Ethel Cain Lyrics, Meaning & Videos

(You'd do well to say yes to me) Suffer does the wolf, crawling to theePromising a big fire, any fireSaying I'm the one, he's gonna take meI'm on fire, I'm on fire, I'm on fireSuffering is nigh, drawing to meCalling me the one, I'm the white lightBeautiful, finite

Ptolemaea
Ethel Cain Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴I followed you in
I was with you there
I invited you in
Twice, I did
You love blood too much
But not like I do
Not like I do
Heard you, saw you, felt you, gave you
Need you, love you, love you, love you
Heard you, saw you, felt you, gave you
Need you, love you, love you, love you
Love you, saw you, love you, gave you
Love you, love you, love you, love you
Love you, saw you, felt you, love you
Love you, love you, love you, love you
Love you, love you, love you, love you
Love you, love you, love you, love you

(You'd do well to say yes to me)

Suffer does the wolf, crawling to thee
Promising a big fire, any fire
Saying I'm the one, he's gonna take me
I'm on fire, I'm on fire, I'm on fire
Suffering is nigh, drawing to me
Calling me the one, I'm the white light
Beautiful, finite

Even the iron still fears the rot
Hiding from something I cannot stop
Walking on shadows, I can't lead him back
Buckled on the floor when night comes along
Daddy's left and mama won't come home

You poor thing
Sweet, mourning lamb
There's nothing you can do
It's already been done

What fear a man like you brings upon (show me your face)
A woman like me
Please don't look at me
I can see it in your eyes
He keeps looking at me
Tell me, what have you done?
Stop, stop, stop, make it stop, stop
Make it stop (make it stop)
Make it stop, I've had enough
Stop, stop, stop, stop
Stop, stop, stop, stop

I am the face of love's rage
I am the face of love's rage

Blessed be the Daughters of Cain
Bound to suffering eternal through the sins of their fathers
Committed long before their conception
Blessed be their whore mothers
Tired and angry waiting with bated breath
In a ferry that will never move again
Blessed be the children, each and every one come to know their god
Through some senseless act of violence
Blessed be you, girl
Promised to me by a man
Who can only feel hatred and contempt towards you
I am no good nor evil, simply I am
And I have come to take what is mine
I was there in the dark when you spilled your first blood
I am here now as you run from me still

Run then, child
You can't hide from me forever


Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ethel Cain's song Ptolemaea seemingly describe a person who has followed and invited someone into their life, likely a romantic partner. The repetition of "heard you, saw you, felt you, gave you" suggests an intense connection between the two people, perhaps even bordering on obsession. The line "you love blood too much, but not like I do" adds an unsettling tone and hints at potential violent tendencies. The repetition of "love you" at the end could be interpreted as a desperate plea for affection and validation from the other person.


Overall, the lyrics appear to capture the complex emotions and dynamics that can exist in a passionate, yet potentially dangerous, relationship. The haunting vocals and sparse instrumentation of the song only add to the eerie atmosphere.


Line by Line Meaning

I followed you in
I pursued you relentlessly until I was able to be near you.


I was with you there
I was happy to be wherever you were, regardless of the circumstances.


I invited you in
I allowed you access to my innermost thoughts and feelings.


Twice, I did
Not only once, but on two separate occasions did I reveal my true self to you.


You love blood too much
I see that you are drawn to violence and aggression, but I understand it on a deeper level than you do.


But not like I do
My connection to the dark side of life goes beyond what you are capable of comprehending.


Heard you, saw you, felt you, gave you
I have paid close attention to you in every possible way, and have given you all that I am capable of giving.


Need you, love you, love you, love you
I depend on you for my own sense of purpose, and love you deeply and unconditionally despite your flaws.


Heard you, saw you, felt you, gave you
I am constantly attuned to your presence and have given you everything I have to offer.


Need you, love you, love you, love you
I feel a desperate need for your acceptance and affection, and love you unconditionally no matter what.


Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Hayden Silas Anhedonia, Matthew Tomasi

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

ncG1vNJzZmirn6O2pLTIrapnm5%2BifLe1w56maH2knbKtq6KaoKdngKm8rbHMmpya

 Share!