Wicked
Tonic Lyrics


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Oh tell the tale of the wicked soldier
Oh tell the tale of the wicked man
Oh tell the tale of the wicked soldier
Oh tell the tale of the wicked man
They say they heard him cry the fool's prayer
They say that - They just say that
For oh, my love's by the old tin wall
She's waiting there - she's waiting there for me
My love's by the old tin wall
She's waiting there - she's waiting there for me
Some say the rope, she is hanging
Some say the rope, she is free
Some say the rope, she is hanging
So say the rope to hang upon me
So say the wise, she can't hear you
So say the wise, she can't hear
So say the wise, she can't hear you
Some say that - they just say that
For oh, my love's by the old tin wall
She's waiting there - she's waiting there for me
All others will compare to her
She's waiting there - she's waiting there for me
Oh my love I've waited here for you
All this time
Oh my love I've waited here for you
All this time
My love's by the old tin wall
She's waiting there - she's waiting there for me
My love's by the old tin wall
She's waiting there - she's waiting there for me
All other's will compare
She'll never know




She'll never know
She'll never know

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Tonic’s “Wicked Soldier” seem to be a tale of a man who has committed a heinous act but is still seeking redemption through the love of his life. The man is referred to as both a “wicked soldier” and a “wicked man,” suggesting that he was once a soldier but has since become a criminal. The first verse asks for the tale to be told of this man, as though he is infamous but still deserving of recognition. It is also mentioned that people have “heard him cry the fool’s prayer,” which could imply that he is seeking forgiveness or redemption for his actions, but others are skeptical of his intentions.


The chorus is a repetition of the first two lines, emphasizing the need for this story to be told. The second verse adds a layer of mystery, as the man’s fate is uncertain. Some say he is being punished, represented by the image of a rope used for hanging. But others claim that he is free, complicating the story further. The man’s love is waiting for him by the old tin wall, which may be a symbolic location of their past or future together. It is unclear what the man is waiting for, whether it is for his execution or a reunion with his love.


The third verse repeats the doubts of the man’s intentions, with the lines “so say the wise, she can’t hear you / some say that – they just say that.” It is almost as though the man is being judged by his peers or society and not given a fair chance to explain or redeem himself. The final repetition of the chorus stands out with the addition of “All others will compare to her / She’ll never know / She’ll never know” which implies that the man’s love is truly unique and he is willing to wait for her no matter his fate.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh tell the tale of the wicked soldier
Please narrate the story of the evil soldier


Oh tell the tale of the wicked man
Please narrate the story of the wicked person


They say they heard him cry the fool's prayer
The story goes that he once cried a foolish prayer


They say that - They just say that
It's just hearsay and not confirmed


For oh, my love's by the old tin wall
Because my lover is waiting for me by the old metal wall


She's waiting there - she's waiting there for me
She's patiently waiting for me there


Some say the rope, she is hanging
There are those who believe that the noose is around her neck


Some say the rope, she is free
Others think that she's free from the noose


Some say the rope, she is hanging
Some believe that she's about to be executed


So say the rope to hang upon me
It seems like I'm the one who'll get hanged instead


So say the wise, she can't hear you
The wise knows that she can't hear them anymore


So say the wise, she can't hear
The wise people believe that she's already deaf to any pleas


So say the wise, she can't hear you
The wise believes that she's beyond reach


Some say that - they just say that
Some people say that, but there's no proof


All others will compare to her
No one else can match up to her


She's waiting there - she's waiting there for me
She's still waiting patiently for me


Oh my love I've waited here for you
I've been waiting for my lover for a long time


All this time
For an extended period


Oh my love I've waited here for you
I've sustained my waiting for my beloved


My love's by the old tin wall
My love is situated by an old metallic wall


She's waiting there - she's waiting there for me
My love is waiting patiently for me there


All others will compare
No one else can match up to her greatness


She'll never know
She'll never find out


She'll never know
She'll never acquire this knowledge


She'll never know
She'll never be informed of this fact




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAN ROTHCHILD, EMERSON HART, JEFF RUSSO, KEVIN SHEPARD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Michael Barrett

This whole album is amazing

michael duhaime

u got that right its a fucking masterpiece

lachata79

I still own my CD (case and all) from back then! Such an awesome band...not one bad song! Still listening in 2020!!! đź’Ż

aaron rao

Wow me to... Cds huh I feel old

H.Campbell

Still get's played regularly and of course LOUD!! Has accompanied me on many a run and gym session. Great song from a great album.

kcnoise

Agree that this album is very good. The hook on this song is amazing.

Jessie Doherty

This song is probably my favorite with Mountain, off that album. Great band.

Mikey Kyle Jr

Very underrated band

Frederick PIAZZA

Super morceau, j'adore !

Electricshrock

The bass on this song is awesome

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