carry on screaming
London After Midnight Lyrics

The lyrics of Carry On... Screaming by London After Midnight are a haunting portrayal of a person who has given themselves over completely to someone else, to the point where they have lost themselves entirely. The first verse of the song sets up the tone of the piece, with the singer indicating that they have been a devoted follower of someone or something, potentially a lover, a religious figure or even an addiction - the metaphor of kneeling at an altar could be interpreted in any of these ways. This leads into the next line, where the singer reveals that they have essentially given everything to the other person or entity, including cutting out their own heart - something that is physically impossible, of course, but can be read as an indication of how much they have given themselves over.

The second half of the first verse details the bleakness of the picture being painted, with the singer indicating that they have ended up living in ruins - suggesting that the object of their devotion has left them with nothing. This idea of pain being turned into art also hints at the possibility that the other person is some sort of artist or creator figure, and that the singer's pain has been co-opted for their work. The final lines of the verse are particularly striking, with the image of the singer tying their wrists so as not to bleed or their eyes being so dark as not to see suggesting a level of self-harm or denial that only strengthens the idea of their complete surrender.

In the chorus, the singer admits that they have never been as alone as they are with this person or thing. But they also make clear that they have never been scared to dream until now, which could suggest that they are starting to recognise the danger they are in. This leads into the repeated refrain of "I'll carry on, screaming", which feels like an assertion of the singer's individuality in a situation where they have been silenced or repressed.

The second verse of the song adds further context to the singer's story, revealing that the memories of the past are fading, potentially because they have been subsumed into the world of the other person. This stanza also carries on the theme of isolation, with the singer indicating that they have never been as alone as they are with this person, but also that they have never been scared to dream until now. The repetition of this idea from the chorus reinforces the message that the singer is beginning to realise how dangerous their situation is. The final lines of the song are particularly powerful, with the idea of the cold and pain breeding more of the same suggesting a cycle of abuse or dysfunction that the singer is trapped in. The image of the ruins being left empty is telling - it suggests that the singer has been emptied out by their devotion, and that the other person has moved on to another victim.