Love Exchange Failure
White Ward Lyrics

Empty streets wallow in night lights
The dark and deserted streets are illuminated by artificial lighting.

Crowded for a day, they rest
During the day, the streets are full of people and activity, but at night they become quiet and still.

But lonely strangers always gaze
Despite the stillness, there are always lonely people looking for companionship.

At every turn, they do their best
These lonely people make an effort to find love and connection wherever they can.

While someone's running from themselves
People sometimes try to avoid confronting their own issues and flaws.

They often want to save some time
This avoidance is an attempt to save time or effort that would be required for self-reflection.

Instead, they make an old mistake
This avoidance usually leads to repeating the same mistakes that caused the issues in the first place.

Passionately commit a crime
These repeated mistakes can be self-destructive, and the person may feel like they are doing something wrong.

Feeble flesh is torn apart
The body is weak and vulnerable to harm.

Blood and dust are turned to mud
Life is messy and chaotic, and even our physical bodies are subject to decay and impermanence.

Once was bright — will never shine
Something that was once good and promising may be permanently ruined or broken.

I gift you with what was mine
The artist is giving someone else their own pain and hurt.

Take my pains and leave a prayer
The singer hopes that the person they are giving their pain to will offer some sort of comfort or hope in exchange.

I am your most sinful player
The singer has caused harm to others and sees themselves as flawed and deserving of punishment.

The redemption for my past
The act of giving away their pain could be seen as a form of redemption for the singer's past actions.

Turned your smile into rust
The act of hurting someone else has caused them to lose their joy and hope.

A child is drowned within
The artist feels like a part of them is lost or has died.

Entombed in a pool of tears
The singer is consumed by their own emotions and grief.

A grownup is buried alive
Despite being an adult, the singer feels trapped and powerless.

And lives a life that's full of nightmares
The artist's life is filled with fear and trauma.

A victim's always innocent
When someone is hurt or traumatized, it is never their fault or something they deserve.

A murderer is sleepless
Someone who has hurt others may experience guilt and anxiety.

All my tears are pushing me
The singer's emotions are overwhelming and difficult to manage.

To the loss of empathy
The artist's emotional pain is making it hard for them to relate to others or feel compassion.

I delegate my weaknesses to you
The singer is giving someone else their burdens and flaws, hoping to be freed from them.

And carve a hymn to tyranny
The singer may feel frustrated or resentful of the power dynamic in their life.

With nails that go deep inside your chest
The act of giving someone else their pain may cause them harm as well.

I wish you all the best
Despite the harm they may cause, the artist still wishes the best for others and hopes for redemption.