Serpents by Sharon Van Etten Lyrics Meaning – The Complex Journey Through Emotional Tumult
Lyrics
Sitting in the back of the room
With a bowl you had owned
But they didn’t know
Close in on my black eye
I feel safe at times
Certain emblems
Tell me it’s time
Serpents in my mind
Looking for your crimes
Everything changes
I don’t want mine to this time
You enjoy sucking on dreams
So I will fall asleep with someone other than you
I had a thought you would take me seriously
And listen on
Serpents in my mind
I am searching for your crimes
Everything changes
In time
You’ll stay frozen in time
Collaging girls
Controlling minds
You hold the mirror well
To everybody else
Serpents in my mind
Trying to forgive your crimes
Everyone changes in time
I hope he changes this time
Sharon Van Etten weaves a complex, soul-stirring narrative in her song ‘Serpents.’ With her poignant lyrics and haunting melody, Van Etten invites her listeners into a realm of introspective agony and the search for redemption. The song’s title alone evokes imagery of deception and danger, hinting at the emotional voyage the listener is about to embark upon.
Beyond the surface of its stirring chords and Van Etten’s evocative voice, ‘Serpents’ offers a labyrinth of metaphor and personal struggle. The track has been dissected and analyzed by fans and critics alike, each seeking to unravel the layers of meaning entwined within its verses.
Emotional Warfare: Decoding The Battle Within
At first listen, ‘Serpents’ transports us into a backroom narrative—a space of introspection shadowed by a bruised existence. The ‘bowl you had owned’ speaks to a shared history, a totem of past intimacy now laden with the weight of betrayal. It is within this private domain where the battle lines are drawn, the serpents representing internal and external conflicts gnawing at the psyche.
The ‘black eye’ is an emblem of harm, both physical and emotional, and while it signifies trauma, it also serves as a mark of resilience. Van Etten’s mention of feeling ‘safe at times’ juxtaposes the intermittent solace found amidst chaos with the persistent quest for tranquility—an ongoing struggle between vulnerability and strength.
The Search for Justice in Melody
‘Looking for your crimes’ conveys a sense of probing, an investigative deep-dive into both personal fault and the misdeeds of another. This relentless quest underscores the song’s narrative drive—as Van Etten’s character yearns for answers, for resolution, the lyrics themselves become an incantation for clarity and closure.
The repetitive nature of this line throughout the song emphasizes that the search is continuous, and the concept of change emerges as a recurring theme. Van Etten is grappling with the concept of transformation—the desire for others to evolve and the fear of her own change being anchored in pain.
The Poisonous Allure of Ambition
In a particularly gripping line, Van Etten accuses someone of ‘sucking on dreams,’ a vivid portrayal of exploitation and the draining of hope and passion. This metaphor extends beyond the individual experience, tapping into a universal understanding of power dynamics and emotional manipulation.
The decision to ‘fall asleep with someone other than you’ serves as an act of defiance and self-preservation. It is not just a literal turn away from the antagonistic ‘you,’ but also a symbolic move toward autonomy and the desire to dream uninhibited by the serpents of doubt and control.
Frozen in Time: The Immobility of the Tormentor
‘You’ll stay frozen in time, collaging girls, controlling minds’—this line is a powerful commentary on the objectification and puppeteering exerted by the antagonist. There’s a deliberate coldness to the imagery of someone frozen, stuck in a loop of harmful behaviors while those around them move forward, seek growth, and evolve.
This notion of immobility extends to the listener, as Van Etten forces us to consider where we might be paralyzed in our own lives. The song acts as a catalyst, prompting an internal dialogue about the ways we allow ourselves to be manipulated, and whether we are clinging to destructive patterns.
‘Serpents’ and the Quest for Forgiveness
The repeated line ‘Trying to forgive your crimes’ carries the weight of transformation through forgiveness. As serpents often symbolize betrayal and even evil in many mythologies, Van Etten’s journey towards forgiving these ‘crimes’ signifies a powerful internal battle. This line is the crux of the song’s hidden meaning—it’s about the strength and struggle involved in the act of letting go.
Yet, the ‘hope he changes this time’ expresses a fragile optimism, a cornerstone of the human experience. It is a reflection of our innate tendency to hope against hope that those who’ve wronged us will change, and an acknowledgment of the complexity of human relationships and the capacity for personal growth.
