The Unforgiven

From MetallicaWiki

"The Unforgiven" is the fourth track on the 1991 self-titled album.

The horn in the intro was supposedly taken from a Western movie and played in a reverse direction, though Metallica never revealed the exact source. It is believed that a composition by Ennio Morricone entitled "The Showdown" from the 1965 movie For a Few Dollars More was used.

During live shows, James performs "The Unforgiven" both on acoustic and electric guitars.

Two sequels of the original song were recorded; "The Unforgiven II," released on the 1997 album ReLoad, and "The Unforgiven III," released in 2008 on Death Magnetic.

Lyrics

New blood joins this earth
And quickly he's subdued
Through constant pained disgrace
The young boy 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”

You labeled me
I'll label you
So I dub thee “Unforgiven”

Words and Music by James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich and Kirk Hammett
Copyright © 1991 Creeping Death Music (ASCAP)
International Copyright Secured   All Rights Reserved