You fault my pride
Don't ever need to apologize
As your lips unfold
Shakin' purple from the cold

You better learn to crawl
You better learn to crawl
Before I walk away
Before I walk away

You broke my mouth
The bloody bits are spitting out
Is your grave unscathed
The worm is counting down the days

He wants to see you crawl
He wants to see you crawl
Before I walk away
Before I walk away

The reds and the whites and abused
The crucified USA
As their hypocrisy unfolds
Oh hell is truly on its way

As the rat, and the fly
They're searching for an alibi
As we await the wrath
They never went to Sunday Mass

They want to see us crawl
They want to see us crawl
Before they walk away
Before they walk away

The reds and the whites and abused
The crucified USA
As their hypocrisy unfolds
Oh hell is truly on its way



Lyrics submitted by daltontowers

Track duration: 04:06

"Crawl" as written by Jared/followill Followill

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BUG MUSIC, WINDSWEPT HOLDINGS LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Crawl song meanings
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35 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:Caleb spent years writing about relationships. Only By the Night was no different. The whole record tells a story about overcoming a bad relationship. This song is the transitional key that sets up both the religious and political overtones for the remainder of the album.
    Flag funkitup4yaon June 22, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:We're all someone's bitch at some point.
    Flag ifamericansknewdotorgon December 03, 2010   Link
  • +2
    My Interpretation:The first stanza talks about the downturn of the U.S. in a cosmopolitan sense, as this song is a sociological commentary. He insinuates a loss of pride, seemingly for the later mentioned "crucified USA." Note the "never need to 'pologize" leads to "purple" when the subject's lips unfold. Purple is a literary symbol of flowery monologue, or rhetoric. It comments on the rhetorical speak that is in stead of responsibility in the political sense.

    "You better learn to crawl before I walk away" is likely hearkening to the cliche image of peons having to crawl before their monarch, likening either our government, or the world stage, to a monarchy. In light of recent years, it is likely the court of world opinion that is this monarchy.

    The line in the third stanza regarding the broken mouth is a likely a simple commentary on the inability of the individual to speak out. It could also have to do with the symbolism of broken teeth, meaning a state of disrepair in one's life. This could fit with the theme of heavy powers bearing down. The ensuing lines, however, begin to paint the picture that the unscathed grave will soon be filled, arguably with the force which has caused this disrepair.

    "The reds, the whites and abused" is a more clear reference to the abuse of citizens of the United States. However, he does not impune the U.S.A., rather he paints America as either the savior or a victim by calling her "crucified." This could mean that the US itself is the abused, and not her citizens. It could be viewed either way.

    "Just let the prophecy unfold, all hell will soon be on its way" could very likely reference the many prophecies that have had attention called to them recently, whether it be the 2012 prophecies of armageddon, DaVinci's encoded panels of armageddon, the Biblical Antichrist, or simply a historical foreshadowing of what happens when a power like the U.S. begins to change direction abruptly, like the Roman Empire, in example.

    "You rat," calls on the force or forces that has caused this shift within the U.S., and tells it to leave, though acknowledging that it or they are searching for an alibi, or a way to pawn of the blame. This again hearkens to the opening stanza regarding rhetorical speak. The lyrics above exclude the line "They never went to Sunday Mass." at the close of the stanza following the first chorus. This could infer an accusation of a lack of morality or justice.

    In the last bridge, he settles on "They want to see us crawl before they walk away." This finally begins to call out 'they' as a driving force behind change, clarifying somewhat now that the U.S. in and of itself is not the party of blame. It takes on a 1984-esque view of powerful figures, not unlike the political views of many during the 60s and 70s, somewhat shifting the argument that the driving force is, in fact, governmental figures.

    While the song itself is more geared toward pointing out the change in America, rather than denouncing figures who have changed it, it does make this final image very clear. However, as previously stated, it does show the United States as a victim to this difference. Bearing in mind the time it was written, particularly who or what it was about is likely deducible.

    Although in the first chorus it does sound as if he says something other than "prophecy," the idea that the word is 'hypocrisy' is wrong. Many people have tried to jump to this conclusion in keeping with the idea that the U.S. has been hypocritical. However, this song is not in reference to this mainstream criticism.

    The song memorializes the former U.S. and awaits the "hell" that will likely correct the shift in American tradition.
    Flag JetsamRookon March 05, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Tishlet-agreed Love it.
    love Caleb!
    Flag Udahoon November 18, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I thought it was:

    "The reds, the whites and abused
    The crucified USA
    As every prophecy unfolds
    All hell is surely on its way"

    Might be wrong though :)
    Flag CJNMon October 26, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:shittt it meant

    the rat and the fly**
    Flag zzoeEon July 30, 2009   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:THE LYRICS ARE WRONG
    someone change it

    Your fault, my pride
    Don't ever need t'apologize
    As your lips unfold
    Shakin' purple from the cold

    You better learn to crawl
    You better learn to crawl
    Before I walk away
    Before I walk away

    You broke, my mouth
    The bloody bits are spittin' out
    Is your grave, unscathed
    The worm is countin' down the day

    He wants to see you crawl
    He wants to see you crawl
    Before I walk away
    Before I walk away

    The reds, the whites and abused
    The crucified USA
    Another prophesy unfolds
    Oh hell its truly on its way

    the rat and the flu
    been searchin' for an alibi,
    as we await the wrath

    They want to see us crawl
    They want to see us crawl
    Before they walk away
    Before they walk away

    The reds, the whites and abused
    The crucified USA
    Another prophesy unfolds
    Oh hell its truly on its way


    - Those are the correct lyrics. I have the guitar book for it :)
    Flag zzoeEon July 30, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i think we are all crucified with the way stuff is going in worldwide economy, governments, etc. good song for the times.
    Flag biggyjonesyon June 22, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:When i hear that part i here,
    "all hell is surely on it's way"

    and i think after:
    "as we await the wrath" it says
    "they never went to sunday mass"

    just what i hear.

    Flag koltjg17on May 31, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The first verse seems he's talking to a woman who he's cowed down to all their relationship and he's saying you better learn to crawl like I have or I'm gone.

    I do feel like everyone else on the other parts...I think he is talking about the world and the U.S. falling down....terrorists wanting to see our great nation "crawl.."

    Flag lemonsofton May 05, 2009   Link

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