Shame on You
Stone Gossard Lyrics
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Without a little torture
Tied it up with string
And hung him from the line
It’s not my first excuse
A shot across my mouth
Sure I’ve done it too
It’s just a point of view
Shame on you
Shame on you
Shame on you
Up against the wall
The meat of my misgivings
Practicing for sure
I’ve been shot up there before
It’s not his first offense
To vary in my grasp
They handed out the views
Made sure it's run would last
Shame on you
Shame on you
Shame on you
Shame on you
It seemed to need a voice
To direct the fire demons
Sentimental cheer
To make it all alright
I’ll try to understand
The nature of the beast
I know it's in my hands now
I’ll sign for its release
Shame on you
Shame on you
Shame on you
Shame on you
The lyrics to Stone Gossard's song Shame On You are enigmatic and open to interpretation. It appears to be about the shame associated with failing to live up to expectations, whether they are societal norms or personal values. Sacrificing the lamb could represent sacrificing something innocent or good in oneself for gain or acceptance from others. Stringing it up and hanging it from the line could represent feeling exposed and vulnerable for one's faults.
The line "Up against the wall, the meat of my misgivings" suggests being caught or faced with the consequences of one's actions, and the practice could be a metaphor for rehearsing excuses or rationalizations for those actions. It seems to acknowledge that everyone has skeletons in their closet or things they are ashamed of, but it's a matter of perspective and judgment. The chorus of "shame on you" could be directed at oneself or at others who judge harshly without knowing the full story.
Line by Line Meaning
Sacrifice the lamb
Offering something innocent and helpless as a sacrifice to achieve a certain goal
Without a little torture
Having to go through hardship and suffering to achieve something worthwhile
Tied it up with string
Restraining and limiting someone or something's freedom and capability to act
And hung him from the line
Publicly shaming and displaying someone's faults and shortcomings
It’s not my first excuse
Having made excuses before and not taking responsibility for one's actions
A shot across my mouth
Being silenced or punished for speaking up and expressing one's opinions
Sure I’ve done it too
Admitting to having committed similar wrongdoings
It’s just a point of view
Seeing things from a different perspective and not necessarily being right or wrong
Shame on you
Expressing disappointment and disapproval towards someone's actions
Up against the wall
Being cornered and having no options left
The meat of my misgivings
The core and essence of one's doubts and uncertainties
Practicing for sure
Rehearsing and preparing for something that one is not quite ready for
I’ve been shot up there before
Having experienced failure and disappointment in similar situations
It’s not his first offense
Having committed similar wrongdoings in the past
To vary in my grasp
Being unpredictable and hard to control
They handed out the views
Being influenced and manipulated by external sources and opinions
Made sure it's run would last
Ensuring the longevity and success of a certain endeavor
It seemed to need a voice
Believing that something needs to be expressed and addressed
To direct the fire demons
Controlling and channeling one's strong and destructive emotions
Sentimental cheer
Trying to cheer oneself up and stay positive despite difficult circumstances
To make it all alright
Trying to fix and make amends for one's mistakes and faults
I’ll try to understand
Making an effort to comprehend and comprehend someone or something's nature and motives
The nature of the beast
The inherent and unavoidable characteristics and tendencies of something or someone
I know it's in my hands now
Being responsible and accountable for one's own actions and decisions
I’ll sign for its release
Taking ownership and responsibility for something and letting it go
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREA JANE CORR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind