Crystal Wrists
Peter Murphy Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can't see the light, I'm thrown in disgust
They speak of feats the housed forever
A howling wind changed my course
It blew me out of bounds so sore
All the walls, all the walls that bound me
Descending bleak and put upon

I chew my cheeks to wake up from
The vase grows bigger to my eyes
These eyes that snigger and despise
The wall grows taller up to doom

Shoes in my room, thrown in disgust
At how I fall to my worst
Of course you say you don't understand
Your words, your fiction, your crooked hands

But clearly now, I tell you man
That all I say Is all I can
For I am nothing but my sin
Until I learn to caste them in

While young girls fangs and crystal wrists
Wait patiently for me to twist
I look away to distant rains
To water falls and honey days
And boys in black and blue rinse eyes
Gaze whistly at my slender thighs

I twist a shade to my right
And spit at beelzebub on sight
And go on loving all I see
For here I live on patiently
Clearly now, I tell you man
That all I say Is all I can




For I am nothing but my sin
Until I learn to caste them in

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Peter Murphy's song "Crystal Wrists" describe a feeling of being trapped and unsure of how to move forward. The singer speaks of feeling thrown in disgust and unable to see the light. The song touches on themes of betrayal and disappointment, as the singer references being let down by others and feeling like they are nothing but their sins. Despite these feelings, there is a glimmer of hope in the singer's determination to cast off their sins and move forward.


The second part of the lyrics introduces a series of intriguing images, such as young girls with crystal wrists and boys with blue rinse eyes. These images add to the dreamlike quality of the song and give the sense that the singer is lost in their own thoughts and emotions. The final lines of the song suggest that the singer will continue to love and live patiently, even in the face of adversity.


Overall, "Crystal Wrists" is a haunting and introspective song that explores the depths of human emotion and the struggle to overcome personal obstacles.


Line by Line Meaning

I can't see the light, I'm thrown in disgust
I feel lost and disgusted, unable to find my way or see a positive path forward.


They speak of feats the housed forever
Others talk about success that lasts, but it feels out of reach for me.


A howling wind changed my course
An unexpected and negative event threw me off track.


It blew me out of bounds so sore
The event was painful and left me feeling lost and out of control.


All the walls, all the walls that bound me
I feel trapped and limited by the circumstances I am in.


Descending bleak and put upon
My situation is getting worse and I feel burdened by it.


I chew my cheeks to wake up from
I am desperate to snap out of this negative mindset.


The vase grows bigger to my eyes
The world around me feels overwhelming and intimidating.


These eyes that snigger and despise
I feel cynical and resentful towards the world and those around me.


The wall grows taller up to doom
My obstacles and limitations feel insurmountable and will lead to my downfall.


Shoes in my room, thrown in disgust
I feel frustration and anger towards myself for my current situation.


At how I fall to my worst
I am disappointed in my lack of progress and feel like I am failing.


Of course you say you don't understand
Others may not be able to comprehend or relate to my struggles.


Your words, your fiction, your crooked hands
I feel like people are not being truthful or genuine with me and may even be working against me.


But clearly now, I tell you man
I am speaking honestly and directly to others about my struggles.


That all I say Is all I can
I am being truthful about my feelings and limitations.


For I am nothing but my sin
I feel defined by my mistakes and shortcomings.


Until I learn to caste them in
I hope to overcome my negative tendencies and become a better person.


While young girls fangs and crystal wrists
I am surrounded by those who are young and beautiful, and may be tempted by their allure.


Wait patiently for me to twist
Others are waiting for me to give in to temptation or to change in some way.


I look away to distant rains
I try to find solace in nature or by looking beyond my current situation.


To waterfalls and honey days
I dream of idyllic and peaceful settings.


And boys in black and blue rinse eyes
I am attracted to those who are troubled or damaged in some way, and may have a self-destructive streak.


Gaze whistly at my slender thighs
Others may be attracted to me physically, but I am not sure if it is for the right reasons.


I twist a shade to my right
I try to change my perspective or outlook on my situation.


And spit at beelzebub on sight
I reject temptation or negative influences.


And go on loving all I see
I try to find beauty and positivity in the world around me.


For here I live on patiently
Despite my struggles, I try to remain optimistic and wait for better days.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MURPHY, STATHAM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions