Down In A Hole – Alice In Chains

Bury me softly in this womb

I give this part of me for you

Sand rains down and here I sit

Holding rare flowers

In a tomb… in bloom

Down in a hole and I don’t know if I can be saved

See my heart I decorate it like a grave

Oh, you don’t understand who they thought I was supposed to be

Look at me now I’m a man who won’t let himself be

Down in a hole, losing my soul

Down in a hole, losing control

I’d like to fly

But my wings have been so denied

Down in a hole and they’ve put all the stones in their place

I’ve eaten the sun so my tongue has been burned of the taste

I have been guilty of kicking myself in the teeth

I will speak no more of my feelings beneath

Down in a hole, losing my soul

Down in a hole, losing control

I’d like to fly

But my wings have been so denied

Bury me softly in this womb

Oh I want to be inside of you

I give this part of me for you

Oh I want to be inside of you

Sand rains down and here I sit

Holding rare flowers

Oh I want to be inside of you

In a tomb… in bloom

Oh I want to be inside…

Down in a hole, losing my soul

Down in a hole, feeling so small

Down in a hole, losing my soul

Down in a hole, out of control

I’d like to fly

But my wings have been so denied

Exploring the Depths: The Meaning Behind “Down In A Hole”

“Down In A Hole” by Alice In Chains is a haunting reflection on vulnerability, isolation, and self-doubt. The imagery of being buried, holding rare flowers, and sitting in a tomb conveys a sense of entrapment and resignation. The recurring theme of wings being denied suggests a longing for freedom or escape, but with obstacles that seem insurmountable. The lyrics paint a portrait of someone grappling with internal struggles, guilt, and a loss of self-control. The song resonates with listeners through its raw emotional honesty, capturing the pain of feeling misunderstood and disconnected from one’s true self.

Song Credits

  • Songwriters: Jerry Cantrell, Layne Staley
  • Release Year: 1992
  • Label: Columbia Records