The song "Arsenic" by Dave Hause tells a story of guilt, regret, and the consequences of one's actions. The lyrics depict a narrator who has placed a metaphorical ticking time bomb in their own mind, which eventually leads to a series of events that ruin the life of someone else. The narrator acknowledges their transgressions and sets off the metaphorical bomb as a form of self-punishment. They watch as their hands begin to shake, indicating the overwhelming guilt they feel. The regrets and second-guesses haunt them, especially when reflecting on a specific night when their partner or lover might have warned them about their actions. The protagonist is then confronted with evidence against them, possibly regarding an affair or betrayal. They mention a car being present, presumably to confront their actions. They acknowledge that what they have done is wrong and admit to sealing the fate of their partner by telling the truth. The line "Now the gallows hang for you" metaphorically depicts the punishment and consequences the partner now faces due to the narrator's actions. The narrator contemplates the aftermath, imagining what the partner's wife and children would say about them. They suspect that others would believe that the partner deserved their fate due to their own actions. The guilt-ridden narrator hopes that their own punishment is severe, possibly even implying the desire for their own soul to be condemned to hell. In the end, the narrator accepts that sealing the fate of their partner was a fatal mistake that they will carry with them until their grave. They ask for prayers, indicating a plea for forgiveness or redemption, as there is not much left to save. The overall meaning of the song "Arsenic" revolves around guilt, regret, and the consequences of one's actions. It explores the intense emotions and remorse that can result from betraying someone and the desire for atonement, even at the cost of one's own soul.
