Doubt
Tanner Merritt Lyrics

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Doubt.

I tremble tremble so the fear can set in, I've got a gut full of dirt
But it's not enough to admit.
I've seen the best that forgiveness can get, known the rest it can give
But I'm still too proud to repent.
I heard the lie that a tyrant had spit, I saw the life that it split
While I just tried to forget.

I've seen the flames lick the heels of good men, I feel them calling my name
But I'm just too tired to resist.

I've got a point to prove or I'd be back in your arms
(I'll be back in your arms someday).
When I've got it all to lose I'll be back in your arms
(I'll be back there, but not today).

I'm only inspiring doubt, but all I want is belief.

Overall Meaning

In Tanner Merritt's song "Doubt," the lyrics express the inner turmoil of someone who is struggling with their own doubts and fears. The song begins with a confession of feeling afraid and overwhelmed, with the singer trembling with fear and filled with a sense of wrongness. Despite this, the character is too proud to admit to their mistakes and seek forgiveness, even though they have seen the power of forgiveness in action. The main character also struggles with memories of past trauma and violence, attempting to forget them but unable to do so. The character seems trapped by their own exhaustion, unable to resist the pull of their own doubts.

The song's chorus expresses an internal conflict of wanting to prove something to someone, while also longing to be back in their arms. The character wants to prove themselves, but is uncertain how to do so. While they want to return to a place of love and security, it seems out of reach for the moment. In the final line of the song, the character expresses a desire for belief rather than doubt, contrasting their own inner turmoil with a longing for a sense of certainty and peace.

Line by Line Meaning

I tremble tremble so the fear can set in, I've got a gut full of dirt
I'm afraid of what's coming, I have guilty feelings that I choose to ignore.

But it's not enough to admit.
My fear and guilt are too big to confess.

I've seen the best that forgiveness can get, known the rest it can give But I'm still too proud to repent.
I know the power of forgiveness, but I refuse to ask for it because of my pride.

I heard the lie that a tyrant had spit, I saw the life that it split While I just tried to forget.
I witnessed injustice and tried to ignore it.

I've seen the flames lick the heels of good men, I feel them calling my name But I'm just too tired to resist.
I've seen people suffer because of their actions and I feel like it's just a matter of time before it's my turn. But I'm too exhausted to do anything about it.

I've got a point to prove or I'd be back in your arms (I'll be back in your arms someday).
I'm too stubborn to admit I'm wrong, even if it means losing you. But I hope someday I will come back to you.

When I've got it all to lose I'll be back in your arms (I'll be back there, but not today).
When I have nothing left to lose, I will try to return to you. But not today.

I'm only inspiring doubt, but all I want is belief.
I know that my actions are doubtful, but I still hope that someone will believe in me and see the best in me.

Contributed by Anthony F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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