The Bolter
Taylor Swift Lyrics
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When she was six in frigid water
And I can confirm she made
A curious child, ever reviled
By everyone except her own father
With a quite bewitching face
Splendidly selfish, charmingly helpless
Excellent fun 'til you get to know herThen she runs like it's a race
Behind her back, her best mates laughed
And they nicknamed her "The Bolter"
Started with a kiss
"Oh, we must stop meeting like this"
But it always ends up with a Town Car speeding
Out the drive one evening
Ended with the slam of a door
Then she'll call him a bore
Wish he wouldn't be sore
But as she was leaving
It felt like breathing
All her many lives
Flashed before her eyes
It feels like the time
She fell through the ice
Then came out alive
He was a cad, wanted her bad
Just like any good trophy hunter
And she likes the way it tastes
Taming a bear, making him care
Watching him jump then pulling him under
And at first blush, this is fateWhen it's all roses, portrait poses
Central Park Lake in tiny rowboats
What a charming Saturday
That's when she sees the littlest leaks
Down in the floorboards
And she just knows
She must bolt
Started with a kiss
"Oh, we must stop meeting like this"
But it always ends up with a Town Car speeding
Out the drive one evening
Ended with the slam of a door
Then she'll call him a bore
Wish he wouldn't be sore
But as she was leaving
It felt like breathing
All her many lives
Flashed before her eyes
It feels like the time
She fell through the ice
Then came out alive
She's been many places with
Men of many faces
First, they're off to the races
And she's laughing, drawin' aces
But, none of it is changin'
That the chariot is waitin'
Hearts are hers for the breakin'
There's an escape in escaping
Started with a kiss
"Oh, we must stop meeting like this"
But it always ends up with a Town Car speeding
Out the drive one evening
Ended with the slam of a door
But she's got the best stories
You can be sure
That as she was leaving
It felt like freedom
All her many lives
Flashed before her eyes
(And she realized)
It feels like the time
She fell through the ice
Then came out alive
The lyrics to Taylor Swift's song "The Bolter" tell the story of a complex, enigmatic woman who has faced struggles and challenges throughout her life. The opening verse describes a traumatic childhood incident where she almost drowned at a young age, setting the tone for her resilience and survival instincts. Despite being misunderstood and judged by others, particularly by her father, she is portrayed as captivating with a mixture of selfishness and helplessness that draws people in until they realize her true nature and she pushes them away.
The narrative then delves into a tumultuous romantic relationship that is characterized by passion, betrayal, and a sense of inevitability. The woman is depicted as engaging in a pattern of intense connections that ultimately end in abrupt, dramatic exits. There is a sense of reckless abandon and emotional turmoil in her interactions with her lover, who is portrayed as a manipulative figure driven by desire. The lyrics highlight the cyclical nature of their dynamic, with moments of intimacy followed by explosive confrontations and harsh judgments.
The lyrics further explore the woman's complex psyche, depicting her as a master of manipulation and control in her relationships with men. She is likened to a trophy hunter who enjoys the thrill of taming and possessing her prey, only to discard them when they become too attached or demanding. There is a sense of detachment and self-preservation in her actions, as she moves from one conquest to another, leaving a trail of broken hearts and shattered expectations in her wake.
Ultimately, the song captures the woman's sense of liberation and empowerment in her ability to walk away from toxic situations and relationships. Despite the tumultuous nature of her experiences, she emerges stronger and more self-aware, having gained insights into her own resilience and survival instincts. The lyrics convey a message of resilience, survival, and self-discovery, as the woman navigates through life's challenges and emerges stronger and more self-assured with each trial she faces.
Line by Line Meaning
By all accounts, she almost drowned
Despite everyone's stories, she faced a near-death experience
When she was six in frigid water
It occurred when she was just a young child in icy waters
And I can confirm she made
I can vouch for the fact that she became
A curious child, ever reviled
A child full of wonder, always despised
By everyone except her own father
Except for her father, who showed her love
With a quite bewitching face
Possessing an enchanting and captivating appearance
Splendidly selfish, charmingly helpless
Strikingly self-centered yet endearingly vulnerable
Excellent fun 'til you get to know her
Entertaining until you truly understand her
Then she runs like it's a race
After knowing her, she flees as if in a competition
Behind her back, her best mates laughed
Her closest friends mocked her when she wasn't around
And they nicknamed her 'The Bolter'
They gave her the nickname 'The Bolter'
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Taylor Swift, Aaron Dessner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bittersweetsant
reminds me betty
@DaveHamel-l2q
2:51 I LOVE THIS BRIDGE THERES ESCAPE IN ESCAPING
@user-oj9zi3bw1e
2:51
@MinnzPiano
so this the song where we get the iconic lyric “but as she was leaving, it felt like breathing” 😌
@folkmore9
Hey Minnz, I loved your "playing Fortnight by ear" short. You're so talented! 🩷🤍🩶
@Dervs-pb5ey
Reminds me of 'Clean' from 1989!
@rabbitqueen7075
OMG I love your music, I listen to it all the time!!
@AngeliqueDLM
Exactly❤
@blissedbren
Connection to her breath beginning The Smallest Man? I don’t even want you back💙
@thatsthedevil
AND SHE JUST KNOWS
SHE MUST BOLT