Chains
Mr. Barth Lyrics
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There's no denying it's my private hell as
I lie in bed
I take a look around and see myself
In twenty years will I be them
I've taken all I can stand
Afraid of what kind of man I am
Or will I break the chain
Secrets, emotions, and wounds concealed
Spirits are broken, the deepest scars that I'll never heal
They'll be back handed down from father to son
A closet full of skeletons
I've taken all I can stand
Afraid of what kind of man I am
Does everything stay the same
Or will I break the chain
I will get by
With a little understanding
'Cause it's my own life after all
I've taken all I can stand
Afraid of what kind of man I am
Does everything stay the same
Or will I break the chain
The song "Chains" by Mr. Barth explores the fear and uncertainty of carrying on patterns from one generation to the next. The opening lines, "I hear their voices inside my head, There's no denying it's my private hell as I lie in bed", suggest that the singer is haunted by the voices of the generations before him. He is struggling to find his own identity and escape the cycle that has been handed down to him.
Throughout the song, the singer expresses his anxiety about becoming like those before him, questioning whether "everything stays the same" or if he will "break the chain". He speaks of "secrets, emotions, and wounds concealed" and of "spirits [that] are broken, the deepest scars that I'll never heal". These lines convey the idea that the patterns and behaviors of previous generations have caused pain and trauma that is difficult to escape. The singer is afraid of becoming part of this cycle and wants to break free.
The chorus, "I've taken all I can stand, afraid of what kind of man I am, Does everything stay the same, Or will I break the chain", summarizes the struggle that the singer is facing. He recognizes the weight of his past but is determined to find a way to move forward and create a different future. The final lyrics, "I will get by, with a little understanding, 'Cause it's my own life after all", suggest that the singer is hopeful and willing to seek support and understanding in order to break the chain.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear their voices inside my head
The singer is haunted by the influence of his family's past and feels trapped by their expectations and legacy.
There's no denying it's my private hell as
The singer feels isolated and hopeless in his struggle to break free from the cycle of emotional pain passed down in his family.
I lie in bed
The singer is consumed by his thoughts and anxieties, unable to escape the constant pressure of his past.
I take a look around and see myself
The artist sees the impact of his family's influence and fears he will become like them if he does not make a change.
In twenty years will I be them
The artist is worried that he will continue the cycle of pain and dysfunction in his family if he does not take action to break free.
Afraid of what kind of man I am
The singer is uncertain of his identity and struggles with the fear of repeating the mistakes of his family's past.
Does everything stay the same
The singer wonders if he will always be trapped by his family's legacy or if he can change the course of his life.
Or will I break the chain
The artist is hopeful that he can overcome the negative patterns of his family and create a better future for himself.
Secrets, emotions, and wounds concealed
The artist acknowledges the deep emotional scars and unresolved trauma caused by his family's history.
Spirits are broken, the deepest scars that I'll never heal
The artist recognizes the lasting damage of his family's emotional pain and feels powerless to heal from it.
They'll be back handed down from father to son
The singer fears that the cycle of emotional pain and dysfunction will continue to affect future generations of his family.
A closet full of skeletons
The artist references the hidden secrets and painful memories that have been kept buried within his family.
I will get by
The singer is determined to survive and move forward, even in the face of incredible emotional pain.
With a little understanding
The singer recognizes the importance of empathy and compassion in his journey to break free from his family's cycle.
'Cause it's my own life after all
The singer asserts his right to live his own life, free from the negative influence of his family's past.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDRE PESSIS, ERIC MARTIN, ERIC LEE MARTIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind