Empathy
Pendragon Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

As God sits with His head in His hands, tapping His pen on the ashtray
Cos the humans just don’t get ugly

Back from the dead with your head in your hands
Banging your fists on the table like a monkey

In these words from Solomon’s hand, everything I know must pass
It’s the only way I can grow

Passion? Give me some empathy (don’t let me down)

You took the car to the highest viewing point
A place of outstanding natural beauty, where everything is plain to see

This intoxicating mixture of self loathing and ecstasy
I wish I could just be grateful, the more I live the less I know

It’s only spinning molecules, racing back and forth
So why does it feel so bad?
If this energy exists forever, everything you need to know you already know

Cos I’m signing on the dole, and I’m signing my life away
I just want you to know how this makes me feel today
I don’t care what you write or what you say about me
Cos I just wanna see some empathy
Cos most of us are too afraid to come out in the sunlight
And get shot down in flames for what we believe is right
This makes me shit scared and scarred
Like the fire in the sky is like the fire in your heart
And I don’t need to be ripping myself apart for you, for you
But the time has come to understand the depths of the soul




And it’s at your most broken you will understand
Like we do, like we do, for you for you for you for you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Pendragon's song Empathy are quite introspective and deep, as they explore the human condition and our struggles in understanding ourselves and others. The song starts with a reference to God, who seems frustrated with humanity's inability to see the beauty in ugliness, which is a possible metaphor for the imperfections of life. The next line speaks of someone who has come back from the dead, possibly as a way of symbolizing a new beginning or a fresh perspective, and they are banging their fists on the table like a monkey, which could be an expression of frustration or anger.


The following lines make reference to Solomon, one of the wisest men in history, whose words remind us that everything we know must pass, which could indicate the impermanence of everything and the need to let go. The chorus speaks of the desire for empathy, which is the capacity to understand and share the feelings of others, and contrasts it with passion, which could be interpreted as a more self-centered emotion.


The other verses describe a journey to a high point, where everything is plain to see, which could be interpreted as a moment of clarity or insight. The next line speaks of an intoxicating mixture of self-loathing and ecstasy, which could represent the human struggle between our doubts and fears and our desires for happiness and fulfillment. The next lines question the meaning of life and the existence of energy, and end with a personal statement of frustration and a call for empathy. The final lines speak of the need to face our fears and understand our brokenness as a way of growing and connecting with others.


Line by Line Meaning

As God sits with His head in His hands, tapping His pen on the ashtray
God is frustrated and disappointed with humanity's inability to understand and appreciate imperfection.


Back from the dead with your head in your hands Banging your fists on the table like a monkey
Returning from a difficult situation, feeling frustrated and acting out like a wild animal.


In these words from Solomon’s hand, everything I know must pass It’s the only way I can grow
Everything we know will eventually change and disappear, and this is necessary for personal growth.


Passion? Give me some empathy (don’t let me down)
Rather than simply passion, understanding and empathy are needed to truly connect with others.


You took the car to the highest viewing point A place of outstanding natural beauty, where everything is plain to see
Reaching a high point where the beauty and truth of the world are clear and evident.


This intoxicating mixture of self loathing and ecstasy I wish I could just be grateful, the more I live the less I know
Feeling a conflicted mix of negative self-perception and bliss, yearning for a simpler, more grateful life but finding that experience only leads to more questions.


It’s only spinning molecules, racing back and forth So why does it feel so bad? If this energy exists forever, everything you need to know you already know
On a molecular level, everything is in constant flux, so why do we feel such intense negative emotion? All the necessary knowledge is already within us, stemming from the eternal energy of the universe.


Cos I’m signing on the dole, and I’m signing my life away I just want you to know how this makes me feel today I don’t care what you write or what you say about me Cos I just wanna see some empathy
Feeling hopeless and trapped, seeking empathy and understanding from others who may not even care about their situation.


Cos most of us are too afraid to come out in the sunlight And get shot down in flames for what we believe is right This makes me shit scared and scarred Like the fire in the sky is like the fire in your heart
People are too afraid to live authentically and express their beliefs for fear of being ridiculed or ostracized, causing deep fear and emotional wounds similar to the destructive power of a wildfire.


And I don’t need to be ripping myself apart for you, for you But the time has come to understand the depths of the soul And it’s at your most broken you will understand Like we do, like we do, for you for you for you for you
There is no need to destroy oneself for the sake of others, but true understanding of the soul can only come from being at one's lowest point, as many have experienced and can empathize with.




Contributed by Miles F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Sté

David Gilmour in Time, or in Comfortably Numb or Dogs or simply Another Brick in the Wall 2
Steve Hacket in Firth of fifth or in Musical Box
Steve Rothery in This Strange Engine, or Ocean Cloud or Script for a Jester 's Tear
Robert Fripp in Starless
Andy Latimer in Ice
Mike Oldfield in Ommadwan part one
Martin Barre in Aqualung

Yet, I agree, that solo in that very song is great, yup.



All comments from YouTube:

Tasos Leon

I like them very much, i'm fond of their music.

yariksl

Greetings from Ukraine! I accidentally got acquainted with the work of this band. I think this is one of the most interesting bands of today! Grandiosely! Incredible guitar!

Pilar Camacho

Recibe un abrazo!!! 🙅🏻‍♀️

Alain Adams

be brave ukraine !

Szymon Czaja

He is very personal in his music. See his "skylight" or aby other his music. Conclusion od na- 'faithful to your ideas'

Pilar Camacho

De otro nivel!!! Viva el progresivo de ayer y hoy!!!!

Sanya Tolmachev

Без преувеличения-грандиозное произведение.

Naflemac

This could well be the new Floyd, hear that God-sent guitar in the middle...wow!!

insequenceband

Excellent band and album! Maybe a little inspired by Devin Townsend's "Earth Day"?

lordsybok

Cool going to see them live in a couploe of weeks , looking forward to it.

More Comments