Promises by The Cranberries Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Vows of Betrayal
Lyrics
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
You’d better believe I’m coming
You’d better believe what I say
You’d better hold on to your promises, because
You bet you’ll get what you deserve
She’s going to leave him over
She’s going take her love away
So much for your eternal vows
Well it does not matter anyway
Why can’t you stay
Here awhile
Stay here awhile
Stay with me
Oh, oh, oh
All the promises we made (promises we made)
All the meaningless and empty words I prayed
Prayed, prayed
Oh, oh, oh
All the promises we broke (promises we broke)
All the meaningless and empty words I spoke
Spoke, spoke
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
What of all the things that you taught me
What of all the things that you’d say
What of all your prophetic preaching
You’re just throwing it all away
Maybe we should burn the house down
Have ourselves another fight
Leave the cobwebs in the closet
‘Cause tearing them out is just not right
Why can’t you stay here awhile
Stay here awhile
Stay with me
Oh, oh, oh
All the promises we made (promises we made)
All the meaningless and empty words I prayed
Prayed, prayed
Oh, oh, oh
All the promises we broke (promises we broke)
All the meaningless and empty words I spoke
Spoke, spoke
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh
All the promises we made (promises we made)
All the meaningless and empty words I prayed
Prayed, prayed
Oh, oh, oh
All the promises we broke (promises we broke)
All the meaningless and empty words I spoke
Spoke, spoke
Oh eh, oh eh, oh eh, oh eh, oh eh
Hey hey
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Do-do-do
Delving into the profound and startling core of The Cranberries’ ‘Promises,’ a track that portrays more than just a frayed love story, it beholds a mirror to the disintegrating values of fidelity and atonement in modern society. Frontwoman Dolores O’Riordan’s poignant vocals, set against the backdrop of the band’s trademark electrifying instrumentals, create a narrative that is as compelling as it is disheartening.
As potent today as it was upon its release, ‘Promises’ speaks to the breaking of sacred vows that bind human relations. It’s a tale of disillusionment and the quest for retribution embedded within the commonplace and often superficial nature of broken oaths. Through a blend of raw emotion and allegorical lyrics, the song examines the inherent complexity of human promises and the hefty price of their collapse.
Dissecting Betrayal: The Universal Folly of Broken Vows
The track kicks off with a resounding notice of impending repercussion. Listeners are swiftly plunged into a chaotic world where vows carry no weight. The Cranberries echo a chilling truth through revealing lyrics – you will inevitably ‘get what you deserve.’ This serves as a stark commentary on the inherent karma within human interactions, hinting at the idea that promises are not insubstantial but rather seeds that grow into consequences.
‘Promises’ doesn’t just protest against an individual’s broken words; rather, it underscores a collective societal failure to honor commitments. This lays bare a pervasive condition where trust is undermined, and promises become mere ephemeral words escaping lips without the binding gravity they ought to possess.
The Hidden Meaning: A Canvas of Societal Critique
There’s more than just personal grievance woven into the tapestry of ‘Promises.’ The Cranberries utilize the intimate setting of faltering domesticity to draw attention to the broader implications of unkept words. The anthem transcends the personal to criticize the hollow proclamations made by figures of authority – be it within family units, romantic relationships, or indeed, the bold claims of politicians and leaders.
What O’Riordan terms as ‘meaningless and empty’ speeches reflect a cynical view of the vows made with warrant and grandeur, only to crumble under the slightest strain. Whether it’s the fiery threat of ‘burn the house down’ or the refusal to cleanse ‘the cobwebs in the closet,’ the song vividly paints the stubborn clinginess of past promises and their haunting remnants.
The Anthemic Chorus: Chanting the Mantras of Regret
The song’s chorus is likely the most evocative and memorable aspect, turning the simple ‘oh, oh, oh’ into a ghostly dirge for every promise facilely made but egregiously shattered. The circular repetition mirrors the cyclical nature of such promises and the unending echo of regret they leave within their wake.
It’s not just the words that are empty here, but the space between them, filled with echoing laments that serve as reminders of the depth of deceit and the indelible scars of insincerity. This makes the refrain itself a compelling anthem for the fallen ideals and expectations rooted in earnest promises.
The Unforgettable Lines: A Requiem for Truth
Amid the driving guitar riffs and haunting vocals are lines that cut to the quick. Phrases like ‘all the promises we made, all the meaningless and empty words I prayed’ expose the fragile core of idealism that often underpins our deepest commitments. The gentle lilt of the word ‘prayed’ implies a desperation, a hope, an almost religious belief in the sanctity of words exchanged.
What the lyrics suggest is that often, promises are not merely broken; they are desecrated, treated with such casual neglect that one might grieve for the vanishing sincerity in human engagements. These lines are a lamentation for truth in an age of casual mendacities, and it resonates with a sobering clarity.
The Price of Promises: Weighing the Worth of Words
In the grander scheme of ‘Promises,’ the true cost is pinioned not on the breach but on the cavalier array around an oath’s very sanctity. The pergola of the song is structured with the ironic gratitude towards the falsehoods, for they lead to a revelation of true intentions and the liberating, albeit painful, emancipation from credulity.
Through O’Riordan’s impassioned delivery, ‘Promises’ demands a reassessment of the weight we assign our words, and the consequences borne when that weight is found wanting. Amidst the danceable beat and infectious chorus, a sobering truth is laid bare – if a promise is thin air, its breaking surely leaves us breathless.
