Screaming Trees – Witness

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It's taken everything
Everything I got and it's hung me on the line
Water rising up over me
And I think I'm gonna die
Think I'm gonna die

I told a lie
That's what I said
I told the one you know I'll always keep
Whose God is mine (3x's)
Whose God is
The one with the witness

Shine your lonely light on me
I'll be there to hold the mirror
I can take you down with me
Show you lonely, lonely, lonely

Death wastes no time it seems
And it's hung me on the line
Hung me on the line
Hard rain falling all over me
And I think I'm gonna die
Think I'm gonna die

I told a lie
That's what I said
I told the one you know I'll always keep
Whose God is mine (3x's)
Whose God is
The one with the witness
Shine

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Lyrics submitted by black_cow_of_death

Track duration: 03:38

"Witness" as written by Conner/lanegan/conner

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Witness song meanings
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10 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment:Ok, but who is it that he can take down with him? I believe he was talking to someone, or to people in general. The God is not the witness, he kept asking for a God with a witness. Is there anyone who saw any God? He is probably scared of death that came so close with the drugs and now he is asking for God, who exists. It may be either the person, or the God, he could take down with him, where he is so lonely.
    Flag orechovaon February 05, 2012   Link
  • +2
    My Interpretation:"Whose God Is Mine?
    The One With The Witness"

    Possibly because this is my own feeling as well, but this seems to mean, to me at least, that he cannot believe in any God or other deity because there is no proof of them (hence the Witness).
    Flag clydeargyleon November 27, 2008   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:Well, after reading the lyrics and the comments I would have to agree that it is about both his ADDICTION and RELIGION.

    His addiction has made him(Mark) this person while decryptor has an interesting point about the "lonely light". It sounds like he is confused and in need of help.
    Flag dbieon12on March 06, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I think their is a religious aspect but i think it's about either questioning it, or it's about losing faith because a lot of bad things are happening, thats why he reffers to death and pain,

    i think the lonely light refers to the cartoon light thing that represents god, saying that if someone would just give a sign it would make it easier to believe
    Flag decryptoron July 29, 2007   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:I believe that he's talking about heroin, possibly with God as being a 'witness'. He was a hopeless heroin addict when this was written. He's definitely Catholic or Christian, but Mark Lanegan is no choir boy. With that in mind, read the lyrics again. 'It's taken everything I got and it's hung me on the line"....at one point he sold everything he owned and was basically living on the street because his addiction was about as bad as Layne Staley's. I believe that he may or may not have sold his only guitar. I'm actually surprised he made it back. Almost no one ever does. I believe he was arrested in the late 90's for a profoundly insane variety of drugs in his possession - crack and heroin, if I'm not mistaken. That event alone probably saved his life. If he had continued unchecked, he would most likely be dead already. Yes, Mark Lanegan has certainly prayed for salvation. A crack and heroin addiction will bring you to your knees. With all that said, yes, the song has a killer urgency to it. Like you're in a runaway train or something and can only hang on. The Screaming Trees were so diverse, creative, spiritual, mournful and psychedelic...one of the greatest bands of all time.
    Flag juggernatrixon June 27, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Mark is an undeniably Christian musician,

    by refering to the "Lonely light" he s refering to the Christian belief of there being one true God, the only God, so by being the only one of his kind, he is lonely,

    Wishing to be illuminated with the light of the one true god,
    Flag N0 C0DE 79on January 11, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:it sounds like he feels like he has to choose a god before he dies or he'll have eternal darkness/be in hell. I'm not religous but I know mark is, so that's why I'd say it doesn't have a much deeper meaning. All though, I don't have it completely right, because I haven't figured out what the lonely stanza is about. wait, now I have a theory.. he was so lonely he wanted to commit suicide (also goes along with water over his head) but he wanted to find a god first to make sure he went somewhere after death... just a thought
    Flag aptitudeon October 05, 2006   Link
  • -2
    General Comment:First off i have too wonder why they are so under rated second off you are all clearly right
    Flag lyric geniuson September 27, 2006   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:I bought dust today after hearing none of their music what so ever and boy was i pleased, this songs kiks ass and jus makes u jump around. I agree with xdvr, its about religion and what it does to people.
    Flag longliveconradon March 25, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Can't believe no-ones commented on this?
    This rocks mightily and demands to be played loud while jumping around. It's the easy-flex elasticated beat that gets me I think.
    I think it's about questioning religion and god etc and feeling and how everyone dies alone.
    Flag xdvron June 01, 2005   Link

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