"The Unforgiven" is a song by the US metal band Metallica.
It was released as the third single from the fifth studio album Metallica.
The song has two successors on later albums, The Unforgiven II by ReLoad and The Unforgiven III by Death Magnetic.
According to the band, the song is about the fact that some people never take the initiative in their lives, but only follow in the footsteps of others and let others plan their lives for them.
The music video shows a little boy who lives in a stone-carved cave.
As the video progresses, the boy grows older and eventually becomes an old man.
He tries to create a bulge or a window in the rock.
He has an amulet that he occasionally reaches for.
At the end of the video, he made his breakthrough and passed his amulet through. Then he dies.
Lyrics
New blood joins this earth, and quickly he's subdued.
Through constant pained disgrace. The young boys 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 thee 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 thee unforgiven.
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 thee unforgiven.
Never free. Never me.
So I dub thee unforgiven.
You labelled me, I'll label you.
So I dub thee unforgiven.
Never free. Never me.
So I dub thee unforgiven.
You labelled me, I'll label you.
So I dub thee unforgiven.
Never free. Never me.
So I dub thee unforgiven.
