Blind
Swans Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Now some of us are weak and some endure
Some people live their life, with a violence that's pure and clean
But I saw a man cry once, down on his knees
In the corner of a darkened cell, and his pain meant nothing to me

But I was younger then young men never die
When I walked out in the sun, I was strong, clear-minded and blind
Now don't say a prayer for anyone, it doesn't do any good
Please don't ask me questions, it'd just be misunderstood
And if you could step inside me you'd feel what hatred brings
And if you saw with my eyes, you'd see what self-deception means

I was younger once, and I created a lie
And though my body was strong, I was self-diluted, confident, and blind

Now show some pity, for the weak of will
Because when we're drinking, we can never be filled
Show some understanding for a lonely fool
Because when I'm drinking, I am out of control
Well I was never young, nothing has transpired
And when I look in the mirror, I feel dead, I feel cold, I am blind

I am blind
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm




I am blind
I am blind

Overall Meaning

The Swans' song Blind is a melancholic and introspective examination of the singer's own personal struggles with violence, self-deception and alcoholism. The first stanza sees the singer reflect on the various ways people react to and endure the violence of life. He acknowledges that he once witnessed a man cry in pain and despair, but it failed to move him in any way, showing a level of emotional detachment. However, he also acknowledges his youthfulness and confidence at the time. In the second stanza, the singer pleads with others not to pray for him or ask him questions. He admits to feeling great hatred and self-delusion and suggests that if others could see through his eyes, they would understand what he means. He speaks of youth and how he once created a lie, leaving his body strong but his mind deluded.


The third and final stanza, the singer shows some empathy for the weak-willed and lonely individuals, for whom drinking is a refuge but ultimately becomes an addiction. He reflects on his own life, feeling dead and blind, speaking both metaphorically and literally. Overall, the song seems to express a sense of disillusionment with the world, oneself and the coping mechanisms we use to deal with our problems. It's a sad lament about the realization that, despite our efforts, we are never fully in control of our lives.


Line by Line Meaning

Now some of us are weak and some endure
Some people are stronger than others and able to withstand more challenges.


Some people live their life, with a violence that's pure and clean
Some individuals live with a passion and intensity that is pure and powerful.


But I saw a man cry once, down on his knees
I witnessed a man in great pain and despair.


In the corner of a darkened cell, and his pain meant nothing to me
However, I was emotionally detached and unable to empathize with his suffering.


But I was younger then young men never die
I was younger and naive, invincible and immortal in my mind.


When I walked out in the sun, I was strong, clear-minded and blind
I felt confident and powerful, yet ignorant and unaware of the true nature of reality.


Now don't say a prayer for anyone, it doesn't do any good
Praying for others does not necessarily change their situation or provide help.


Please don't ask me questions, it'd just be misunderstood
Asking me questions would not lead to better understanding or clarity.


And if you could step inside me you'd feel what hatred brings
If you could experience my perspective, you would understand the negative impact of hate.


And if you saw with my eyes, you'd see what self-deception means
Seeing the world through my eyes would reveal the extent of my self-delusion.


I was younger once, and I created a lie
In the past, I fabricated a falsehood and believed it to be true.


And though my body was strong, I was self-diluted, confident, and blind
Despite feeling physically capable, I was deluded, arrogant, and ignorant.


Now show some pity, for the weak of will
Display compassion for those who struggle with self-control and decision making.


Because when we're drinking, we can never be filled
Alcohol consumption can lead to an insatiable desire for more, never achieving satisfaction.


Show some understanding for a lonely fool
Exhibit empathy for someone who feels alone and foolish.


Because when I'm drinking, I am out of control
When I consume alcohol, I am unable to regulate my actions and behavior.


Well I was never young, nothing has transpired
I have never truly experienced youth or personal growth.


And when I look in the mirror, I feel dead, I feel cold, I am blind
Looking at myself in the mirror, I feel lifeless, isolated, and ignorant to my true self.


I am blind
I lack understanding and awareness of reality.


Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm


I am blind
I am still struggling with self-awareness and growth.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JON LORD

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
Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@vozitisemora

Now some of us are weak
And some endure
And some people live their life
In violence that’s pure and clean
But I saw a man cry once
Down on his knees
In the corner of a darkened cell
And his pain meant nothing to me

But I was younger then
And young men never die
When I walked out in the sun
I was strong, clear-minded and blind

I don’t say a prayer for anyone
It doesn’t do any good
Please don’t ask me questions
They’d just be misunderstood
And if you could step inside me
You'd feel what hatred brings
And if you saw with my eyes
You'd see what self-deception means

I was younger once
And I created a lie
And though my body was strong
I was self-deluded, confident and blind

Now show some pity
For weak of will
Because when we’re drinking
We can never be filled
Show some understanding
For the lonely fool
Because when I’m drinking
I’m out of control

I was never young
Nothing has transpired
But when I look in the mirror
I feel dead, I feel cold, I am blind

I am blind, mmm
I am blind, mmm
I am blind, mmm
Mmm

you'r welcome :D



@ScisaacFisaac

Ever have a song that "feels" like your stumbled-through childhood and current self all at once?

It's like the neighborhood where you grew up is the music embodied: vast and old and terrifying and more than your young self could ever hope to comprehend. Yet you still feel fondly when revisiting, like you really have come home.

And the lyrics are you yourself, though your life's never been harsh in the way the writer chronicles: trying to look back on everything and condemn your past and present self because you always have been -- and always will be -- blind.

Sorry, just a rambling YouTube comment, carry on!

(P.S.: little observation. I know it's nothing unique for White Light, but the fade-in and fade-out make it feel like a piece that never stops playing in the background. We just tuned in and heard a piece of someone else's pain.)



@Whyt3wyrm

[Verse 1]
Now some of us are weak
And some endure
And some people live their life
In violence that’s pure and clean
But I saw a man cry once
Down on his knees
In the corner of a darkened cell
And his pain meant nothing to me

[Chorus 1]
But I was younger then
And young men never die
When I walked out in the sun
I was strong, clear-minded and blind

[Verse 2]
I don’t say a prayer for anyone
It doesn’t do any good
Please don’t ask me questions
They’d just be misunderstood
And if you could step inside me
You'd feel what hatred brings
And if you saw with my eyes
You'd see what self-deception means

[Chorus 2]
I was younger once
And I created a lie
And though my body was strong
I was self-deluded, confident and blind

[Verse 3]
Now show some pity
For weak of will
Because when we’re drinking
We can never be filled
Show some understanding
For the lonely fool
Because when I’m drinking
I’m out of control

[Chorus 3]
I was never young
Nothing has transpired
But when I look in the mirror
I feel dead, I feel cold, I am blind

[Outro]
I am blind, mmm
I am blind, mmm
I am blind, mmm
Mmm



@Korewarumine

This song never fails to brake me in the half, it absolutely destroys me.
Because it remembers of my past self, that stole everything that I had because of his imaturity, greed, foolishness, lack of vision and true life perspectives. Stole everything that I considered valuable, stole my family, stole my friends, stole my energy, stole my teenagehood, stole all my happiness and will to live. Now, I'm constantly whinning and grieving about everything that I lost, everything that he stole from me.
I still don't even know if that thing were really me, were really who I now believe to be. But, I still take all the blame and shame by everything that he did. I feel guilty, I feel pathetic, I feel... blind...

"I was never young
Nothing has transpired
And when I look in the mirror
I feel dead, I feel cold, I am blind

I am blind, mmm...
I am blind, mmm... (blind)
I am blind, mmm...
Mmm..."



All comments from YouTube:

@seangomez1912

Seriously some of the most honest and introspective lyrics of all time. Literally every line is perfect

@xxHouseInMotionxx

agreed - pure and clean

@toddward6094

I’ve cried to this when I’ve failed or others have left me many times.

@GoblinsAreRealGuize

So damn genuine.

@JamesEarlCash

Generally speaking, totally about me. And it's hard to be proud. It's hard to be anything.

@milkimadethebeat7858

im a recovering addict and alcoholic. i moved across the country to escape the drugs. i did some shrooms and listened to this band, i just found this band. This shit hit way too hard. Such resonating lyrics. It's almost painful.

1 More Replies...

@everyvillainislemons7583

A very humbling song as a young man. It’s refreshing to hear someone older admit that their arrogance in their younger years was really not a strength at all.

@kingpest13

Growing older successfully entails some amount of of re evaluation and realization of past victories being mistakes. Some people never get there. It is a sign of a high functioning mind to second guess your decisions.

@blaisecarlton

Qd

@user-xt7vj2im7g

Exactly

More Comments

More Versions