Alone
This Mortal Coil Lyrics


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Alone, with too much generosity.
A theater mask of hostility attracts
Assaults occur, infrequently
And those who come, to conquer

Need strength
But damage accumulates
Still moving him to tears

Retain a sense of humor.
Retain a sense of humor.




Retain a sense of humor.
Retain a sense of humor

Overall Meaning

The song "Alone" by This Mortal Coil is an introspective and contemplative piece that delves into the complicated emotions of feeling isolated and overwhelmed despite a constant stream of people around. The opening line, "Alone, with too much generosity," sets the tone of the song, suggesting that the singer may be surrounded by people, but they still feel alone in their own way. The following line, "A theater mask of hostility attracts," paints a picture of someone who may appear standoffish or unapproachable to others, perhaps as a defense mechanism to avoid getting hurt or feeling vulnerable.


The lyrics then move onto the idea that assaults occur infrequently, suggesting that while the singer may have a guard up, they do not regularly face attacks. However, those who come to conquer, or those who try to break down these walls, require strength. And while the singer may be strong, they still suffer damage over time, which moves them to tears.


The repeated refrain of "Retain a sense of humor" could be interpreted as a reminder to not take things too seriously or to find moments of levity in difficult situations. It could also suggest that the singer is trying to maintain a certain facade of humor or lightheartedness to deflect from their deeper emotions.


Overall, "Alone" is a poignant and thought-provoking song that touches on themes of isolation, strength, and vulnerability.


Line by Line Meaning

Alone, with too much generosity.
Being alone with a generous nature can be overwhelming.


A theater mask of hostility attracts
A fake persona of hostility attracts unwanted attention.


Assaults occur, infrequently
Physical attacks happen rarely.


And those who come, to conquer
Those who come to conquer need to be strong.


Need strength
Conquering requires strength.


But damage accumulates
The cost of conquering is often great.


Still moving him to tears
Despite the hardships, it can still be emotionally moving.


Retain a sense of humor.
Keep a sense of humor to deal with difficult situations.


Retain a sense of humor.
Humor can help cope with certain adversities.


Retain a sense of humor.
Don't lose the ability to see the funny side of things.


Retain a sense of humor.
Maintaining wit and humor can help survive tough times.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KARL GORDON, SHAZNAY LEWIS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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