Bandaged Knees
The Almighty Lyrics


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Sittin' lone inside my head
No mirrors to reflect
Is this here the season of joy
Or the season to inject
Lord this must be judgment day
Take a close look at myself
Are you happy?
With the hand that you've been dealt

[Chorus]
The bells they toll silently
Inflict invisible pain
Tell me which is more righteous
Chivas Regal or cocaine
Friends won't answer your phone calls
Call your long distance family
Well I hope someone is listening
As I sing on bandaged knees

On this holy day
I took to the skies
Are you tryin' to find yourself
Or just rearrange the time
Open up your spirit boy
Pass that liquid love
Do you prefer possesions
Or the purity of the dove

[Chorus]

Sing to me my little sister of mercy
Inspiration of my life
You know I can't stand the pain
But you know that I never cry
I play for you my love song
Sung only for the damned
I wish I could spend tonight with you
But you know that I can't

Look inside my black lines
Telling stories without couth
You might not like what they say
Cause they only speak the truth
Play for me tarot
Slip my neck through the belt
You can't change the ways of the game
When the cards are already dealt





[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Almighty's "Bandaged Knees" delve into themes of self-reflection, addiction, and moral confusion. The opening lines describe a state of isolation and insecurity, with the singer wondering if they should be feeling joy or injecting drugs. These lines also introduce the idea of judgment day, hinting at a religious undercurrent to the song. The chorus further explores these themes, with the tolling bells representing both an invisible pain and an uncertain moral code.


The second verse continues the religious references, with the singer taking to the skies on a holy day. However, the lyrics also touch on the idea of escapism, with the suggestion of "liquid love" and the question of possessions versus purity. The third verse shifts focus to the singer's relationship with a woman, singing to his "little sister of mercy" and wishing he could spend the night with her. The final lines of the song bring the lyrics back to the idea of truth-telling and accepting one's fate.


Overall, the lyrics of "Bandaged Knees" are a complex exploration of identity, morality, and addiction. The song suggests that finding truth and purpose in life is a difficult journey, and that even well-intentioned people can struggle to navigate the uncertainties of existence.


Line by Line Meaning

Sittin' lone inside my head
Feeling lonely and isolated in my own thoughts and emotions


No mirrors to reflect
Lacking outside perspective or feedback to help guide my self-reflection


Is this here the season of joy
Questioning whether this moment or time in my life should be filled with happiness and celebration


Or the season to inject
Wondering if my current struggles or challenges are best handled through self-medicating or addictive behaviors


Lord this must be judgment day
Feeling like I am being evaluated or judged for my actions and choices


Take a close look at myself
Examining my own behavior and identity critically and honestly


Are you happy?
Questioning whether I am genuinely content and fulfilled with my life


With the hand that you've been dealt
Considering if my circumstances and life experiences are fair and just


The bells they toll silently
Feeling a sense of ominous or dark foreboding hinted at in the background


Inflict invisible pain
Suffering emotionally or psychologically without any visible or apparent cause


Tell me which is more righteous
Asking whether certain behaviors, substances or actions are inherently better or worse than others


Chivas Regal or cocaine
Specifically questioning the relative worth or morality of drinking alcohol versus using drugs


Friends won't answer your phone calls
Feeling abandoned or ignored by my social network when I try to reach out


Call your long distance family
Reaching out to relatives or loved ones who are far away from you geographically


Well I hope someone is listening
Desperately wanting someone, anyone, to hear or understand your struggles and pain


As I sing on bandaged knees
Using music or art as a way to cope or express my feelings while feeling wounded or hurt


On this holy day
Reflecting on a day or moment of spiritual significance, such as a religious holiday


I took to the skies
Metaphorically escaping or transcending my ordinary physical environment and limitations


Are you tryin' to find yourself
Attempting to discover or understand your own identity and purpose


Or just rearrange the time
Trying to manipulate or change time or circumstances in order to avoid or escape from problems


Open up your spirit boy
Encouraging someone, likely another person, to open up and be vulnerable


Pass that liquid love
Offering or partaking in alcohol as a way of coping with pain or difficulties


Do you prefer possesions
Asking whether material possessions or external factors are more important than internal purity or authenticity


Or the purity of the dove
Valuing or striving for inner purity, morality, or spirituality above material things


Sing to me my little sister of mercy
Requesting or seeking comfort, empathy, or kindness from another person


Inspiration of my life
Viewing this person, possibly a significant other or inspirational figure, as a source of motivation or positive influence


You know I can't stand the pain
Expressing a dislike or inability to handle emotional or physical discomfort


But you know that I never cry
Acknowledging that even though the pain is difficult to handle, you never break down or give up


I play for you my love song
Expressing love or admiration for someone through a creative or artistic outlet


Sung only for the damned
Using music or art to connect with or comfort those who are struggling or in difficult situations


I wish I could spend tonight with you
Longing to spend time with someone you care about, possibly due to feelings of loneliness or isolation


But you know that I can't
Accepting that there are limitations and circumstances that prevent spending time with that person


Look inside my black lines
Encouraging others to explore or understand the writer's perspective and experiences through their art (poetry or song lyrics)


Telling stories without couth
Sharing personal or raw stories without being polite or delicate


You might not like what they say
Warning the listener that the stories may be uncomfortable or difficult to hear


Cause they only speak the truth
Asserting that the stories being told are genuine and honest, even if they are difficult or negative


Play for me tarot
Asking for clarity or insight from a fortune-telling or divination tool


Slip my neck through the belt
Taking risks or engaging in reckless or dangerous behavior despite the potential consequences


You can't change the ways of the game
Accepting that certain aspects of life, such as fate or inevitability, cannot be changed or influenced


When the cards are already dealt
Acknowledging that certain things in life are beyond our control or choice




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FRASER GRAEME MCAVOY, DEL JAMES, MATTHEW JULIANS, ANDREW MCCAFFERTY, RICKY WARWICK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

John Stewart

Brilliant song we need more like this

The Utopian Trainer

You know they're doing three gigs later this year?

John Stewart

@The Utopian Trainer yeah they will be in london in december

The Utopian Trainer

@John Stewart You going? I'll be seeing them in Manchester. Saw them a few times in the 90s.

John Stewart

@The Utopian Trainer yeah i hope to get to see them i just need to hook some tickets

Fears6676

I cry...

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