Jezebel
Howl [US] Lyrics
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The horizon gnawing at her throat
Slowing the butchers you planted
Bloom and swing the blades
Fumble with the ropes
As the twilight takes its place
Broken nails, grip feels frail
In sheets she'll sail
Close your eyes oh friend
I'll show you how they did you
I'll make them fail
The scorn you left her
At pleasure's door
You fucking bastard
In sheets she sails
In "Jezebel," Howl [US] presents a haunting portrayal of a woman who has been wronged and who has now come back to seek revenge. The song begins with a powerful visual of the mountains at her back and the horizon gnawing at her throat. It is almost as if nature itself is urging her forward to take revenge on those who have wronged her. The lyrics next turn to the butchers that have been planted, indicating that the woman may have been treated like an animal, slaughtered and left for dead. But she is now blooming and swinging the blades, showing that she is taking her power back and will not be a victim any longer.
The second verse continues this theme of revenge, with the woman fumbling with the ropes and twilight taking its place. This suggests that the time for revenge is drawing near and that the woman is getting ready to strike. The witch boiling inside emphasizes her anger and rage at the injustice that has been done to her. The final verse is a promise to a friend to show them how they were wronged and to make the perpetrators fail. The lyrics "in sheets she sails" can be interpreted as a reference to a shroud or to the idea that the woman has been reborn and is now sailing towards a new future.
Line by Line Meaning
The mountains at her back
She is standing with the mountains behind her.
The horizon gnawing at her throat
The vast open space in front of her makes her feel trapped and suffocated.
Slowing the butchers you planted
The people who intended to harm her are slowly losing their grip on her as she gains more control over her life.
Bloom and swing the blades
She is ready to fight and take control of her own fate.
Fumble with the ropes
She still feels weakened and vulnerable despite her determination to fight back.
As the twilight takes its place
The darkness is creeping in, but she is not afraid of it.
Gaze at the witch boiling inside
She recognizes the power she holds within herself and is not afraid to embrace it.
Broken nails, grip feels frail
Despite her strength, she has been hurt and weakened by her past experiences.
In sheets she'll sail
She is leaving her past behind and moving on to a new life.
Close your eyes oh friend
She wants to share her story and experiences with someone she trusts.
I'll show you how they did you
She wants to educate others on the dangers of allowing oneself to fall victim to abuse.
I'll make them fail
She is determined to not only overcome her own trauma but to prevent others from experiencing the same pain.
The scorn you left her
The person who hurt her showed her no mercy or compassion.
At pleasure's door
Her abuser took advantage of her vulnerability and used their power to manipulate her.
You fucking bastard
She is angry and hurt by the actions of her abuser.
In sheets she sails
She is taking control of her life and moving forward, leaving her past behind.
Contributed by Gavin O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.