Amethyst

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of someone retreating into a deep, internal space, symbolized by an "amethyst mine." This retreat seems to be a defense mechanism against external pressures and harsh words, described as things that "reach and strain to get their way." The narrator observes this self-imposed isolation, noting how the vibrant "color bleeds and fades to white," suggesting a loss of vitality or a dulling of a once "violent mind" – perhaps a mind full of passion or intensity that has been suppressed. The central tension lies in the contrast between the subject's claimed invulnerability and their actual behavior. They "claim they can't touch you," yet simultaneously "choose to take the edge of the room," indicating a subtle but persistent avoidance. This suggests a fear of engagement, a desire to remain unseen even while asserting a form of strength. The lyrics imply that this internal conflict, this choice between different ways of being, is a difficult and perhaps painful aspect of their experience. The most striking craft element is the extended metaphor of the "amethyst mine." Amethyst, known for its deep purple hue, is here associated with a "violent mind" that fades. The mine itself becomes a place of hiding, where the vibrant color of the gem, and by extension the person's inner self, is diminished. The phrase "time, it pulls out your eyes" is a powerful, almost violent image, suggesting that the passage of time forces difficult choices and a loss of clear vision, making one choose "between two lives."