Is there a word or right to say
Even in this old fashioned way?
Go make your move, girl
I'm not coming home
Would things have changed if I could've stayed?
Would you have loved me either way?
Dressed to the blues, say to day with my collar up
Decision sits, so make it quick
A breath inhaled from an air so sick
I cursed the day I had learned of the web you spun
You had your hold till bleeding

(Hey, hey) if it was up to me
I would've figured you out
Way before the year clocked out
Oh, I hope you're waiting
(Hey, hey) if it was up to me
I would've never walked out
So until the sun burns out
Oh, I hope you're waiting

Would we have lived as a child would care?
With this vial to drink, I dare
Only to cry all alone with your taste on tongue (oh, where have you been?)
(Oh where have you been? Oh, where have you been if it hurts to be forgiving? Bye)

Should we try this again with hope? (Bye, bye)
Or is it lost? Give up the ghost
And should I die all alone as I knew I would
Then burn in hell young sinner

(Hey, hey) if it was up to me
I would've figured you out
Way before the year clocked out (girl, well I know you now)
Oh, I hope you're waiting
Oh, I hope you're waiting

Listen well, will you marry me? (Not now, boy)
And are you well in the suffering?
(You've been) the most gracious of hosts
You may be invited girl, but you're not coming in

Listen well, will you marry me? (Not now, boy)
And are you well in the suffering?
(You've been) the most gracious of hosts
I may be invited girl, but I'm not coming in

(Hey, hey) if it was up to me
(You had your hold) I would've figured you out
Way before the year clocked out (girl, well I know you now)
Oh, I hope you're waiting
(Hey, hey) if it was up to me
(You'll burn, you know) I would've never walked out
So until the sun burns out (oh, where have you been?)
(Oh where have you been? Oh, where have you been if it hurts to be forgiving?)
Oh, I hope you're waiting

Listen well, will you marry me? (Not now, boy)
And are you well in the suffering?
(You've been) the most gracious of hosts
You may be invited girl, but you're not coming in

Listen well, will you marry me? (Not now, boy)
And are you well in the suffering?
(You've been) the most gracious of hosts
I may be invited girl, but I'm not coming in

Listen well, will you marry me? (Not now, boy) (listen well, listen well)
And are you well in the suffering?
(You've been) the most gracious of hosts
You may be invited girl, but you're not coming in

Listen well, will you marry me? (Not now, boy) (listen well, listen well)
And are you well in the suffering?
(You've been) the most gracious of hosts
I may be invited girl, but I'm not coming in
And you're not coming in


Lyrics submitted by allhailsparta, edited by myloaxolotl

The Suffering Lyrics as written by Joshua Eppard Claudio Sanchez

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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The Suffering song meanings
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98 Comments

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  • +4
    Song Meaning

    As Claudio S. explains, this is a climax for Writer’s instability. He dwells on his past with Erica so frequently, with such intensity, that it is all he can think about. At this point in the album and the graphic novel, he has already resolved to enter the story, do what needs to be done, and move on. Still, though, he thinks about his proposal (or desire to propose) to Erica. It is consuming his entire life.

    mujiwaraon December 27, 2009   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    i think this song is about Claudio asking Newo Ikkin to marry him, but she declines him due to cercumstances [possibly she likes/loves Al, or shes joined Al (i thought joining Al because of "Welcome Home" and Claudio returning to see Newo with Al (my theory))]. "Would we have lived as a child would care? With this vial to drink I dare"... do I sense some Romeo and Juliet sorta thing?

    any of thoughts?

    Crank_My_Tuneson August 17, 2005   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    This is my idea of the meaning, could be wrong, but... IDK

    Maybe it's time for you t move on cause I'm not coming back, but I think if I had stayed would it have worked It's up to you to make the choice

    If it were up to me I wouldn't have left But I hope you still love me

    Would we have been happy together in our love story If we try again will we be happy or will the love die

    Listen, I love you Are you really okay without me? I'm glad we talked about this but my walls are still up

    LadyUnpluggedon July 04, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    any other thoughts?

    Crank_My_Tuneson August 17, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    At this point, perhaps, Sinstar has much more control over Claudio's actions, and may feel Newo is the only way left for redemption.

    nemton August 21, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    At the point where he sings, "Listen well will you marry me..."

    doesn't that sound a lot like the music and his voice on the last CD when singing, "Pull the trigger and the nightmare stops.."?

    i2ockbotmon August 24, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Yeah, I noticed too that it sounds like "pull the trigger and the nightmare stops."

    What I don't get about this song is that most of it seems to be a rejection song, so what's up with the "listen well, will you marry me" part? One last desperate plea before he realizes it's never gonna work?

    daria7483on August 27, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    maybe trying to save his relationship, sounds possible. Yeah, the vocals sound like other songs. The "hey hey's" from Blood Red Summer, and Three Evils's hook of "pull the trigger and the nightmare stops/listen well, will you marry me and are you well in the suffering"

    Crank_My_Tuneson August 28, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Also, is anyone else as excited for the 120 page graphic novel thats being released with the album? I love the comic's that have been slowly coming out, and a big book that tells the entire story of this album is going to be amazing.

    wetzillaon August 29, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    tis awsome song. this one s very tricky to decifer

    Dorsoe A.on August 30, 2005   Link

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