The Unforgiven Lyrics
Metallica
Lyrics
New blood joins this earth
And quickly he's subdued
Through constant pained disgrace
The young boy learns their rules
With time the child draws in
This whipping boy done wrong
Deprived of all his thoughts
The young man struggles on and on he's known
A vow unto his own
That never from this day
His will they'll take away
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never be
Never see
Won't see what might have been
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free
Never me
So I dub the unforgiven
They dedicate their lives
To running all of his
He tries to please them all
This bitter man he is
Throughout his life the same
He's battled constantly
This fight he cannot win
A tired man they see no longer cares
The old man then prepares
To die regretfully
That old man here is me
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never be
Never see
Won't see what might have been
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free
Never me
So I dub the unforgiven
Solo
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never be
Never see
Won't see what might have been
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free
Never me
So I dub the unforgiven
Never free
Never me
So I dub the unforgiven
You labeled me
I'll label you
So I dub the unforgiven
Never free
Never me
So I dub the unforgiven
You labeled me
I'll label you
So I dub the unforgiven
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee unforgiven...
Song & Lyrics Facts
Metallica's "The Unforgiven" was released on August 12, 1991 as the second single from their self-titled fifth studio album. The song was written by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich and is one of Metallica's most popular songs.
It features a slow, melancholic introduction that builds into an epic guitar solo before transitioning to a softer bridge section. The lyrics explore themes of guilt, regret, and redemption. They tell the story of a man who is unable to escape his past mistakes and sins, despite trying to do so. The band has performed the song live numerous times and it remains one of their signature tracks.