The Patient
M.J.K. (Tool) Lyrics
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Startling the fearful
Is this a test? It has to be
Otherwise I can't go on
Draining patience, drain vitality
This paranoid, paralyzed vampire act's a little old
But I'm still right here
And I'm still right here
But I'm still right here
Giving blood, keeping faith
And I'm still right here
Wait it out
Gonna wait it out
Be patient (wait it out)
If there were no rewards to reap
No loving embrace to see me through
This tedious path I've chosen here
I certainly would've walked away by now
Gonna wait it out
If there were no desire to heal
The damaged and broken met along
This tedious path I've chosen here
I certainly would've walked away by now
And I still may, I still may
Be patient
Be patient
Be patient
I must keep reminding myself of this
I must keep reminding myself of this
I must keep reminding myself of this
I must keep reminding myself of this
And if there were no rewards to reap
No loving embrace to see me through
This tedious path I've chosen here
I certainly would've walked away by now
And I still may
And I still may
And I still may
And I
Gonna wait it out
Gonna wait it out
Wait it out
Gonna wait it out
The song "The Patient" by Tool speaks about the idea of waiting patiently, which relates both to personal growth and self-discovery. The opening lines of the song suggest that the singer is feeling stuck and exhausted. He questions whether or not he is being tested, and if he is, he needs to pass it to grow. The next few lines talk about how draining patience can be, and how the singer has played the role of a paranoid, paralyzed vampire for too long.
Despite feeling drained and exhausted, the singer is determined to keep going. He reminds himself that he's still giving blood and keeping faith which suggests that he is holding on to something that he believes will help him heal. He talks about the tedious path he has chosen for his life but admits that if there weren't any rewards to reap or loving embrace to see him through, he would have walked away by now. The refrain of the song continuously emphasizes waiting it out, being patient, and reminding oneself to do so. The singer admits that he still may walk away from this path of growth, but he keeps emphasizing that he's still here, waiting it out.
The song's lyrics encourage the listener to wait patiently in life for personal growth and self-discovery. This idea can be interpreted in various ways, depending on the listener's perspective. The patient nature of the lyrics reinforces that growth and recovery take time, and that waiting it out is necessary for personal healing.
Line by Line Meaning
A groan of tedium escapes me
Expresses the frustration with the current situation
Startling the fearful
The frustration is unsettling those around
Is this a test? It has to be
Pondering the reason for the situation
Otherwise I can't go on
The situation is almost unbearable
Draining patience, drain vitality
The situation is draining both patience and energy
This paranoid, paralyzed vampire act's a little old
The persona is anxious, helpless and tired of faking being fine
But I'm still right here
Despite the frustration, the persona is enduring
Giving blood, keeping faith
Continuing to put in effort and maintaining hope
Wait it out
The advice to hold on
Gonna wait it out
Determined to keep waiting despite difficulty
Be patient (wait it out)
Repeating the call to endure
If there were no rewards to reap
Considering reasons for persisting despite difficulty
No loving embrace to see me through
Without love and support, the situation would be unbearable
This tedious path I've chosen here
Acknowledging that the situation is one the persona has created or accepted
I certainly would've walked away by now
Admitting that it has been difficult to stay committed
And I still may, I still may
There is still a possibility of giving up
Be patient
Repeating the call to endurance
I must keep reminding myself of this
It is important to keep pushing through
And if there were no rewards to reap
Reiterating the importance of the potential benefits
And I still may
The persona recognizes their own uncertainty
Wait it out
Continuing to hold on
Gonna wait it out
Reaffirming their determination to persevere
Wait it out
Final call to hold on
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Adam Jones, Daniel Carey, Justin Gunner Chancellor, Maynard James Keenan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind