Moreland first debuted his name as a part of the Black Gold Band from 2006-2010, with a 2006 full-band demo, 2008's Endless Oklahoma Sky, and 2009's solo demo session falling in that time span before he decided to retire the Black Gold Band name. John continues to write and record music, and in 2010 will release Things I Can't Control under his own name. Black Gold Band guitarist Wayne Wedge has returned to perform secondary guitar duties, and producer Stephen Egerton (ALL, Descendents) has been playing drums on the studio sessions. In 2010, Moreland was featured on the multi-musician studio project The Seven Degrees of Stephen Egerton, along with members of Drag the River, Descendents, MxPx, and many others.
Old Wounds
John Moreland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wanna learn to disappear
Can you take away the mess, that's been building in my chest
Drowning out the song I used to hear
Love's a violent word, don't you forget it
I ain't saying that you ever could
I've seen my seasons change
I was crying out your name
So don't forget to love me in damnation
For the living I have earned on love gone wrong
And we'll open up old wounds in celebration
If we don't bleed, it don't feel like a song
You got your honest intuition
You got your cigarette smoke
And I'm all your oldest fears, the black mark on last year
But I got the hope you let me hold
So let them judge and shove us under
And let them do the devil's work
Let them calculate the crimes in all our broken rhymes
But let us find the heaven following the hurt
So don't forget to love me in damnation
For the living I have earned on love gone wrong
And we'll open up old wounds in celebration
If we don't bleed, it don't feel like a song
John Moreland's song "Old Wounds" is a poignant expression of emotional pain and the need for love and comfort in the midst of it. The opening lines reveal the depth of the singer's despair, expressing a desire to escape from the pain and confusion in his life. The image of falling asleep forever is a powerful one, suggesting a desire for permanent rest and release from the turmoil of existence.
The second verse introduces the theme of love and its often violent and unpredictable nature. The singer acknowledges that love can bring chaos and destruction as well as joy and fulfillment. He shares a memory of happier times, when he and his partner were united in a sense of shared purpose and joy.
The chorus of the song is particularly striking, with its call to love in spite of damnation and to celebrate old wounds. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to transcend even the darkest moments of life.
Overall, John Moreland's "Old Wounds" is a beautifully crafted song that captures the complexities of human emotion and the need for love and connection in the face of pain and suffering.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna fall asleep forever
I wish to never wake up from this exhausting life
I wanna learn to disappear
I wish to hide from reality and my problems
Can you take away the mess, that's been building in my chest
Can you relieve me of the burden and emotional pain that I carry within me
Drowning out the song I used to hear
The pain is so overwhelming that it drowns out the joy and happiness that I once felt
Love's a violent word, don't you forget it
Love can be passionate and intense, sometimes causing pain and hurt
I ain't saying that you ever could
I am not blaming you for my pain and problems
I've seen my seasons change
I have experienced different phases and have grown and changed over time
I was crying out your name
I was desperately seeking your help and comfort in my time of need
Remember when we used to feel so good
I reminisce about the past when we were once happy and in love
So don't forget to love me in damnation
Love me even in my darkest moments and times of distress
For the living I have earned on love gone wrong
The pain and hurt from my failed relationships have shaped who I am today
And we'll open up old wounds in celebration
We will revisit our past wounds and traumas, but with a sense of happiness and acceptance
If we don't bleed, it don't feel like a song
Our struggles and pain are what make our lives meaningful and worth living
You got your honest intuition
You possess the ability to understand things instinctively and truthfully
You got your cigarette smoke
You have your vices and coping mechanisms to deal with stress and pain
And I'm all your oldest fears, the black mark on last year
I remind you of your past fears and regrets
But I got the hope you let me hold
Despite my flaws and weaknesses, you still have faith in me and offer me hope
So let them judge and shove us under
Let others criticize and condemn us, but we will not be defeated
And let them do the devil's work
Let others spread negativity and hatred, but we will continue to rise above it
Let them calculate the crimes in all our broken rhymes
Let others try to make sense of our pain and hardships, but they will never truly understand
But let us find the heaven following the hurt
Despite our struggles and pain, we will find happiness and peace in the end
Writer(s): JOHN MORELAND
Contributed by Dylan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Fellype Gabriel
ossas rimas quebradas
Let them calculate the crimes in all our broken rhymes
Mas vamos encontrar o cĂŠu seguindo a dor
But let us find the heaven following the hurt
Então não se esqueça de me amar na condenação
So don't forget to love me in damnation
Para a vida que ganhei com o amor que deu errado
For the living I have earned on love gone wrong
E vamos abrir velhas feridas em comemoração
And we'll open up old wounds in celebration
Se nĂŁo sangrarmos, nĂŁo parece uma mĂşsica
If we don't bleed, it don't feel like a song
bobbi jensen
I wanna fall asleep forever
I wanna learn to disappear
Can you take away the mess, that's been building in my chestDrowning out the song I used to hear
Love's a violent word, don't you forget it
I ain't saying that you ever could
I've seen my seasons change
I was crying out your name
Remember when we used to feel so good
So don't forget to love me in damnation
For the living I have earned on love gone wrong
And we'll open up old wounds in celebration
If we don't bleed, it don't feel like a song
You got your honest intuition
You got your cigarette smoke
And I'm all your oldest fears, the black mark on last year
But I got the hope you let me hold
So let them judge and shove us under
And let them do the devil's work
Let them calculate the crimes in all our broken rhymes
But let us find the heaven following the hurt
So don't forget to love me in damnation
For the living I have earned on love gone wrong
And we'll open up old wounds in celebration
If we don't bleed, it don't feel like a song
Andrew Bluebells
I wanna fall asleep forever
I wanna learn to disappear
Can you take away the mess, that's been building in my chest
Drowning out the song I used to hear
Love's a violent word, don't you forget it
I ain't saying that you ever could
I've seen my seasons change
I was crying out your name
Remember when we used to feel so good
So don't forget to love me in damnation
For the living I have earned on love gone wrong
And we'll open up old wounds in celebration
If we don't bleed, it don't feel like a song
You got your honest intuition
You got your cigarette smoke
And I'm all your oldest fears, the black mark on last year
But I got the hope you let me hold
So let them judge and shove us under
And let them do the devil's work
Let them calculate the crimes in all our broken rhymes
But let us find the heaven following the hurt
So don't forget to love me in damnation
For the living I have earned on love gone wrong
And we'll open up old wounds in celebration
If we don't bleed, it don't feel like a song
Michael Rich
John Moreland is a legend. This guy is really special. He really embodies the whole singer/songwriter persona. He's the real deal. Like a Jackson Browne. I love this guy!
nickobrienmusic
Michael Rich I agreee man and unless itâs skinny jeans and pop it doesnât go anywhere. You may like some of my stuff on iTunes and Spotify. đ¤đ¤
Louie O.Blevins Music
@nickobrienmusic skinny jeans were worn by the punks/metal/hardcore kids way before the pop fucks stole it from us. I take offense. đ Nah, I kid. John Moreland definitely is the shit though. My favorite alive songwriter. Saw him in Savannah, Ga and he is a ridiculously good live performer.
OFGN Greygoose
Every song of his has feeling and emotion that just hits you deep inside even if your not going through the same thing he is singing about. You just feel a deeper connection to his music. His talent is amazing!
Jim Middleton
His voice punches you in the heart â¤ď¸
KJV Jeffrey Gunnells
I wish it was possible to hear a song for the first time more than once.
Solomon Doors
jeffrey gunnells that would be a dream
Come true
KJV Jeffrey Gunnells
why does this not have a million hits?
I know why .. Cause its good music..Â
The beauty of the heart and soul hidden behind everything else out there.
This guy is one of them..
Amazing .
cuffdaddy1
Incredible performance - I've been telling people about John for a few years so it's great to see him finally get his due.
RAHAN G
No words ! JM is what we call a real artist ! Thanks