Ghosts
The Red Clay Strays Lyrics
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My penance bares no reprieve and only sorrow insumes
Haunted by former self I count up all my mistakes
Clinched fist gripping tighter ever consumed by shame
Shake off the Ghosts of old
They only weigh you down
Reception's a long road
Better start walking now
Folks tend to judge my name based on who I was
Those days are over now I know who I've become
Shake off the Ghosts of old
They only weigh you down
Reception's a long road
Better start walking now
Still every now and then those operations apparitions
Creeping 'round in my head if nothing else I've learned
To shake off the Ghosts of old
They only weigh you down
Reception's a long road
Better start walking now
The Red Clay Strays's song Ghosts speaks to the experience of feeling trapped by one's past mistakes and the struggle to move on from them. The song opens with the admission that the singer cannot escape their past, no matter how hard they try. They feel a sense of guilt and regret for their actions, and believe that they are being punished for them. The lines "My penance bares no reprieve and only sorrow insumes" suggest that the singer feels trapped in a cycle of punishment and regret, unable to find any relief.
Despite this, the chorus suggests that the way forward is to "Shake off the Ghosts of old" and to start walking down the road of redemption. The ghosts referred to here could be seen as the singer's past mistakes or the self-doubt and insecurity that comes with them. The imagery of shaking them off suggests a physical exertion of energy, underscoring the difficulty of moving on.
The second verse speaks to the judgment that the singer feels from others, who still see them as the person they were in the past, rather than who they have become. However, the singer knows that they have changed and grown, and that they cannot be defined by their past mistakes.
Overall, Ghosts is a powerful testament to the difficulty of moving on from one's past, and the strength it takes to keep walking forward despite the weight of one's ghosts.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't escape my past no matter what I do
No matter how much I try, my past actions continue to follow and haunt me.
My penance bares no reprieve and only sorrow insumes
I cannot escape the consequences of my actions, and I am consumed by sorrow and regret.
Haunted by former self I count up all my mistakes
I am tormented by my past self and constantly tally up all of the errors I have made.
Clinched fist gripping tighter ever consumed by shame
I hold onto my shame so tightly that it consumes me and I cannot let it go.
Shake off the Ghosts of old
I need to let go of my past mistakes and move forward without being weighed down by regret.
They only weigh you down
Holding onto past mistakes will only hinder my potential to move forward and improve my current self.
Reception's a long road
The process of being accepted after making mistakes is long and difficult.
Better start walking now
I need to take action and start moving forward towards self-improvement and letting go of past mistakes.
Folks tend to judge my name based on who I was
People often hold onto my past mistakes and stereotypes me based on who I used to be.
Those days are over now I know who I've become
I have learned from my past and evolved into a better version of myself, and I should be judged based on my current self.
Still every now and then those operations apparitions
Occasionally, memories of my past mistakes continue to haunt me like ghosts.
Creeping 'round in my head if nothing else I've learned
Even though these memories still affect me, I have learned to acknowledge them and work to overcome them.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jaxjohn1805
I can't escape my past
No matter what I do
My penance bares no reprieve
And only sorrow insumes
Haunted by former self
I count up all my mistakes
Clinched fist gripping tighter
Ever consumed by shame
Shake off the ghosts of old
They only weigh you down
Redemption's a long road
Better start walking now
Folks tend to judge my name
Based on who I was
Those days are over now
I know who I've become
Shake off the ghosts of old
They only weigh you down
Redemption's a long road
Better start walking now
Still every now and then
Those apparitions return
Creepin' round in my head
If nothing else I've learned
Shake off the ghosts of old
They only weigh you down
Redemption's a long road
Better start walking now
Better start walking now
@drewbrown7513
Saw them live. They played this song to a bunch of people who didn’t know them. I can promise you after the song everyone knew them. I been a fan for a year now and love watching them play live and watching the reactions of people. Other than Nashville can’t really get this music
@AllGlitterandDirt
I am with you!
I have seen them 3 times in less than a year. They just keep getting better!
They are the future of Country Music!
@amberparker9883
This band is more rock than country.. bluesy, rock with a country, gospel twist 🔥🔥👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 best band around hands down
@k-jo7557
Just saw them live in concert and it was an other-worldly experience getting to listen to this guy’s voice. If he didn’t sing gospels I could’ve sworn he sold his soul to the devil to be able to have the range and control he does. These guys are going to be historical
@amberparker9883
These guys are amazing!!! That lead singer is exceptional. Not sure why ppl are comparing him to Stapleton though.. sounds NOTHING like him. Totally different style but definitely in my top 3 favorites along with Chris ❤
@brandonlee8312
I just found this band and I am obsessed, one great one after another❤❤
@user-pg7zg2nv1d
I got my cd and shirt today! Lord how mercy on me, I’m loving this group!! Old woman living in New York but born and raised in Memphis Tennessee
Brings me back to my roots! ❤❤❤❤❤
@Duh_koji_hoda
Lord have mercy,this band is off the chain ⛓️ 🙌. Love this music 🎶
@AllGlitterandDirt
When the lyrics to a full album feel like they are directly speaking to your soul...and giving you a message of hope!
...then the singer and musicians bring it to the next level!
Bravo Gentleman!
🌌🌟💕💜💕🌟🌌
@redgatorgamingnetwork
Know the feeling.... this one definitely hits home with me. Great job Red Clay Strays