released "Cut the Cord," also on Aspyr.
Seat of Pity
Knife In The Water Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wombfull of children not as heavy as this
On a seat of pity so sticky
You cry til your clothes are wet
So tough for you to remember
But tougher for you to forget
Climate like a torture red terror and dread
Midnight just walked it'll come back again
Lover just walked out won't come back again
On a seat of pity so shaky
You cry til your clothes are wet
So tough for you to remember
But tougher for you to forget
Wombfull of tigers no abortion could tame
Tigers and panthers and no one to blame
On a seat of pity so feline
You cry til your clothes are wet
So tough for you to remember
But tougher for you to forget
The lyrics of Knife In The Water's song "Seat of Pity" describe a situation of overwhelming emotional pain and suffering. The opening lines present vivid images of heaviness – a "wombfull of feathers so heavy" that they "blow away" and a "wombfull of children" that are not as heavy as the emotional burden that the singer is experiencing. The use of the metaphor of a womb is interesting because it conveys a kind of trappedness or suffocation, which is reinforced by the repetition of the line "on a seat of pity."
The chorus of the song describes the emotional state of the singer, who is "crying until [their] clothes are wet." The "seat of pity" is "sticky" and "shaky," suggesting instability and discomfort. The lines "so tough for you to remember/but tougher for you to forget" convey the paradoxical nature of traumatic memories – they are painful to remember, but also impossible to forget. The second verse introduces the image of a "climate like a torture", which is "sharp and red" and brings "red terror and dread." This creates a sense of a hostile emotional environment that is impossible to escape.
The final verse describes a "wombfull of tigers" that no abortion could tame, suggesting that the emotional pain is fierce and wild, and cannot be repressed or controlled. The use of images of wild animals (tigers and panthers) underscores the sense of danger and unpredictability in the situation. The closing lines of the song repeat the chorus of the song, emphasizing the sense of emotional overload and the difficulty of escaping the cycle of pain and suffering.
Line by Line Meaning
Wombfull of feathers so heavy blow away
A heavy burden that can be easily blown away, like feathers in the wind.
Wombfull of children not as heavy as this
Having many children to care for is a burden, but not as heavy as the burden in the previous line.
On a seat of pity so sticky
Feeling stuck and trapped in a situation that invokes pity upon oneself.
You cry til your clothes are wet
An overwhelming feeling of sadness and grief that results in uncontrollable tears.
So tough for you to remember
It's difficult to forget traumatic experiences that continue to haunt you.
But tougher for you to forget
It's easier to remember and to continue feeling the pain of past experiences than to forget them and move on.
Climate like a torture it's so sharp and red
The environment is so hostile and unbearable that it feels like torture, causing emotional pain and suffering.
Climate like a torture red terror and dread
The environment is filled with fear and anxiety, resulting in a heightened sense of terror and dread.
Midnight just walked it'll come back again
Time passes quickly, and before you know it, you're back at the beginning again, reliving the same experiences all over again.
Lover just walked out won't come back again
The feeling of heartbreak and loss when someone you love leaves and never returns.
On a seat of pity so shaky
Feeling unstable and unsure, trapped in a situation that evokes pity.
Wombfull of tigers no abortion could tame
A metaphor for the overwhelming feeling of helplessness and lack of control in a difficult situation, like trying to tame wild tigers.
Tigers and panthers and no one to blame
Being stuck in a situation that feels like being trapped in a cage with wild animals, with nobody to blame for the situation.
On a seat of pity so feline
Feeling powerless, like a small and helpless cat surrounded by danger and threats.
You cry til your clothes are wet
Feeling so much sadness and grief that tears flow freely until clothing is soaked through.
So tough for you to remember
Remembering past trauma is difficult, and the memories can be deeply painful and challenging to process.
But tougher for you to forget
Although painful, remembering past experiences is easier than forgetting them and moving on. The memories linger and haunt long after the events themselves are over.
Contributed by Audrey M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.