Borrowed Time
Wakes Lyrics

The lyrics of Wakes's song "Borrowed Time" convey a sense of uncertainty and instability, with the singer acknowledging that they don't know how much time they have left. The opening lines, "Baby I don't know / Living on your / Your borrowed time" suggest that the singer may be living recklessly, or that they are in a fraught or dangerous situation. However, these lines can also be interpreted more metaphorically, as a reflection on the fleeting nature of existence, and the idea that none of us really know how much time we have in life.

The next lines, "But I can't forget why / You left me by the fire" reveal that the singer's thoughts are focused on a past relationship. The image of being left by a fire may suggest a sense of betrayal or abandonment, and the fact that the singer "can't forget" implies that they are still grappling with unresolved feelings. The following lines, "So let's get a long / And we'll leave / Our clothing on" seem to suggest a desire for physical intimacy, but also a reluctance to fully reveal oneself or become vulnerable.

The second verse of the song offers a change in perspective, with the singer addressing the object of their thoughts directly: "Open the door away / From the trials you face / And I will haunt / The places you've lost / So let me by / We sail alone / Right into the sea." Here, the singer offers themselves as a source of comfort or support, offering to accompany the addressee on a journey into the unknown. However, the repeated use of the word "haunt" suggests a more ambiguous tone-- is the singer really offering help, or are they themselves a haunting presence? The final lines, "My mind is caving inward / From the demons that haunt me so / And I feel the walls crumbling / Around your / Your precious throes" reinforce this sense of uncertainty and instability, with the vivid image of "crumbling walls" suggesting a lack of emotional or psychological stability.