Safe and Sound
The Unfinished Sympathy Lyrics


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So you want to walk my way

So you want to feel the same

Duties all along with rights

Sharing all my days and nights
So you want to walk my way?

Is that still the same?

You can't get out or rid of this


Cause when the frame gets hurt it crashes down

And your mother won't pick up your bones through town

Life's what you get out boy

Dirt and noise

And some wet ink paper by the telephone

No little mistake I've been exact

When counting all of the friends I've had

And how they dropped off, boy

From the Tanger beacon to Vienna


So you want to walk my way

So you want to feel the same

Duties all along with rights

Sharing all my fears inside

So you want to walk my way?

Is that still the same?

You can't get out or rid of this


Cause when the frame gets hurt it crashes down

And no house will keep you safe and sound

Until you quit them boy

They'll miss your voice

And clean the blackboard often ‘til you name is gone

No little mistake I've been exact

When counting all of the friends I've had

And how they dropped off, boy





From the Tanger beacon to Vienna

Overall Meaning

In the song "Safe and Sound" by The Unfinished Sympathy, the singer is addressing someone who wants to walk the same path as them. The singer asks if the person still wants to walk their way, emphasizing the weight of the duties and responsibilities that come with the journey. They warn that once you're in, you can't get out or rid of it. The line "cause when the frame gets hurt it crashes down" suggests that if you make a mistake or misstep, it can have serious consequences.


The lyrics go on to describe how life is full of dirt, noise, and wet ink paper, hinting at the messy and unpredictable nature of the journey. The singer reflects on the friends they've had and how they've dropped off along the way, from the Tanger beacon to Vienna. The final lines of the song suggest that the only way to truly be safe and sound is to quit everything and everyone, but that it comes at a cost of being forgotten.


The song is an introspective take on the journey of life and the relationships we form along the way. It touches on themes of responsibility, perseverance, and the fleeting nature of human connections.


Line by Line Meaning

So you want to walk my way
Do you really want to follow my footsteps in life?


So you want to feel the same
Are you sure you want to experience the same feelings as me?


Duties all along with rights
Responsibilities come hand in hand with privileges.


Sharing all my days and nights
Being together through every moment of life.


You can't get out or rid of this
You cannot escape from the consequences of your actions.


Cause when the frame gets hurt it crashes down
If the structure of life is damaged, everything falls apart.


And your mother won't pick up your bones through town
No one will come to your aid to fix the mess you created.


Life's what you get out boy
Life is what you make of it, my friend.


Dirt and noise
Life can be chaotic and messy.


And some wet ink paper by the telephone
Memories and messages left behind will always remain.


No little mistake I've been exact
I have kept track of all my encounters with friends, even the failed ones.


When counting all of the friends I've had
Reflecting on the lost friendships.


And how they dropped off, boy
How they left and stopped being a part of my life.


From the Tanger beacon to Vienna
From far and wide, losing friends along the way.


Sharing all my fears inside
Being vulnerable and open about my fears.


Until you quit them boy
Until you let go of your distractions and weaknesses.


They'll miss your voice
Your absence will leave a void in their lives.


And clean the blackboard often ‘til your name is gone
They will erase all memories of you as time moves on.


And no house will keep you safe and sound
No amount of possessions can provide true safety and security.




Contributed by Nathaniel E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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