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Barbed Wire
Still Born Lyrics
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My consciousness lies left behind
And I can feel he's how he's retaining me
Barbed Wire 'round every human being
Keeps me warm keeps me tight
So horribly frigth just like you
You just turn your head
cover your eyes
You burn me like a book
Burn me as they would
Barbed wire breaks my skin
Makes me struggle makes me scream
But I won't hold back what I know
Barbed Wire makes believe democracy
Is freedom is justice for all
And my flesh starts leaving the bone
You just turn your head
cover your eyes
And I Burn
You burn me like a book
Burn me as they would
Barbed Wire's what I'm breaking through
Twisting and turning in pieces I get there
I cannot survive but the dream's still alive
Barbed Wire shows me real anguish
Destroys all I hoped all my dreams
But the fist remains raised
The lyrics to Still Born's "Barbed Wire" describe the feeling of being trapped and confined by society's expectations and restrictions, as well as the pain that comes with struggling to break free from those constraints. The metaphor of barbed wire is used to represent the barriers that keep the singer (and all human beings) confined, but also provide a sense of comfort and familiarity. The singer acknowledges that these barriers can be painful and traumatic ("Barbed wire breaks my skin/Makes me struggle makes me scream"), but they also are necessary for survival in a dangerous world ("Keeps me warm keeps me tight/So horribly fraught just like you").
The song also explores themes of resistance and rebellion against these constraints, as the singer chooses to fight against the barbed wire rather than succumbing to it. The chorus repeats the line "You burn me like a book/Burn me as they would," which could be interpreted as a reference to book-burning as a symbol of censorship and control. The singer refuses to be silenced or erased, despite the pain and struggle that come with breaking through the barriers ("Barbed Wire's what I'm breaking through/Twisting and turning in pieces I get there").
Overall, "Barbed Wire" is a powerful commentary on the way that society limits and oppresses individuals, while also acknowledging the difficulty and pain that come with trying to challenge those limitations.
Line by Line Meaning
Barbed Wire surrounds my soul
My soul is trapped in pain and despair as if it is enclosed by barbed wire.
My consciousness lies left behind
My mind is lost and I cannot think clearly due to the agony.
And I can feel he's how he's retaining me
I sense that a force is holding me back and not allowing me to break free from the torment.
Barbed Wire 'round every human being
Metaphorically, the struggles of life impose obstacles on every individual representing 'barbed wire'.
Keeps me warm keeps me tight
I am so used to feeling trapped by life's struggles that I feel safe and secure in this state of suffering.
So horribly frigth just like you
The fear and pain I experience is not unique to me but is felt by others as well.
You just turn your head
cover your eyes
And I burn
Others try to ignore my pain and struggles, which only makes me feel worse.
You burn me like a book
Burn me as they would
Others are quick to judge and condemn me, punishing me for something that is not entirely in my control.
Barbed wire breaks my skin
Makes me struggle makes me scream
But I won't hold back what I know
The 'barbed wire' of life's struggles inflict physical and emotional pain, but I will not let it hold me back from speaking the truth.
Barbed Wire makes believe democracy
Is freedom is justice for all
The systems and structures that society has established to ensure freedom and justice are flawed and do not benefit everyone equally.
And my flesh starts leaving the bone
The pain and anguish is so intense that it feels like my body is breaking down from the inside out.
Barbed Wire's what I'm breaking through
Twisting and turning in pieces I get there
I cannot survive but the dream's still alive
Despite the obstacles in my way, I am still striving to break free and achieve my dreams, even though it may come at a great cost.
Barbed Wire shows me real anguish
Destroys all I hoped all my dreams
But the fist remains raised
Life's struggles have caused immense pain and may have wiped out my hopes and dreams, but I refuse to be defeated or silenced, and will continue to fight back.
Contributed by Jason R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Luke Epright
fuck yes