Bitter Truth
Saint Vitus Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I knew a man, I 'm proud to say
But he couldn't live in a world he couldn't see
The laws of life, it 's ways are cold
Hidden patterns genetic mold

No one seemed to know for sure
A knowing look of falling to death 's door
Living unreal, time is to steal
Booking passage on a journey unknown

Blackened veins of nihilistic sadness
A painted mask substance induced gladness
With a spike or from a bottle
Tiny cartoon pictures on a square of paper blotter

He was a man, was fear's machine
Sickness don't fail, don't succumb to self-esteem
Unseen vessel, undreamed flight




No one knows if you were wrong or if you were right
R.I.P. H.B.

Overall Meaning

The song "Bitter Truth" by Saint Vitus tells the story of a man who struggles to live in a world he cannot comprehend. The first verse talks about a man whom the singer is proud of, but who ultimately can't handle the harsh reality of life. The laws of life are too much for him to bear and he is unable to understand the complex patterns that make up our existence. The second verse talks about how nobody knows for sure what happens when we die or what the meaning of life is, and the man in the song has booked passage on a journey that is unknown.


The chorus of the song talks about the man's drug addiction, and how it is a way for him to escape the pain of reality. The "tiny cartoon pictures on a square of paper blotter" refer to LSD, a drug that was popular during the time the song was written. The song also mentions other drugs like heroin ("with a spike") and alcohol ("from a bottle"), all of which the man uses to cope with his inner turmoil. The last verse talks about how the man was consumed by fear and sickness, and was unable to break free from the cycle of addiction. The song ends with the initials "R.I.P. H.B.", which could refer to a real-life person who inspired the song.


Line by Line Meaning

I knew a man, I 'm proud to say
The singer once knew a man who they respected and admired.


But he couldn't live in a world he couldn't see
The man struggled with living in a reality that he couldn't comprehend or relate to.


The laws of life, it 's ways are cold
The rules and regulations of the world can be harsh and unforgiving.


Hidden patterns genetic mold
There are underlying patterns and structures built into our DNA that we may not be aware of.


No one seemed to know for sure
The man's condition and feelings were not easily understood or diagnosed.


A knowing look of falling to death 's door
There were warning signs that the man was headed towards a dangerous path or outcome.


Living unreal, time is to steal
The man felt like he was living in a false reality and that time was slipping away from him.


Booking passage on a journey unknown
The man felt like he was embarking on a journey with an uncertain destination or outcome.


Blackened veins of nihilistic sadness
The man's despair and hopelessness felt all-consuming.


A painted mask substance induced gladness
The man may have used drugs or other substances to mask his pain and feel temporary happiness.


With a spike or from a bottle
The man may have used different methods to get high or numb himself from reality.


Tiny cartoon pictures on a square of paper blotter
The man may have used LSD on small pieces of paper with designs on them.


He was a man, was fear's machine
The man was dominated by a constant fear and anxiety.


Sickness don't fail, don't succumb to self-esteem
The man's illness was not something that he chose or could control and shouldn't be blamed for.


Unseen vessel, undreamed flight
The man's soul or essence could have transcended or escaped his body after death.


No one knows if you were wrong or if you were right
The impact and legacy of the man's life is ultimately unknown and up for interpretation.


R.I.P. H.B.
A tribute to the man who inspired the song.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

elrooster77

knew a man, I 'm proud to say
But he couldn't live in a world he couldn't see

Hidden patterns genetic mold

The laws of life, it 's ways are cold

No one seemed to know for sure

A knowing look of falling to death 's door

Living unreal, time is to steal

Booking passage on a journey unknown

Blackened veins of nihilistic sadness

A painted mask substance induced gladness
With a spike or from a bottle

Tiny cartoon pictures on a square of paper blotter

He was a man, was fear's machine
Sickness don't fail, don't succumb to self-esteem

Unseen vessel, undreamed flight

No one knows if you were wrong or if you were right

R.I.P. H. B



All comments from YouTube:

Roberto Ricci

Saint Vitus predated Alice in Chains. Same atmosphere, same themes. I bet Jerry Cantrell and Layne Staley were fans of this band.

Eric Campbell

This is way better than Alice In Chains.

Sadsack Kvisling

Kim Thayil as well

Random Channel

Yup, I bet AIC was inspired by St Vitus, both amazing bands

elrooster77

knew a man, I 'm proud to say
But he couldn't live in a world he couldn't see

Hidden patterns genetic mold

The laws of life, it 's ways are cold

No one seemed to know for sure

A knowing look of falling to death 's door

Living unreal, time is to steal

Booking passage on a journey unknown

Blackened veins of nihilistic sadness

A painted mask substance induced gladness
With a spike or from a bottle

Tiny cartoon pictures on a square of paper blotter

He was a man, was fear's machine
Sickness don't fail, don't succumb to self-esteem

Unseen vessel, undreamed flight

No one knows if you were wrong or if you were right

R.I.P. H. B

Mr. No Idea

This song and H.A.A.G. (Hell Ain't A Game) are tied for my favorite Saint Vitus song.

Brian Conway

Born on this day, September 29, 1960 Scott Weinrich.
This is DOOM...
<[B]>
Join us
@Metal x Punk (rockers of all genres)

vonsmink1

!!!!!!!WIN0' !!!!!!!

Keymo Embryo

this track needs more hits ov acid and more hits

Eric Campbell

I was sickened by Wino's crazy Q-anon statement but I love this music and always will.

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