Brackish

The lyrics present a speaker describing someone who seems wounded, distressed, and emotionally isolated. The repeated advice to “be strong” sounds less comforting as it returns again and again, especially beside the image of the speaker burning while another person watches. The mood shifts between observing someone else’s pain and exposing the speaker’s own inner struggle.

“Crucify” suggests severe punishment or suffering, while “take so much away from inside you” evokes emotional damage or loss of self. The image of a shoulder to lean on usually means dependable support, but here it is paired with distrust: the person being relied upon may not be able to guide anyone. The speaker’s wish to reveal their “inner workings” points to a desire to be understood beneath the surface.

The lyrics do not clearly explain who “she” is, who “he” is, or how they relate to the speaker. One reading is that the speaker is criticizing a harmful dependence on someone who cannot offer real help. Another is that the song portrays shared pain, with the speaker both longing for connection and resenting the person who stands by without intervening. The repeated lines may express feeling trapped in a cycle rather than reaching a clear resolution.