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Tool - The Patient
Artists > Tool > The Patient
Submitted by Everlong on November 24, 2001
Oh . . .
Oh . . .
Oh . . .
Oh . . .
Oh . . .
Oh . . .
A groan of tedium escapes me, startling the fearful, is this a
Test? It has to be, otherwise I can't go on
Draining patience, drain vitality, this paranoid, paralyzed vampire act's a little
Old
But I'm still right here, givin' blood, keepin' faith and I'm still right here
But I'm still right here, givin' blood, keepin' faith and I'm still right here
Wait it out
Gonna wait it out
Gonna wait it out (Be patient)
If there were no rewards to reap
No loving embrace to see me through
This tedious path I've chosen here
I certainly would've walked away
By now
Gonna wait it out
If there were no desire to heal
The damaged and broken met along
This tedious path I've chosen here
I certainly would've walked away
By now
And I still may
And I still may
Be patient
Be patient
Be patient
Must keep reminding myself of this
I must keep reminding myself of this
I must keep reminding myself of this
I must keep reminding myself of this
If there were no rewards to reap (I must keep reminding myself of this)
No loving embrace to see me through (I must keep reminding myself of this)
This tedious path I've chosen here (I must keep reminding myself of this)
I certainly would've walked away (I must keep reminding myself of this)
By now
And I still may
And I still may
And I still may
And I. . . .
Gonna wait it out
Gonna wait it out
Wait it out
Gonna wait it out
1 2 3 4 Next
by schism86 on 12-07-2001 @ 03:59:43 AM
At the Sydney show in july this year, before they played this, Maynard said something like this song is about the vampires that you come across in your life, who try to get you down. Hence the use of "giving blood" in the lyrics. It could be to do with the record companies and the industry.
by Spiralout on 01-07-2002 @ 06:31:26 PM
for me this song is about keeping faith, that you are on the right track and one day youll reach to the point of parabol/parabola. its about a special moment when u r as down as ever, but you have felt like this a million times before, and u are tired of still giving blood, givng your everything and getting nothing in return. and u remind yourself that u may allways walk away wich means killing yourself. you'll allways have that option and its the one thing you have, the only thing. and cuz the rewards are so tempting (parabol/parabola) then u remind yourself that you have got to be patient, you have to wait it out.
by Spiralout on 01-07-2002 @ 06:32:57 PM
for me this song is about keeping faith, that you are on the right track and one day youll reach to the point of parabol/parabola. its about a special moment when u r as down as ever, but you have felt like this a million times before, and u are tired of still giving blood, givng your everything and getting nothing in return. and u remind yourself that u may allways walk away wich means killing yourself. you'll allways have that option and its the one thing you have, the only thing. and cuz the rewards are so tempting (parabol/parabola) then u remind yourself that you have got to be patient, you have to wait it out.
by JulieMarlene on 01-08-2002 @ 11:49:24 PM
Great song.
by hedonbass on 01-19-2002 @ 07:32:14 AM
I like the ideas everyone. But i have another view of this song. It seems to me that Maynard always uses metaphors in his songs to allow everyone to relate them to thier lives. In my case this song is about being close to someone but they aren't ready to go further. Bordem has set in "teduim" because the narrorator wants to go beyond where they are. But the other person is afraid, and is simply using that as an excuse "paranoid, paralyzed vampire." He keeps reminding himself that there is a reason he is still here, the love and possibility of moving further "if there were no reward..." if it wasnt for that he would have surely moved on to someone else, and he still may, regretfully.
by joel73 on 01-26-2002 @ 12:22:09 AM
To me this song represents a man losing his faith. This man is in church among the fearful and his sigh, or sign of boredom, scares the followers around him. This man begins to second guess the sacrifices he's made because of his religion and is wondering whether it all been worth it or if he should just walk away from it all(the church.) It's a difficult decision he's about to make. Should he risk losing everything that his religion has promised him and simply walk away or should he continue to be patient.
by Harry Manback on 02-07-2002 @ 03:16:25 PM
I'm sure that this song is sbout Maynard carrying on in Tool and questioning about whether he should stay or not. At first I thought it was about how people are always pressurrising Tool to release an album quickly "Is this a test". But then I realised it wasn't. The "If there were no rewards to reap" etc. Would be that if he had no other reason to carry on but the fans, the album sales etc, that he would leave Tool
by Kade on 02-22-2002 @ 12:59:19 PM
Hey Harry Manback, with all due respect, Maynard's lyrics are too damn profound, and written with a lot of passion, for him to be writing them for just the 'album sales, or the fans'. Maynard loves singing, and loves writing. That's why he does it. I'm too tired to write my opinion of this song... Maybe later.
by Harry Manback on 02-26-2002 @ 09:58:46 AM
You know, maybe Maynard is human after all. If Tool didn't sell records, then they would be dropped by their record label. Okay then, if you think you know it all, man, write what you think! I dare you!
by masterosok on 03-09-2002 @ 06:21:11 PM
I think it has little to do with record sells or leaving Tool... usually Maynards songs relate to past experience or thoughts that hes had... Im sure there is a meaning to the song but I dont think we can really understand the "true" meaning of most of Tools songs becaue they are only relative to what Maynard him self has seen or experienced.. Trying to guesstimate what Maynard is really trying to say it hard and he rarely just blantantly comes out and says what his song meanings are... i think he likes people to take the song for what they see it as... And schism86... dont take Maynards song interpertations from shows to literal, he is usually joking around with what he says a song means... I know at a show he said that Eulogy was about Elvis.. of course this was only cause we were in Memphis... Elvis's birthplace!! LOL.. I thought it was funny! (yes I know Elvis does suck!)
by Harry Manback on 03-12-2002 @ 11:30:16 AM
i do believe that this forum is for what WE think songs mean. and the whole record sales thing is what i think this song is about. It is a beautiful song and Maynard is god but I don't think we should feel guilty for wanting money. After all without money we can't buy food and without food we can't live!
by paga105 on 04-10-2002 @ 05:56:30 AM
Who really cares what Tool do any way. They are a good band and could make a lot more money if they wanted to. I think theyve prooved they can make it big by actually being good rather than being marketed like every other band in the world.
by hell_i_call_my_head on 04-16-2002 @ 10:12:05 PM
well parabol or parabola...i take it to mean a state of nirvana...now for all the little wannabees out there i dont mean the band...im ean the state of enlightenment
by hell_i_call_my_head on 04-16-2002 @ 10:12:07 PM
well parabol or parabola...i take it to mean a state of nirvana...now for all the little wannabees out there i dont mean the band...im mean the state of enlightenment
by Harry Manback on 04-17-2002 @ 11:20:43 AM
Well, since my theory was a little vague, I thought I'd clarify it a bit more.
"Is this a test? It has to be, Otherwise I can't go on." - Is it some kind of exam that Tool have to put out another album quickly.
"This paranoid, paralyzed vampire act's a little old." - Maynard sees the record industry as a vampire sucking his life from him.
"But I'm still right here. Giving blood, keeping faith. And I'm still right here." - Even though Maynard is tired of the industry, he still carries on making records cos that's what he loves doing.
"If there were no rewards to reap, No loving embrace to see me through, This tedious path I've chosen here, I certainly would've walked away by now." - If Maynard didn't get anything for making music, be it money or loyal fans, he would have quit making music straight away.
"I must keep reminding myself of this." - He must remind himself of reasons why he does what he does. Scream at me, send me hate mail, pilage my house. Do whatever, but this is my theory of this song and it's my favourite one from Lateralus. I can tell I'm gonna be umpopular after this!
by joshthack on 04-19-2002 @ 10:00:12 PM
I think you can learn the most from this song by looking at the very tip of it. "Be patient," whether it be in life, with kids, with school, with other people, whatever. It's just important that you don't rush through something, be patient and take time to fully understand the situation.
I just want to add that Harry Manback is pissing me off by constantly refering to Maynard as god.
by Harry Manback on 04-24-2002 @ 09:25:08 AM
Well what do you suggest Maynard is, joshthack? I don't literally worship him but he is so fantastic at writing songs he deserves to be a demi-god ok?
by joshthack on 04-25-2002 @ 02:15:51 AM
I'm suggesting that he is a human being, just like you or I, who is very in touch with the seen and unseen reality of life. Either that or he's just wasted on drugs all the time, but I think that the music is to sophisticated for that possibility.
by Harry Manback on 04-25-2002 @ 10:29:02 AM
I apologise for just picking out Maynard when Adam, Justin and Danny are all fabulous musicians. Every song showcases their individual talent
by tool.freak.211 on 05-04-2002 @ 10:25:16 PM
HarryManback, I think your description makes a lot of sense, the meanings you said really went well with the lyrics. Ive tried to figure the song out many times and though it probably goes deeper than that I agree with you. :)
by bizarre on 05-07-2002 @ 05:27:45 AM
Dude, didn't you know? Maynard doesn't ever have to worry about selling records again. He has two of the most awesome rock bands ever, Tool and A Perfect Circle. He said that, oddly enough, A Perfect Circle has become all about the music, because Tool will sell records no matter what. So that is way too shallow of an interpretation, whether or not he will sell records.
by Beowulf_Xtreme on 05-07-2002 @ 11:17:44 PM
You have to keep faith in whatever you keep faith in and remember not to abandon hope no matter how dim the future sings. Always remember to be patient. Patience kills doubt with time.
by Beowulf_Xtreme on 05-08-2002 @ 01:51:21 AM
No matter how deep the future seems. Sorry.
by jp1092002 on 05-08-2002 @ 05:41:52 PM
I think this song is Maynard's interpretation of those that are blinded by religious beliefs that hinder them from their true potential. They are so engrossed in following protocol that they forget that they are doing themselves more harm. He also shows the confusion that people may have that are knee deep in religion. They are being tried and tested and for what?
by Beowulf_Xtreme on 05-09-2002 @ 02:43:31 AM
It could mean that but to me it seems more like, his doubts is what is hindering him and the only wait to succeed IS to have faith. But that's just me, of course. It can mean different things to different people.
Submitted by Everlong on November 24, 2001
Oh . . .
Oh . . .
Oh . . .
Oh . . .
Oh . . .
Oh . . .
A groan of tedium escapes me, startling the fearful, is this a
Test? It has to be, otherwise I can't go on
Draining patience, drain vitality, this paranoid, paralyzed vampire act's a little
Old
But I'm still right here, givin' blood, keepin' faith and I'm still right here
But I'm still right here, givin' blood, keepin' faith and I'm still right here
Wait it out
Gonna wait it out
Gonna wait it out (Be patient)
If there were no rewards to reap
No loving embrace to see me through
This tedious path I've chosen here
I certainly would've walked away
By now
Gonna wait it out
If there were no desire to heal
The damaged and broken met along
This tedious path I've chosen here
I certainly would've walked away
By now
And I still may
And I still may
Be patient
Be patient
Be patient
Must keep reminding myself of this
I must keep reminding myself of this
I must keep reminding myself of this
I must keep reminding myself of this
If there were no rewards to reap (I must keep reminding myself of this)
No loving embrace to see me through (I must keep reminding myself of this)
This tedious path I've chosen here (I must keep reminding myself of this)
I certainly would've walked away (I must keep reminding myself of this)
By now
And I still may
And I still may
And I still may
And I. . . .
Gonna wait it out
Gonna wait it out
Wait it out
Gonna wait it out
1 2 3 4 Next
by schism86 on 12-07-2001 @ 03:59:43 AM
At the Sydney show in july this year, before they played this, Maynard said something like this song is about the vampires that you come across in your life, who try to get you down. Hence the use of "giving blood" in the lyrics. It could be to do with the record companies and the industry.
by Spiralout on 01-07-2002 @ 06:31:26 PM
for me this song is about keeping faith, that you are on the right track and one day youll reach to the point of parabol/parabola. its about a special moment when u r as down as ever, but you have felt like this a million times before, and u are tired of still giving blood, givng your everything and getting nothing in return. and u remind yourself that u may allways walk away wich means killing yourself. you'll allways have that option and its the one thing you have, the only thing. and cuz the rewards are so tempting (parabol/parabola) then u remind yourself that you have got to be patient, you have to wait it out.
by Spiralout on 01-07-2002 @ 06:32:57 PM
for me this song is about keeping faith, that you are on the right track and one day youll reach to the point of parabol/parabola. its about a special moment when u r as down as ever, but you have felt like this a million times before, and u are tired of still giving blood, givng your everything and getting nothing in return. and u remind yourself that u may allways walk away wich means killing yourself. you'll allways have that option and its the one thing you have, the only thing. and cuz the rewards are so tempting (parabol/parabola) then u remind yourself that you have got to be patient, you have to wait it out.
by JulieMarlene on 01-08-2002 @ 11:49:24 PM
Great song.
by hedonbass on 01-19-2002 @ 07:32:14 AM
I like the ideas everyone. But i have another view of this song. It seems to me that Maynard always uses metaphors in his songs to allow everyone to relate them to thier lives. In my case this song is about being close to someone but they aren't ready to go further. Bordem has set in "teduim" because the narrorator wants to go beyond where they are. But the other person is afraid, and is simply using that as an excuse "paranoid, paralyzed vampire." He keeps reminding himself that there is a reason he is still here, the love and possibility of moving further "if there were no reward..." if it wasnt for that he would have surely moved on to someone else, and he still may, regretfully.
by joel73 on 01-26-2002 @ 12:22:09 AM
To me this song represents a man losing his faith. This man is in church among the fearful and his sigh, or sign of boredom, scares the followers around him. This man begins to second guess the sacrifices he's made because of his religion and is wondering whether it all been worth it or if he should just walk away from it all(the church.) It's a difficult decision he's about to make. Should he risk losing everything that his religion has promised him and simply walk away or should he continue to be patient.
by Harry Manback on 02-07-2002 @ 03:16:25 PM
I'm sure that this song is sbout Maynard carrying on in Tool and questioning about whether he should stay or not. At first I thought it was about how people are always pressurrising Tool to release an album quickly "Is this a test". But then I realised it wasn't. The "If there were no rewards to reap" etc. Would be that if he had no other reason to carry on but the fans, the album sales etc, that he would leave Tool
by Kade on 02-22-2002 @ 12:59:19 PM
Hey Harry Manback, with all due respect, Maynard's lyrics are too damn profound, and written with a lot of passion, for him to be writing them for just the 'album sales, or the fans'. Maynard loves singing, and loves writing. That's why he does it. I'm too tired to write my opinion of this song... Maybe later.
by Harry Manback on 02-26-2002 @ 09:58:46 AM
You know, maybe Maynard is human after all. If Tool didn't sell records, then they would be dropped by their record label. Okay then, if you think you know it all, man, write what you think! I dare you!
by masterosok on 03-09-2002 @ 06:21:11 PM
I think it has little to do with record sells or leaving Tool... usually Maynards songs relate to past experience or thoughts that hes had... Im sure there is a meaning to the song but I dont think we can really understand the "true" meaning of most of Tools songs becaue they are only relative to what Maynard him self has seen or experienced.. Trying to guesstimate what Maynard is really trying to say it hard and he rarely just blantantly comes out and says what his song meanings are... i think he likes people to take the song for what they see it as... And schism86... dont take Maynards song interpertations from shows to literal, he is usually joking around with what he says a song means... I know at a show he said that Eulogy was about Elvis.. of course this was only cause we were in Memphis... Elvis's birthplace!! LOL.. I thought it was funny! (yes I know Elvis does suck!)
by Harry Manback on 03-12-2002 @ 11:30:16 AM
i do believe that this forum is for what WE think songs mean. and the whole record sales thing is what i think this song is about. It is a beautiful song and Maynard is god but I don't think we should feel guilty for wanting money. After all without money we can't buy food and without food we can't live!
by paga105 on 04-10-2002 @ 05:56:30 AM
Who really cares what Tool do any way. They are a good band and could make a lot more money if they wanted to. I think theyve prooved they can make it big by actually being good rather than being marketed like every other band in the world.
by hell_i_call_my_head on 04-16-2002 @ 10:12:05 PM
well parabol or parabola...i take it to mean a state of nirvana...now for all the little wannabees out there i dont mean the band...im ean the state of enlightenment
by hell_i_call_my_head on 04-16-2002 @ 10:12:07 PM
well parabol or parabola...i take it to mean a state of nirvana...now for all the little wannabees out there i dont mean the band...im mean the state of enlightenment
by Harry Manback on 04-17-2002 @ 11:20:43 AM
Well, since my theory was a little vague, I thought I'd clarify it a bit more.
"Is this a test? It has to be, Otherwise I can't go on." - Is it some kind of exam that Tool have to put out another album quickly.
"This paranoid, paralyzed vampire act's a little old." - Maynard sees the record industry as a vampire sucking his life from him.
"But I'm still right here. Giving blood, keeping faith. And I'm still right here." - Even though Maynard is tired of the industry, he still carries on making records cos that's what he loves doing.
"If there were no rewards to reap, No loving embrace to see me through, This tedious path I've chosen here, I certainly would've walked away by now." - If Maynard didn't get anything for making music, be it money or loyal fans, he would have quit making music straight away.
"I must keep reminding myself of this." - He must remind himself of reasons why he does what he does. Scream at me, send me hate mail, pilage my house. Do whatever, but this is my theory of this song and it's my favourite one from Lateralus. I can tell I'm gonna be umpopular after this!
by joshthack on 04-19-2002 @ 10:00:12 PM
I think you can learn the most from this song by looking at the very tip of it. "Be patient," whether it be in life, with kids, with school, with other people, whatever. It's just important that you don't rush through something, be patient and take time to fully understand the situation.
I just want to add that Harry Manback is pissing me off by constantly refering to Maynard as god.
by Harry Manback on 04-24-2002 @ 09:25:08 AM
Well what do you suggest Maynard is, joshthack? I don't literally worship him but he is so fantastic at writing songs he deserves to be a demi-god ok?
by joshthack on 04-25-2002 @ 02:15:51 AM
I'm suggesting that he is a human being, just like you or I, who is very in touch with the seen and unseen reality of life. Either that or he's just wasted on drugs all the time, but I think that the music is to sophisticated for that possibility.
by Harry Manback on 04-25-2002 @ 10:29:02 AM
I apologise for just picking out Maynard when Adam, Justin and Danny are all fabulous musicians. Every song showcases their individual talent
by tool.freak.211 on 05-04-2002 @ 10:25:16 PM
HarryManback, I think your description makes a lot of sense, the meanings you said really went well with the lyrics. Ive tried to figure the song out many times and though it probably goes deeper than that I agree with you. :)
by bizarre on 05-07-2002 @ 05:27:45 AM
Dude, didn't you know? Maynard doesn't ever have to worry about selling records again. He has two of the most awesome rock bands ever, Tool and A Perfect Circle. He said that, oddly enough, A Perfect Circle has become all about the music, because Tool will sell records no matter what. So that is way too shallow of an interpretation, whether or not he will sell records.
by Beowulf_Xtreme on 05-07-2002 @ 11:17:44 PM
You have to keep faith in whatever you keep faith in and remember not to abandon hope no matter how dim the future sings. Always remember to be patient. Patience kills doubt with time.
by Beowulf_Xtreme on 05-08-2002 @ 01:51:21 AM
No matter how deep the future seems. Sorry.
by jp1092002 on 05-08-2002 @ 05:41:52 PM
I think this song is Maynard's interpretation of those that are blinded by religious beliefs that hinder them from their true potential. They are so engrossed in following protocol that they forget that they are doing themselves more harm. He also shows the confusion that people may have that are knee deep in religion. They are being tried and tested and for what?
by Beowulf_Xtreme on 05-09-2002 @ 02:43:31 AM
It could mean that but to me it seems more like, his doubts is what is hindering him and the only wait to succeed IS to have faith. But that's just me, of course. It can mean different things to different people.