Lyrics
Why don't you tell me
Asking the listener to communicate openly
What do you need?
Inquiring about the listener's needs
There is a blank page
Referring to a blank page, possibly symbolizing potential or uncertainty
For you
Emphasizing the openness for the listener on that blank page
Give me the bones of
Requesting the fundamental beliefs or principles
What you believe
Suggesting that these beliefs might offer protection or salvation
Maybe they'll save you
Speculating on the potential saving impact of these beliefs
From me
Hinting at a potential threat or danger from the speaker
Will I be the strong hand
Pondering if the speaker will be a source of strength and protection
Keeping you safe
Raising the question of the speaker's ability to provide security
Or will I break you
Raising the possibility of the speaker causing harm or breaking trust
In half
Visualizing the potential harm as breaking the listener in half
And you will never
Indicating the listener will not be easily controlled or manipulated
Be under my thumb
Stressing the listener's independence
But you are not your
Pointing out that the listener is not entirely self-sufficient
Own man
Highlighting the listener's dependence on external factors
See the way we all run
Observing the collective behavior of people
When we know it all off by heart
Noting familiarity with information or situations
Playing down, waiting all out
Describing a state of readiness or anticipation
Will we win or lose it this time?
Raising the question of success or failure in the current situation
When the pressure's building for a great white hope
Describing the increasing pressure for a promising outcome
Do you give up things that you love?
Asking if one is willing to sacrifice things they love under pressure
And the pressure's building 'til it takes you whole
Emphasizing the overwhelming nature of pressure
Can you go back on your own word?
Questioning the integrity of one's commitments and promises
All of your brothers
Referring to others who faced challenges but did not perish
They never died
Contrasting the fate of others with the listener's potential actions
For what you kill for
Highlighting the gravity of the listener's choices
Slowly
Describing a gradual and painful process
How it will grind you
Illustrating the relentless nature of pressure
Into the ground
Warning about the consequences of attempting to control the speaker
If you should try to
Suggesting resistance or opposition
Hold me
Indicating a potential struggle to contain the speaker
See the way we all run
Reiterating the observed behavior of people in familiar situations
When we know it all off by heart
Emphasizing the memorization of information or patterns
Played down, waiting all out
Repeating the idea of readiness, waiting for an outcome
When we win or lose it this time
Raising the question of success or failure again
When the pressure's building for a great white hope
Reiterating the pressure for a positive outcome
Do you give up things you love?
Repeating the question of sacrificing cherished things under pressure
And the pressure's building 'til it takes you whole
Emphasizing the engulfing nature of pressure
Can you go back on your own word?
Challenging the integrity of one's commitments once again
When the pressure's building for a great white hope
Echoing the theme of pressure for a positive outcome
Do you give up things you love?
Repeating the question of sacrificing cherished things under pressure
And the pressure's building 'til it takes you whole
Reemphasizing the overwhelming nature of pressure
Can you go back on your own word?
Questioning the reliability of one's own promises once more
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