Brand New – Millstone

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I used to be such a burning example,
I used to be so original.
I used to care, I was being careful.
Made sure I showed it to those that I love.

I used to sleep without a single stir,
'Cause I was about my father's work.

Well Take me out tonight,
The ship of fools I'm on will sink.
A millstone around my neck,
Be my breath, there's nothing I wouldn't give.

I used to pray a God was listening.
I used to make my parents proud.
I was the glue that kept my friends together,
Now they don't talk and we don't go out.

I used to know the name of every person I kissed.
Now I made this bed and I can't fall asleep in it.

Take me out tonight,
The ship of fools I'm on will sink.
A millstone around my neck,
Be my breath, there's nothing I wouldn't give.

Throw me that lifeline,
The ship of fools I'm on will sink.
A millstone around my neck
Be my breath, there's nothing I wouldn't give.

Never hit the brakes
There's no time to save him,
He's run out in the street
Anybody know his name?
I think I recognize him
Sure it's him?
Running from that mistake

Whoa.

So take me out tonight.
The ship of fools I'm on will sink.
A millstone around my neck.
Be my breath, there's nothing I wouldn't give.

To save my life tonight.
The ship of fools I'm on will sink
A Millstone around my neck
Be my breath, there's nothing I wouldn't give.

Send "Millstone" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by prayingmantis84, edited by mstepanian

Track duration: 04:17

"Millstone" as written by Jesse Lacey

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Millstone song meanings
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  • 0
    Song Meaning:this song if of the same ilk as seventy times 7. if you read Matthew 18:6 it says

    "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."

    A pretty obvious connection as 70x7 is drawn from Matthew 18:22
    "Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."
    Flag afglazeron January 29, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:youtube.com/…
    clearly saying my own stone around my neck in this acoustic video!
    Flag hobomclaceyon August 09, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:by the way there is an alternate version of millstone on the jesus single... it is probably on youtube. take a listen, it will help you with understanding some lyrics despite the few differences.
    Flag hobomclaceyon August 09, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:JUST SO EVERYONE KNOWS
    it is IN FACT "my own stone around my neck"
    it used to be on the official lyric page on the brand new website.
    I don't know who keeps editing the lyrics but they used to be all correct and from the website and now 90% of them are WRONG.
    Flag hobomclaceyon August 09, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Honestly (an excuse my grammar and such) I have never been deeply religious at all, but was raised with intense morality. In my young adult age I have felt like this a lot, it is so easy to get caught up in the bar scene and lose everything important to you. The bar scene is a black hole (ship of fools). IMO Jesse is referring to the experiences he's had with alcohol and drinking which completely compromised his morals, ruined friendships, and made him into a whore slut. The millstone parts comes into play with the fact that he wasn't the instigator, nor does he try to get others to join in his "sin", he simply fell into it. The part that mentions sleeping without a single stir is definitely relatable to me, when I drank a lot all the time I would always have terrible nightmares all the time. To me this song is about contemplating how alcohol has ruined your life but still having a terrible addiction to it.
    Flag SeaKoralon September 03, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:What I find amazing is all the arguing over what this song means. What it means to Jesse Lacey we may never know but it is obvious the lyrics are very subjective. They mean what they mean to you. Sure it could be about falling away from God and feeling guilty and things going bad since he fell away. It could be about giving up on God because he lost faith. It could be about falling from grace in life in general. It could be about finding a girl that if he'd only been the person he used to be he could've had, and he wishes she could save him. It MIGHT be a metaphor for the clarity of mind you get right after you orgasm... doesn't matter. It means what it means to you.
    Flag fullmetalfunkon February 08, 2011   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:I am 99% sure that Jesse Lacey was brought up catholic. I think that this is reflected in soo many of his songs, a lot of his songs are about losing faith and coming to terms with himself and regaining faith. Religion is a big theme in a lot of Brand New's songs, including this one.
    And it is definitely "A millstone around my neck"
    How can you not get that?!?!
    Flag homburgson February 07, 2011   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Comment:@jeffe26 - I completely agree with you on your post! Truly one of the most heartfelt meaningful songs I have ever heard.
    Flag barbie_glitterson May 08, 2010   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:I guess everyone finds their own meanings in every song. But how can anyone not see the religious or christian reference in this song. "Millstone" the very title of the song is a reference to the bible. In the chorus it says that "I'm my own stone around my neck" referring to the biblical reference of a millstone acting as a weight or a burden. How many of us are "our own stones around our necks" or our own worst enemies. Our choices and our mistakes act as a burden or a weight hence "Millstone" He is not questioning God, but is going through something I personally know very well. Questioning himself and his past choices. That is what this whole album is about, you people are shit stupid if you cant see that. THE DEVIL AND GOD ARE RAGING INSIDE ME. It is a struggle we all have. The struggle between the good and the bad, Or the light and darkness in us. It is not limited to Christianity or religion in general. We all make mistakes and bad choices and have to live with those burdens. Jesse refers to it in Jesus Christ, Limousine, and basically every other song on this album. But this is a song about remorse. And I love how Jesse writes it from his own perspective and is taking responsibility for his actions and mistakes, it is something many of us need to do. "I'm my own stone around my neck." These words have changed the way I look at my life. Because nothing stands more true to me. I am the only one to blame for my mistakes and the remorse I feel. My own choices and mistakes and "Demons" are symbolized by a millstone, or a heavy burden weighing me down. This song is incredible. Jesse Lacey is the greatest songwriter ever.
    Flag jeffe26on March 18, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:From the first time I heard this song I always thought it was 'a milestone around my neck' and the title 'Millstone' always confused me. People make a good case for 'my own stone' despite that it still doesn't make sense to me.

    Anyways..., now what is bothering me is the previous line. I don't think anyone has mentioned it, at least I didn't see it posted anywhere.

    Sounds to me like... 'These sheep of fools are marked with sin'.

    Anyone else heard that?
    Flag flamedelugeon February 26, 2010   Link
    • 3 Replies

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