn't require you, I won't get hurt again, and I trust that you will seek forgiveness

Contributed by Sydney M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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