The Saga
The Libertines/Libertines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you let down your friends
When you let down the people
When you let down yourself
Oh, and only fools, vultures and undertakers
Will have any time for you
Oh
A problem, becomes a problem
When you lie to your friends
And you lie to your people
And you lie to yourself
And the truth's too harsh to comprehend
You just pretend there isn't a problem
I am a pimp and a slave
I dig my bed, you dig my bed
I dig my grave
And the truth's too harsh to comprehend
You just pretend there isn't a problem
No no, I ain't got a problem
It's you with the problem!
Problem
Problem
In The Libertines's song The Saga, the lyrics talk about how a problem becomes a real problem when one starts to let down their friends, people, and even themselves. It is when this behavior is repeated that a person can become a fool, vulture, or undertaker, as only these kinds of people will show any interest. The lyrics also suggest that when a person lies to themselves, their friends, and people, the problem only becomes worse as the truth becomes too harsh to handle. Rather than facing the problem head-on, pretending it does not exist seems to be the easier option.
Throughout the song, the lyrics suggest that the singer is a pimp and a slave who is digging his bed and grave. This is a metaphor for engaging in destructive behavior while also being victimized by it. The singer suggests that it is not him who has a problem, but rather the person listening to this song. This line can be interpreted as projecting blame onto others and not wanting to take responsibility for one's own actions.
Overall, The Saga is a song about facing one's problems and not letting them control one's life. It also highlights the danger of lying to oneself and others and how this can lead to destructive behavior.
Line by Line Meaning
A problem, becomes a problem
When you do something wrong and you don't correct it, that problem starts to escalate.
When you let down your friends
Your friends count on you, if you disappoint them, it can create problems.
When you let down the people
When you let down your community, those people may lose faith in you.
When you let down yourself
If you break promises to yourself or act against your morals, it can lead to feeling of guilt and further problems.
Oh, and only fools, vultures and undertakers
Those who take advantage of your problems are not your true friends or allies.
Will have any time for you
Only those who benefit from your problems will stick around.
When you lie to your friends
Lying to your friends can create rifts in relationships and cause problems.
And you lie to your people
Lying to those in your community or social circle can damage trust and lead to issues.
And you lie to yourself
Lying to yourself can lead to self-deception and further problems.
And the truth's too harsh to comprehend
Facing the truth can be difficult and painful, leading you to avoid it.
You just pretend there isn't a problem
Ignoring problems won't make them go away; it will just make things worse.
I am a pimp and a slave
I am both dependent and exploiting others, controlling them while being controlled myself.
I dig my bed, you dig my bed
We both have our own problems and cannot rely on each other.
I dig my grave
My actions are leading me towards self-destruction and harm.
No no, I ain't got a problem
Denying your problems won't make them go away or help you conquer them.
It's you with the problem!
Blaming others or deflecting problems onto others won't solve any issues.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PAUL ROUNDHILL, PETER DOHERTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind