SLEEPING DOGS
Zakk Wylde Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You couldn't find your peace
Within the bitterness that burns
For the sleeping dogs that lie
Forever to return, forever to return

Gone but not forgotten
You cut me down just to watch me bleed
Gone but not forgotten
I gave you the last word and that's the last thing you'll take from me

Isn't justice that you hope?
Believe in the story that you sell
For the Sleeping Dogs that lie
They are live and well, live and well

Gone but not forgotten
You cut me down just to watch me bleed
Gone but not forgotten
I gave you the last word and that's the last thing you take from me

Gone but not forgotten
You cut me down just to watch me bleed
Gone but not forgotten
I gave you the last word and that's the last thing you take from me





The last thing you take from me
The last thing you take from me

Overall Meaning

The song "Sleeping Dogs" by Zakk Wylde is a song that speaks about the bitterness that arises within a person when they fail to find peace that is within them. The lyrics speak to the fact that there is a nagging anger that refuses to be silenced within a person, a bitterness that keeps burning even when the person is tired and just wants to move on. The sleeping dogs are symbolic of the past, and the pain that has been buried deep within. The song speaks to how the past can never be truly forgotten, and how the pain that was inflicted upon someone can never truly be forgotten. The dogs will always come back to life, thus, reminding us of the hurt that lies deep within.


The song also speaks to the idea of justice and how people can believe the story they tell themselves even when those stories and beliefs are harmful to others. It’s an idea that speaks to the way we humans sometimes look for justifications to do wrong, even when we know it’s not morally right. It is a story of how people who have caused us harm or those we love, tend to haunt us in our minds, even long after they are gone.


Overall, this song is a commentary on the human condition- the eternal struggle between anger, forgiveness, and letting go. It speaks to the difficulty of truly moving on and coming at peace with one's past, and the pain that lingers on, even when we want it to go away.


Line by Line Meaning

You couldn't find your peace
You were unable to find inner peace


Within the bitterness that burns
Amid the anger and resentment that eats away at you


For the sleeping dogs that lie
In regards to unresolved issues that have been left alone


Forever to return, forever to return
Which always have a way of coming back to haunt you


Gone but not forgotten
Even though something may be gone, it still lingers in your memory


You cut me down just to watch me bleed
You deliberately hurt me for your own enjoyment


I gave you the last word and that's the last thing you'll take from me
You may have had the final say, but that's all you'll get from me


Isn't justice that you hope?
Is it true justice that you seek?


Believe in the story that you sell
You continue to peddle your own narrative


For the Sleeping Dogs that lie
Regarding the unresolved issues that have been left alone


They are live and well, live and well
That continue to fester and impact your life


The last thing you take from me
That final piece of control you had over me




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ZACHARY WYLDE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@raianpozas1711

You couldn't find your peace
Within the bitterness that burns
For the sleeping dogs that lie
Forever to return, forever to return
Gone but not forgotten
You cut me down just to watch me bleed
Gone but not forgotten
I gave you the last word and that's the last thing you'll take from me
Isn't justice that you hope?
Believe in the story that you sell
For the Sleeping Dogs that lie
They are live and well, live and well
Gone but not forgotten
You cut me down just to watch me bleed
Gone but not forgotten
I gave you the last word and that's the last thing you take from me
Gone but not forgotten
You cut me down just to watch me bleed
Gone but not forgotten
I gave you the last word and that's the last thing you take from me
The last thing you take from me
The last thing you take from me



All comments from YouTube:

@lothianandrade

This song and this man on the video reminds me of my Dad. The toughest man I've ever known. Crossed oceans and fought through storms his entire life and survived to tell he's story. Raised me to be a warrior. Now, I'm crossing my oceans and fighting my own battles. Thank you, Dad. I live to honor you.

@Floydfan47

Corey Taylor is a really nice addition to this song. The dude has a nice voice.

@osmarortega610

Corey Taylor is a really nice addition to any song.

@hankhilderbrand9929

I lost a child last year while my mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer. This song hits home for me. Thanks Zakk, your lyrics are always there for me.

@kermitrooseveltferkelroose9537

...its to late now but u can heal all cancers with healthy eating than cancer not even come ..dr. leonard coldwell

@candacem791

Difficult times for you, Hank. I wish you well. May peace be in your heart. I've lost a child and a Mom, too.

@Santafunk

Tmi

@anthonyluce7099

​@@candacem791pl

@letsrock12345

I hope youre alright today

@harleylift

Zakk is the best, I met him playing his guitar in front of his wifes mothers house and went up to him, not knowing who he was and said your really good and should be in a band. He replied to me, have you heard of Ozzy Osbourne, I said ya….. He then told me he was the guitarist for Ozzy, I felt so stupid! He gave a CD of Blacklabel Society and to this day still have it. Zakk is a down to earth guy and is the best. I hope he reads this and replies back and remembers that day. Great person, father and husband. I’ll always remember that day, Thanks Zakk.

More Comments

More Versions