Well, you're my friend
And you can see
May times we've been out drinking
Many times we've shared our thoughts
Did you ever, ever notice, the kind of thoughts I got
Well you know I have a love, for everyone I know
And you know I have a drive, for life that won't let go
But sometimes the opposition come rising up in me
This terrible imposition, comes blacking through my mind

And then I see a darkness
Oh no, I see a darkness
Do you know how much I love you
Cause I'm hoping some day soon
You'll save me from this darkness

Well, I hope that someday soon
We'll find peace in our lives
Together or apart
Alone or with our wives
And we can stop our whoring
And draw the smiles inside
And light it up forever
And never go to sleep
My best unbeaten brother
That isn't all I see

And then I see a darkness
Oh no, I see a darkness
Do you know how much I love you
Cause I'm hoping someday soon
You'll save me from this darkness



Lyrics submitted by ButNeverOutgunned

Track duration: 03:42

"I See a Darkness" as written by Will Oldham

Lyrics © BUG MUSIC

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I See A Darkness song meanings
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7 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:I must mention that "I see a darkness" was written by Will Oldham (aka Bonnie 'prince' Billy.) Great artist! Even so great that Cash himself covered him.

    I feel that this song is well accompanied with another text, written by the mother of the late; great singer/songwriter Nick Drake.



    The Shell (A Skin Too Few)

    Living grows round us like a skin
    to shut away the outer desolation
    For if we clearly mark the furthest deep
    we should be dead long years before the grave.
    But turning around within the homely shell
    of worry discontent and narrow joy
    we grow and flourish and rarely see the
    outside dark that would confound our eyes
    some break the shell…
    I think that there are those who push their
    fingers through the brittle walls and
    make a hole…and through this cruel
    slit stare out across the cinders of the
    world with naked eyes they look both out and end,
    knowing themselves and too much else beside.
    Flag Untunedon May 15, 2013   Link
  • +1
    Lyric Correction:Lyrics are incorrect here and there. I assume these are copied from the original.

    Well, you're my friend and can you see,
    Many times we've been out drinkin',
    Many times we've shared our thoughts,
    But did you ever, ever notice, the kind of thoughts I got?

    Well, you know I have a love, a love for everyone I know.
    And you know I have a drive to live, I won't let go.
    But can you see this opposition comes rising up sometimes?
    That it's dreadful imposition, comes blacking in my mind.

    And that I see a darkness.
    And that I see a darkness.
    And that I see a darkness.
    Did you know how much I love you?
    Is a hope that somehow you,
    Can save me from this darkness.

    Well, I hope that someday, buddy, we have peace in our lives.
    Together or apart, alone or with our wives.
    And we can stop our whoring and pull the smiles inside.
    And light it up forever and never go to sleep.
    My best unbeaten brother, this isn't all I see.

    Oh, no, I see a darkness.
    Oh, no, I see a darkness.
    Oh, no, I see a darkness.
    Oh, no, I see a darkness.
    Did you know how much I love you?
    Is a hope that somehow you,
    Can save me from this darkness.
    Flag rotinhellorgon November 06, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:jimboa i can also relate, this is my current life no one knows me at all
    Flag Hanny64on February 01, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The very meaning of true friendship.
    Everyone has their secret "dark side" that even those closest to you may not know about... but a true friend will not let you succumb to it.
    Flag Das Boeseon January 29, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I can relate to this song - it's about having some good friends, but at the same time, having a dark side to yourself. You see it eating away at you, maybe it's a deep depression, maybe it's a dark rage or anger problem. But you find yourself hoping your friends and family can save you, because you know you cannot save yourself.
    Flag jimboa18on June 18, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This is a great song and Johnny Cash has a great voice. Its obviously about having dark thoughts/ depression but trying to look to the future
    Flag Gremlin666on August 21, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Bonnie 'Prince' Billy cover...

    meaning couldn't be much more forward. its about depression and friendship, and helping friends to get through hard times
    Flag crippledmcgimpon June 01, 2006   Link

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