In My Way
Since The Flood Lyrics

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You failed me. I should have known it long ago. In my eyes, you've torn apart everything we had; and for what? Afraid to be a man, afraid to take a stand. I've grown tired, tired of you and your half-hearted ways. I thought you were on my side, but you were in my way. I let you waste my time. You can't take back what's gone. You're too afraid to lose, and I've lost all my life. I have been betrayed. How can you live with yourself? If I were you, I could not look me in the eye. There'll be no more holding back. Save your excuses, your actions say enough. First time, last time, you failed; you're in my way. I'd be there for you. If you needed me. I wouldn't hesitate, now I'd just walk away. You won't fail me again.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Since The Flood's song In My Way are intensely personal and center around a sense of betrayal and disappointment. The first line “you failed me” sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is clearly addressing someone they trusted and had a close relationship with, but that trust has been broken. The repetition of “in my way” throughout the song emphasizes the frustration the singer feels at this person's inability to step up and be a true friend or partner. They are presented as a hindrance, blocking the singer from achieving something, hence the phrase "you were in my way".

The lines "Afraid to be a man, afraid to take a stand” are interesting as they highlight the particular type of disappointment the singer is feeling- this person has let them down in a way that feels particularly cowardly. The use of the word "man" suggests this is a male friend, and that perhaps they are not living up to certain ideas of masculinity. The statement “I’ve grown tired, tired of you and your half-hearted ways” further emphasizes this idea- the singer has reached the end of their patience with this person. The line “you're too afraid to lose, and I've lost all my life” suggests that while the other person is held back by fear, the singer is burning with ambition and sees any obstacle as something to be overcome. Finally, the lines “I'd be there for you. If you needed me. I wouldn't hesitate, now I'd just walk away. You won't fail me again” suggest that the singer has let go of their desire to help this person but is determined to not let themselves be hurt again.

Line by Line Meaning

You failed me.
I am disappointed in you for not meeting my expectations.

I should have known it long ago.
I should have recognized your flaws earlier on.

In my eyes, you've torn apart everything we had; and for what?
From my perspective, your actions ruined our relationship for no justifiable reason.

Afraid to be a man, afraid to take a stand.
You lack the courage to assert yourself and make difficult decisions.

I've grown tired, tired of you and your half-hearted ways.
I am exhausted by your lack of commitment and enthusiasm.

I thought you were on my side, but you were in my way.
I believed you were supporting me, but in reality, you hindered my progress.

I let you waste my time.
I allowed you to use my time ineffectively.

You can't take back what's gone.
It is impossible to undo the past and undo your mistakes.

You're too afraid to lose, and I've lost all my life.
Your fear of failure has prevented you from taking risks, while I have already suffered too many losses.

I have been betrayed.
You have broken my trust and let me down.

How can you live with yourself?
I do not understand how you can tolerate your own actions and lack of principles.

If I were you, I could not look me in the eye.
If I had behaved in the same way as you, I would feel too ashamed to face myself.

There'll be no more holding back.
I will no longer restrain myself or compromise on what I want.

Save your excuses, your actions say enough.
I do not want to hear your justifications because your behavior speaks for itself.

First time, last time, you failed; you're in my way.
This is the first and last chance you had to succeed, but you failed, and now you are obstructing me.

I'd be there for you. If you needed me. I wouldn't hesitate, now I'd just walk away.
I used to be supportive, but now I would not stick around if you needed help because of your past actions.

You won't fail me again.
I expect you to improve and not let me down once more.

Contributed by Cooper T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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