With the door closed, shades drawn, the world shrinks
Let's open up those blinds
But someone has to sweep the floor
Pick up her dirty clothes
That job's not mine
Now that everyone's an enemy, my heart sinks
Let's put away those claws
I don't blame them for their curtains-calls
Because I pulled the rope
I want to call them back out for applause

Spring and Thompson on the first of May is horrible
We hid in catacombs
So now I'm sleeping next to mousetraps
In a bed of all our clothes
While I hope that she won't come home
It was easier to lock the doors and kill the phones
Than to show my skin
Because the hardest thing
Is never to repent for someone else
It's letting people in

Well you can come inside
Unlock the door, take off your shoes
But this might take all night
To explain to you I would have walked out those sliding doors
But the timing never seemed right
When your helicopter came and tried to lift me out
I put its rope around my neck
And after that you didn't bother with the airlift or the rescue
You knew just what to expect

That with the door closed, shades drawn
We're dead enough
They don't open from outside
And someone has to speak with their teeth behind their tongue
To never let that right be denied
We can't rely on photographs and visitation time
But I just don't know where to begin
I want to bust down the door
If you're willing to forgive
I've go the keys, I'm letting people in

Don't be scared to speak
Don't speak with someone's tooth
Don't bargain when you're weak
Don't take that sharp abuse
Some patients can't be saved
But that burden's not on you

Don't ever let anyone tell you you deserve that
Don't ever let anyone tell you you deserve that
Don't ever let anyone tell you you deserve that
Don't ever let anyone tell you you deserve that
Don't ever let anyone tell you you deserve that
Don't ever let anyone tell you you deserve that
Don't ever let anyone tell you you deserve that
Don't ever let anyone tell you you deserve that


Lyrics submitted by Freddox, edited by diegoB, anudari

Wake Lyrics as written by Peter Joseph Silberman

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Wake song meanings
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34 Comments

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  • +8
    General Comment

    This is essentially the theme song to my life. I can't believe people haven't commented yet.

    I get chills every time I hear "It was easier to lock the doors and kill the phones than to show my skin, because the hardest thing is never to repent for someone else, it's letting people in."

    HilbertThm90on June 13, 2009   Link
  • +8
    General Comment

    I found this from an interview with Peter Silberman on the song:

    "The first half of that song is the narrator speaking to his friend, kind of atoning, apologizing. The second half, the “don’t be scared to speak” part, is the narrator talking to himself and talking to anyone."

    Interesting stuff.

    Love this song. So beautiful and heart-breaking.

    BoyNamedTimon December 30, 2009   Link
  • +7
    General Comment

    "Some patients can't be saved, but that burden's not on you.

    Don't ever let anyone tell you you deserve that."

    It's as if he's saying "Despite our best efforts, you're going to die. Our hours will be meaningless, but that isn't your fault."

    And holy fuck I am crying like a three year old right now.

    arrstaron December 17, 2009   Link
  • +7
    General Comment

    Thank you for this song being 8 minutes long.

    BryanGilliganon July 15, 2010   Link
  • +6
    General Comment

    This song literally makes me weak. FUCK THIS ALBUM RULES

    R-Dot-Yungon September 25, 2009   Link
  • +5
    Memory

    This is one of the most powerful songs I have ever heard. I really discovered it this week, and it makes me cry every time I hear it. Let me tell you a little bit about why.

    When I was a kid, my aunt Nancy was my favorite person in the world: I idolized her. Her smile warmed up the room, her laugh was infectious, and she was loved by everyone. She was truly a rare and remarkably beautiful human being.

    Then, suddenly it seemed, she became very ill with cancer. Even throughout her vicious battle with cancer, she remained positive and wonderful. I remember the last time I saw her alive: I was 8 years old, and she was surrounded by machines in her bedroom at home. They knew that she couldn't win in the end, and she wanted to be at home with my uncle while she still could.

    When the ambulance was leaving with her body, I am told that my uncle chased it down the street, until he collapsed sobbing halfway down the street.

    In the year or so following her death, he spent a lot of time with me. He didn't want to talk about it, and he needed a friend who wouldn't make him. It turns out that doing coloring books with a kid was easier than confronting the death head on.

    I listen to this song, I see him chasing that ambulance. I cry because I feel like I understand his side of things better through this song. The numbness, the isolation, and that irreplaceably wonderful person that is suddenly missing... it's a story to big for words alone.

    Well done, Antlers. This song has encapsulated one of the most trying aspects of being human: our mortality.

    nebulouscwon June 09, 2012   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    This song brings me back to this past summer, when a "friend" used me as an emotional landfill. He dumped all of his problems on me, and degraded me for months, and brought me so low.

    And I feel like this song is about someone who feels prisoner to another, which is how I felt. This friend made me feel like I had to help him with his problems, even if my sanity took a backseat. And I finally realized that he was using me, and I didn't deserve that.

    "Some patients can't be saved, but that burden's not on you. Don't ever let anyone tell you you deserve that." That holds so much weight with me. This song is scary accurate with my experience.

    "because the hardest thing is to not repent for someone else."

    This song is flawless.

    Shyeahhhmanon December 26, 2009   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Every time this song gets to the last few lines, I start crying. I tried to help someone, but loving them with my whole heart wasn't enough to save them. I failed everyone. And as stupid as this might sound, the only time I feel really forgiven is listening to this song.

    ehaton July 29, 2009   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    beautiful song, the lyrics are really heavy

    "When your helicopter came and tried to lift me out, I put its rope around my neck."

    geeze, and the ending is just wonderful

    jareemskion August 08, 2009   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    last line makes me cry every damn time

    AllChokedUpon January 03, 2010   Link

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