If you were there, beware
The serpent soul pinchers
Three hundred and fifty no thank yous and nobody flinches
Go on girl go on, give us something gruesome
We require your grief, the thugs help the thieves
As they’re trying to rob the words from her gob and
Take the source of the innocents
If you were there, beware
The serpent soul pinchers
Can’t you sense she was never meant
To fill column inches
And you’ve had enough, what you’re trying to dig up
Isn’t there to be dug, the thieves help the thugs
As they’re trying to beat the good grace of a sweetheart
Out to the point she’ll comply
Why leave her on her own
If I’d have known then I wouldn’t have said it
I wouldn’t have said it if I would have known
Why leave her on her own
If I predicted tears then I wouldn’t have said it
I wouldn’t have said it if I would have known
There’s a circle of witches, ambitiously vicious they are
Our attempts to remind them of reason won’t get us that far
I don’t know what it is that they want
I don’t know what it is that they want
But I haven’t got it to give
She hasn’t got it to give
Unpacking the Shadows: A Look Into the Lyrics
“If You Were There, Beware” by Arctic Monkeys delivers a dark, atmospheric narrative that explores the invasive nature of public scrutiny and emotional exploitation. The lyrics paint a picture of a vulnerable individual targeted by manipulative forces, described as “serpent soul pinchers” and “witches, ambitiously vicious.” The repeated warnings and regretful reflections suggest a deep concern for the subject’s well-being, hinting at guilt and the unforeseen consequences of words spoken. Through this intense storytelling, Arctic Monkeys capture the tension between public curiosity and personal privacy, questioning the morality of those who seek to expose and exploit others for their own gain.
Song Credits
- Artist: Arctic Monkeys
- Songwriters: Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, Nick O’Malley, Matt Helders
- Release Year: 2007
- Label: Domino Recording Company