Behind Closed Doors – English Lyrics

• By: Rise Against

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a powerful tool, and Rise Against's "Behind Closed Doors" offers a passionate entry point into English. The song's clear, forceful lyrics tackle themes of struggle and perseverance, making the vocabulary both memorable and meaningful. The raw energy and defiant spirit of the song are universal, providing a special connection for learners who are also fighting their own battles, whatever they may be.

[English]

♪ Chairs thrown and tables toppled ♪

♪ Hands armed with broken bottles ♪

♪ Standing no chance to win but ♪

♪ We're not running, we're not running ♪

(rock music)

♪ There's a point I think we're missing ♪

♪ It's in the air we raise our fists in ♪

♪ In the smiles we cast each other ♪

♪ My sister, my brother ♪

♪ About the time we gave up hoping ♪

♪ We'd ever find these locks still open ♪

♪ Stumbling on stones unturned ♪

♪ The hurt we feel we all have earned. ♪

♪ The lines we cross in search of change ♪

♪ But all they see is treason ♪

♪ Although we have no obligation to stay alive ♪

♪ On broken backs we beg for mercy, we will survive ♪

♪ Break out. ♪

♪ I won't be left here ♪

♪ Behind closed doors ♪

♪ Bonfires burn like beacons ♪

♪ Guiding the lost and weakened ♪

♪ Flames dance on crashing waves ♪

♪ Guiding ships who've gone astray ♪

♪ Time out, let's stop and think this through ♪

♪ We've all got better things to do ♪

♪ Than talk in circles, run in place ♪

♪ Answers inches from our face ♪

♪ Although we have no obligation to stay alive ♪

♪ On broken backs we beg for mercy, we will survive ♪

♪ Break out ♪

♪ I won't be left here ♪

♪ Behind closed doors ♪

(guitar solo)

♪ Black eyes, broken fingers ♪

♪ Blood drips and I let it run ♪

♪ Down my lips into my swollen gums ♪

♪ When hope is non-existent ♪

♪ Our instincts all scream, "Run" ♪

♪ We never turn our backs or even bite our tongues ♪

♪ Although we have no obligation to stay alive ♪

♪ On broken backs we beg for mercy, we will survive ♪

♪ Break out ♪

♪ I won't be left here ♪

♪ Behind closed doors ♪

♪ Although we have no obligation to stay alive ♪

♪ On broken backs we beg for mercy, we will survive ♪

♪ Break out. ♪

♪ I won't be left here ♪

♪ Behind closed doors ♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
throw /θroʊ/ B1	verb - to propel something through the air with a quick movement of the arm
topple /ˈtɒp.əl/ B2	verb - to fall forward or over; to cause to fall
armed /ɑːrmd/ B2	adjective - equipped with weapons
bottle /ˈbɒt.əl/ A2	noun - a container with a neck used for holding liquids
stand /stænd/ A1	verb - to be in an upright position
chance /tʃæns/ B1	noun - a possibility of something happening
raise /reɪz/ B2	verb - to lift or move to a higher position
cast /kɑːst/ B2	verb - to throw something in a particular direction
smile /smaɪl/ A2	noun - a facial expression indicating happiness verb - to make a facial expression of amusement or pleasure
hope /hoʊp/ B1	noun - a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen verb - to want or desire something to happen
lock /lɒk/ A2	noun - a device for keeping a door or container closed
open /ˈoʊpən/ A2	adjective - not closed or blocked; allowing access
survive /sərˈvaɪv/ B2	verb - to continue to live despite danger or hardship
break /breɪk/ B2	verb - to separate into pieces suddenly or violently

Key Grammar Structures

• Standing no chance to win but

  ➔ Gerund phrase as adverbial of circumstance.

  ➔ The phrase "Standing no chance to win" acts as an adverbial modifier describing the circumstances under which they are not running. It means that they are not running *despite* not having a chance to win.

• It's in the air we raise our fists in

  ➔ Relative clause with a preposition at the end.

  ➔ "we raise our fists in" modifies "the air". The full relative pronoun would be "It's in the air *in which* we raise our fists".

• About the time we gave up hoping we'd ever find these locks still open

  ➔ Past perfect tense + that-clause as the object of 'hoping'. Subjunctive mood with 'we'd'.

  ➔ The past perfect "gave up hoping" emphasizes the action occurred before another point in the past. "we'd ever find" expresses a conditional possibility, hence the use of the subjunctive.

• The lines we cross in search of change

  ➔ Relative clause ('we cross in search of change') modifying 'lines'.

  ➔ The relative clause defines which lines are being referred to; specifically, the lines that they are crossing in their pursuit of change. It can be expanded to "The lines *that* we cross..."

• Although we have no obligation to stay alive

  ➔ Adverbial clause of concession using 'Although'.

  ➔ 'Although' introduces a clause that contrasts with the main clause, setting up a sense of defiance or determination. It acknowledges a lack of compulsion to continue living, but strengthens the commitment to survive.

• On broken backs we beg for mercy, we will survive

  ➔ Inversion for emphasis ('On broken backs' is fronted).

  ➔ Normal word order would be "We beg for mercy on broken backs." The inversion emphasizes the condition of their broken backs and the desperation of their plea.

• Bonfires burn like beacons

  ➔ Simile using 'like'.

  ➔ The sentence compares the bonfires to beacons to emphasize their guiding and signaling function. 'Like' connects two things that are unlike but share a quality.

• Flames dance on crashing waves

  ➔ Personification (Flames 'dance').

  ➔ The verb 'dance' is attributed to flames, giving them a human-like quality of movement and liveliness, adding imagery and emotional impact to the description.