Metallica: Harvester of Sorrow Meaning

Song Released: 1988

Harvester of Sorrow Lyrics

My Life Suffocates
Planting Seeds of Hate
I've Loved, Turned to Hate
Trapped Far Beyond My Fate

I Give
You Take
This Life That I Forsake
Been Cheated of My Youth
You Turned this Lie to Truth

Anger
Misery
You'll Suffer unto...

1. anonymous

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   Apr 25th 2011 !⃝

   Harvester of Sorrows is about a man who lives in the modern world, supposedly living the "American Dream". The pressure and absudity of modern living, modern morales(or lack thereof) and the corrupted form of american capitolism drive him insane, and sends him spiraling into a murderous ramapage.
2. anonymous

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   Dec 17th 2010 !⃝

   It is about a drunk guy who tortures his family right before killing them. I think he kills himself afterwards but it's mainly killing his family while being drunk.
3. anonymous

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   Jun 22nd 2010 !⃝

   The Song is about a man who loves his family, and after drinking one night, snaps and kills them all.
4. anonymous

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   Oct 22nd 2009 !⃝

   The true beauty in the crafting of great art is leaving it open to the personal interpretation of the observer. This makes the observer (listener, in this case) gain ownership of the art piece. Give it up to Papa Het, a great lyricist/poet/songwriter, to leave the lines just blurry enough for us to debate, rather than have a simplistic song that needs no interpretation. Metallica was at their creative and technical peak for this album.
5. anonymous

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   Aug 19th 2009 !⃝

   This song is about a alcoholic drug-addicted father/husband, who torments his wife and baby, and his sanity snaps and he kills them.
   PROOF:
   "Drink up, shoot in", drinking and doing heroin
   "Look into my eyes, you'll see where murder lies...Infanticide...", He kills his baby
   "Let the beatings begin, distributing pain, your loss is my gain" He beats up his family, and his "gain" of releasing his anger, and it his family's "loss" for obvious reasons
   "I've loved, turned to hate" He has had sex (loved), and now has a baby, and he hates himself (turned to hate)
6. anonymous

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   Mar 16th 2009 !⃝

   Its either about abortion or about a drunken, cock-headed dad who snaps and beats up his family
7. YourFan

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   Sep 27th 2007 !⃝

   I always thought it was about abortion... but then it could be about how James feels about his father and how his alcoholism affected his family.
   this song kicks ass and I love it!
8. anonymous

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   Aug 25th 2007 !⃝

   This is obvious that this song is about abortion since they say "Drink up, shoot in, let the beatings begin" talking about the shot that they give the woman to numb the pain. It is also obvious when they say "My life suffocates, planting seeds of hate, I've loved turned to hate, planting seeds of hate" meaning that the child is dying in the womb. And planting seeds of hate is the pills the woman take to to kill the child.
9. anonymous

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   Oct 23rd 2006 !⃝

   No, it really is about abortion.
   Or maybe it's anit war... Whatever. It's one of the two, but it's not about alcohol or drugs

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
10. anonymous

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    Aug 31st 2006 !⃝

    Child killer - "infanticide"
11. CowboyNinja

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    Jul 26th 2006 !⃝

    Jesus christ people..... Its another song about drugs! The "harvester" during the chorus is the dealer, while during the verses, its the addict. Similar to master of puppets, I must say, but I prefer this one more, for some reason.
12. anonymous

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    May 21st 2006 !⃝

    It's about abortion !

    This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
13. Gerry

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    Apr 27th 2006 !⃝

    I always thort this song was about Hetfield's parents abusing him when he was growing up.
    
    "I've Loved, Turned to Hate"
    "Been Cheated of My Youth"
    "You'll Suffer unto Me"
    "Let the Beatings Begin" .........And so on....
    
    MetallicA Kicks ASS!
14. specialk2319

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    Mar 21st 2006 !⃝

    possibly influenced by the shining.about an alcoholic who snaps and kills his family.

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