Empathy
Swans Lyrics
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I was wrong to forgive.
Now I loathe my own weakness,
But you praise me for this.
There's a place in your future,
Where the wound will be healed,
And the children you injured,
You're afraid of the mirror,
So you crawl on the floor,
Where you count your perversions,
Then you rise up, filthy, with remorse...
The lyrics of Swans' song Empathy are a depiction of the complicated dynamics of power and abuse in a relationship. The first two lines reveal that both parties in the relationship have made mistakes, but one has come to regret their actions, while the other seems to have found solace in them. The singer is in a state of self-loathing for forgiving their partner's wrongdoings, but their partner praises them, perhaps for their compliance. The line "you were wrong to resist me" could suggest that the partner has a dominant role in the relationship, and the singer's acceptance of this role is what earned them praise.
The song's title, "Empathy," is ironic because it seems to be lacking in the relationship. The lyrics reveal a clear power imbalance, with one person holding all the power and control. They have injured "the children," who will one day rise up against them. This line hints at a redemption arc for the victims, who may seek retribution for the harm they've suffered. The final lines of the song suggest that the partner is ashamed of their actions, but instead of changing or seeking help, they indulge further in their perversions.
Overall, the song is a bleak portrayal of power dynamics in relationships, with one person holding all the control and the other struggling to maintain their identity and self-respect.
Line by Line Meaning
You were wrong to resist me,
I offered help but you refused it and I realize now that it was a mistake.
I was wrong to forgive.
I gave you too many chances and let you hurt me too many times.
Now I loathe my own weakness,
I hate myself for letting you hurt me.
But you praise me for this.
Despite my weakness, you admire me for continuing to forgive you.
There's a place in your future,
Someday, the things you've done will catch up to you.
Where the wound will be healed,
You will be punished for your wrongdoings.
And the children you injured,
The people you hurt will come back to avenge themselves.
Will rise up, purified, then kill your name...
They will rise up against you and make sure that everyone knows the horrible things you've done.
You're afraid of the mirror,
You can't face your own reflection because you're disgusted with yourself.
So you crawl on the floor,
You feel like you're at the bottom of the barrel.
Where you count your perversions,
You're constantly reminded of your mistakes and your sins.
Then you rise up, filthy, with remorse...
But you also feel bad about what you've done and want to make amends.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SVITEK, A KIZYS, MARTIN ATKINS, MATTHEW FERGUSON, MICHAEL GIRA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind