Guilty
Marina& The Diamonds Lyrics


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I was dreaming something dark
Hiding body parts
A broken dog, a broken leg
I left it cold, I left it dead

Oh I'm a guilty one
And know what I have done
Yeah, I'm a troubled one
And I won't be forgiven

Guilty on the run
And I know what I have done
Guilty on the run
And I'm never forgiven

I was just a kid
That you could not forgive
Because it's harder

I was just a kid
And all I really wanted
Was my father

I killed a dog so smart and rare
Touched his techni-coloured hair
I left it bruised and black and lame
I left it running full of shame

Oh, I'm a guilty one
And know what I have done
Yeah, I'm a troubled one
And I won't be forgiven

Guilty on the run
And I know what I have done
Guilty on the run
And I'm never forgiven

I was just a kid
That you could not forgive
Because it's harder

I was just a kid
And all I really wanted
Was my father

Spent years singing to forget (to forget)
I spent years singing, "no regret"
Then suddenly it all becomes clear
I've been sorry all these years

Oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh

I was just a kid
That you could not forgive
Because it's harder

I was just a kid
And all I really wanted
Was my father

Guilty on the run
And I know what I have done
Guilty on the run
And I'm never forgiven

Guilty on the run
And I know what I have done




Guilty on the run
And I'm never forgiven

Overall Meaning

In Marina & The Diamonds' song "Guilty," the lyrics paint a vivid picture of deep-seated guilt and regret. The opening lines describe a disturbing dream where the singer is haunted by the memories of their past actions, symbolized by "hiding body parts" and "a broken dog, a broken leg." The imagery of leaving things "cold" and "dead" highlights a sense of detachment and remorse for causing harm.


The repeated confession of being a "guilty one" reflects the singer's acknowledgment of their wrongdoing, emphasizing a sense of self-awareness and accountability. The lyrics convey a feeling of being trapped in a cycle of guilt and regret, with the character feeling like a "troubled one" who believes they will never find forgiveness for their past actions.


The mention of being "just a kid" who was unable to receive forgiveness, particularly from their father, evokes a sense of childhood trauma and the longing for parental approval and love. The lyrics suggest that these unresolved issues from the past continue to haunt the singer, manifesting in feelings of guilt and a search for redemption.


The final verses offer a glimmer of hope as the singer acknowledges their efforts to cope with their guilt by "singing to forget" and claiming to have "no regret." However, the realization that they have been carrying this burden of guilt for years culminates in a moment of clarity, where they come to terms with their mistakes and express regret for the pain they have caused. The repetition of "Guilty on the run" serves as a reminder of the singer's inability to escape the consequences of their actions, highlighting the weight of their guilt and the challenge of seeking forgiveness.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ash Frances Howes, Marina Lambrini Diamandis, Richard Frederick Stannard

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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