tooms October 13th, 2007 04:56PM  
I believe this song equates patience with faith. It is about making the selfless choice to sacrifice for the sake of others and having faith in that choice. The path of selflessness is chosen both to fulfill a “desire to heal” and for “rewards to reap.” The path is made “tedious” by vampires who are “draining patience” and "vitality.” The persistent theme is vigilance to one’s cause, “wait it out,” “be patient” are echoed throughout.

One such "patient" person is becoming disillusioned by the choice issuing a "groan of tedium” and wondering if his faith is being tested. Ultimately he decides he has to believe he is being tested because the alternative is giving up. "It has to be, otherwise I can't go on." This line seems to be a confirmation of faith but it is belied by its delivery which gives a sense of resignation. As if this person is simply following an already chosen path. Maybe a decision made in a more optimistic time.

There are "broken and damaged," people who have lost their own paths or simply living languid ineffectual lives. These are part of the reason for following the "tedious path." The author has a desire to "heal" them. In the song it sounds like a spiritual rejuvenation but I believe it could take whatever form your particular path offers, emotional or intellectual healing are possibilities for example.

The "vampires" could come in many forms: people who pretend to be "broken and damaged" for the sake of cozening possessions, people who obey no sense of morality maybe even celebrating destruction, people who use another's efforts for their own gain such as music industry executives.

The "loving embrace" comes from kindred spirits. While there are "broken" and "vampires," there are also those that are fighting the same fight of faith. Each person sharing the author's path in this way gives some encouragement to "wait it out" and "be patient" and remain steadfast.

Because the song ends with the author’s vow to “wait it out,” seemingly proclaiming that the “vampires” will be endured. This is a song of hope and perseverance. A testament to those that stand intransigent along their paths of righteousness, if for no other reason than that the alternative is accepting that there is no ultimate reward for our earthly toils.

anonymous October 18th, 2007 10:57PM  
I think this song refers to being trapped in the egoic need to find salvation in the future while trying to avoid negative emotions

Sathington November 7th, 2007 12:29PM  
To me its not that difficult. but until Maynard comes out with a dvd like the one he did with APC nobody is gonna know what the fucks up with any of his songs, I thought I knew what was goin on in a lot of them but there is so many different views on it all that I've come to the same conclusion that I've come to with religion. Its all true and its all wrong. (with me and religion its all wrong, but everything is relative so its right to somebody) anyways, this song to me is basically clownin on those people who are always waiting for god to come scoop them out shitty situations, or just waiting in general for someone or something who, if it is there, isn't about to do a damn thing but watch the world unfold... or fold. Not to say there's not a god, just not the one christians think of. and by clowning I don't mean making fun of, because his mother was one of those. She suffered plenty and still just sat and waited for "god" to help her while seeing no reward in the end

anonymous November 12th, 2007 02:32PM  
I half agree with the second submission. I think Maynard may be religious but on his terms and in his view of the very idea of religion. Obviously Maynard disagrees with established religion and if you disagree listen to the song "Opiate"

anonymous November 13th, 2007 12:05AM  
I think that "The Patient" questions whether any act we commit is selfless, if you think about it, we do everything for a reward, whether physical or making ourselves feel better, I think that that is what this song is about.

anonymous November 16th, 2007 11:34AM  
it's about waiting for god to reward you for your patience hence the name "the patient". Maynard is once again ragging on religion and saying that some people (like the person in the song)spend their whole life waiting for a gift or eternal life from god but he will never come because he doesn't exist.

ShortMama234 February 5th, 2008 06:09PM  
I think that this song expresses how Maynard feels about his sometimes grueling schedule. (hence 'a groan of tedium escapes me, startling the fearful.') He feels like a robot sometimes, being forced to do this or that. Maybe he feels that the business that goes along with his career steers him away from the real reason he is doing this ... To make deeply profound music that is so hard for us to decipher! Good song though.

anonymous February 27th, 2008 04:49AM  
The key to this song is "a groan of tedium escapes me, startling the fearful". The words are the thoughts of one entity, about its relationship to another entity. A groan of tedium from entity one is enough to startle entity 2. This implies that a direct "HEY" from entity 1 would completely overwhelm, shock, frighten entity 2. Looking back at the album Undertow, particularly 4 degrees, and considering many of their other songs, such as parabola, part of me, etc... I think that you will find that a very compelling interpretation of The Patient is simply this: Tool is a vehicle for an incorporeal spirit which is in you. You are being possessed. What you get out of it is the joy that the music gives you. But, until you recognize that this is a supernatural relationship and acknowledge the reality of that spirit, you are being a timid vampiric parasite on Tool's spirit. Open up and accept it, otherwise you are a "Tick/Leech." Once you do, this patient entity is promising, you will be able to move on together in a holy embrace in your body and then see red and yellow as the world takes on deeper reality. I, personally, doubt that MJK is entirely conscious of the tightly connected meanings of all of Tool's songs, but their consistency, beauty, and natural development from Opiate to 10K makes me believe that he/they are truly inspired in the Classical sense. I speculate that Wings for Marie, while ostensibly about MJK's mother on one level, is a sign that the inspiration behind Tool has completed a cycle and I would not be surprised if they did not produce another inspired album.

anonymous March 4th, 2008 09:56PM  
I believe it is about his faith in god.. for gods sake he was raised in the church.. He's just waiting to see if there is a reward. He like everyone should keeps his mind open...

anonymous March 25th, 2008 11:39PM  
I only made it through the first five or so, I agree with a few but would like to submit. Tool as a group are frustrated. Like I am. We work and go about are lives without realizing our full potential. Every day I get home from my 18 hour day of work, I must remind myself of who we are and how magical it is that we get a chance to be here, alive and breathing. If the possibility of a united world of Peace (like friend of the band Bill Hicks preaches) where all are selfless and we live like Jedi (rewards to reap, you betcha. Imagine and you will see the rewards) what are we waiting for ? ? ? . . . . . . Be Patient, I am giving blood and keeping faith in the human experience but we have wars, class, it's frustrating, if the possibility of the future wasn't so bright, I certainly (ME TOO) would have walked away by now......the way it's looking, I still may.

But Tool is not about despair, they ARE about hope, and we as a people MUST recognize and take control of our H-O-L-Y existence. god (a word invented by humans) surely won't.

pensiveone May 20th, 2008 01:16PM  
I think this song is about a person who waits, and waits for his salvation and never gets it , this song is clearly about the lies of christianity and how they leer you in with false hope, and promises of salvation.

anonymous May 22nd, 2008 05:18PM  
I'd say pretty confidently that the song is about Maynards mother, Judith Marie, and her years of suffering, spent in paralysis after she suffered a stroke. She clung on for 27 years, and even after all these horrible events she remained faithful to God, and clung to her life, praying for her loved ones, -especially maynard.

The songs about her time in this state, so the title "patient" doubles as both someone who is hopeful and has patience, AND a patient in a hospital. It focuses on her determination to stay faithful through and through her suffering, clinging on for whatever reason. The lyrics are either from Judith's perspective, or from Maynards himself.

Either way, after her death (which occured after this album was released) Maynard had a revelation and his thoughts of his mother are much nicer than before. (especially from the APC song "Judith").

Maynard always had a hard time with his mothers faith through his life, he always seemed to despise her blind trusting faith in the unknown, and the fact that she never shook this belief seemed to anger and confuse him more-so. You can see it in a lot of Maynards songs (like Weak and Powerless, and Judith)...
This is a continuation of those feelings, and by this time, they had been dragged on for quite some time, so Maynard is getting tired of it all, which may be an explaination for the line "This paralyzed vampire acts getting old", and a few others.

However the song is totally open to personal fan interpretations. Even if this is Maynards actual meaning in the lyircs, his interpretation of it is just as valid as anyone elses.
(sorry for length) -Mac

anonymous June 6th, 2008 02:13PM  
Tool, or Maynard says he writes words what the music says to him, in a way. I doubt it has just one meaning.

I do believe it has a lot to do with tensions in the band, they have stated many times that frustration, tension, and anger towards each other is a usual tool (no pun intended) to express oneself and outlet those frustrations in a good way. It seems pretty obvious that they don't get along perfectly, and continue to work together because they know what they have together.

During the time when they were in the studio, they weren't exactly getting along, The record company was dragging them through lawsuits, and Maynard was getting into A perfect Circle.

Now, I think a good portion of the lyrics came from that tension, the tedious bullshit that was making Tool no fun for them, but the desire to continue with the band, knowing even though they were pissing each other off, and getting screwed by thier label, they still cared for eachother, fans and such cared, and that was a big part of wanting to continue. To be Patient. Wait it out.

I think this song, and Schism are very similiar, from an emotional point of view.

As with every song though: "when you listen to 'em, whatever you think it's about... THAT'S what it's about!"-Layne Staley

anonymous July 1st, 2008 09:34PM  
I think that this song is about a real patient,I'm still right here, givin' blood, keepin' faith is about blood tests, remember Maynard�s mom, Judith, she was sick and he talks a lot about her in his songs.

Pabulum July 6th, 2008 01:36AM  
I think he is talking about someone who is an alcoholic/addict or anyone addicted to something and who is trying to live free from the addiction. They may wonder if there are any "rewards to reap" from this new life or a "loving embrace" to help them to continue down the "tedious path" that they have chosen to try. They know that there are and that is why they are going to "wait it out". It's like they have hit a snag in their sobriety and are wondering if it is "a test" and if it's not they will just go back to the old life. But they are "gonna wait it out" cause they know it will get better.

_AENIMA_ July 26th, 2008 02:44AM  
I appreciate site's like these that allow people to share their lyrical opinion's without saying who's is "right" or "wrong" so allow me to offer my interpretation :)

Basically as a whole, the song is about MJK being in band, touring, meeting fans, doing interviews and the strain it's putting on him and the "patience" he needs to go on. If you're now all sitting there thinking "Hmm I see now!", then let's go through the lyrics and analyse a bit:

"A groan of tedium escapes me, startling the fearful.
Is this a test?
It has to be. otherwise I can't go on."

He is saying is this his test? He has chosen this rockstar life and he is tedious with all the little meandering things involved with it. If it's not a test to come out better at the end, he can't do this job anymore.

"But I'm still right here, giving blood and keeping faith. And I'm still right here.
I'm gonna wait it out"

As much as he finds it tedious and straining to do be in a band he's still here in it writing and expressing about his feelings (blood), himself, and believing in the band.
He's going to wait out his impatience and see if it will go anywhere.

"If there were no rewards to reap,
no loving embrace to see me through this tedious path I've chosen here,
I certainly would've walked away by now."

Now this is the part where I cry every time I listen to this son. (I can't help it!)
As I've mentioned before, although MJK finds this work mentally exhausting and and tedious, he knows that there are rewards that will come from singing in Tool. The loving embrace can be from the other members in the band as they all hug at the end of their concerts, or even perhaps his son. A loving embrace to get him through his tedious path that he's chosen. The vocalist in a successful rock band.
If he didn't have all those things he would have left the band ages ago.

"If there were no desire to heal
The damaged and broken met along this tedious path I've chosen here,
I certainly would've walked away by now."

Maynard has mentioned many times before that he doesn't put song lyrics in the cd booklets because the lyrics are open to each individuals interpretaion. If one fan gets their own meaning from one of their songs and somehow overcomes a bad period in their life, that's what they want. MJK has a desire to heal any damaged and broken people that listen to Tool's music as he cares about them.

"I still may. And I still may.
Be patient.

I must keep reminding myself of this..."

This is to remind himself that he still may leave. He must be patient and ride it all out, and keep reminding himself that he's here for a reason. As a vocalist to help people and reap rewards from doing so, but he still may leave.

and the final lyric:
"I'm gonna wait it out."

This is very close to my fav Tool song. And once you have this interpretation in mind you see the song in a whole new light and it means so much more to you. The fact that he would be this honest about leaving the band and have shown the lyrics to the other guys puts that much more emotion to it.

Well again, this is my interp. Hope you guys find it fitting :)

anonymous August 11th, 2008 07:28PM  
Hitting a rock bottom stretch in life, frustration and tedium.

The character of the song is having doubts of life...and if things should be that certain way when he says "is this a test"...that shows pure confustion of not knowing what is going on. Not knowing what is going on.

When he says is this a test its like this hard part in life is bringing him down..and he's hoping there is some kind of bigger picture behind this part in his life...thinking maybe if he succeeds this part he will earn some kind of self satisfaction or some self reward.

When he says he can't go on if its not a test.
I find him meaning that if there really is no bigger picture behind life..that if we are just here to think, feel, and see, there is no point of living.

anonymous September 1st, 2008 08:10PM  
This song could also be influenced my Maynard's mom who was on a hospital bed for "10,000" days. Hence the record name for their last album. Anyway, Maynard's mom was a devout Christian and kept faith in god until the day she died, never cursing God. She stayed faithful to her god the whole time. I think this song was influenced by that event, but not limited to.

youdontmeanmuch October 28th, 2008 06:31AM  
I think it�s about a person who devotes his life to strict religious and ritualistic life style, while tedious and very hard for him, giving so much. He seems to be going through some hard times, but he hopes it will all to pay off in the end. Possibly heaven or having problems or blessings sent to him in some way. With these hard times, He is now uncertain of his religion, but with having so much invested in it why give up now?

I believe the strongest point / conclusion or possibly even the moral of the song is in the last three paragraphs. I believe this is has a VERY slight dab of mocking a religious coward. That being, a person who is so afraid to admit to themselves (even though everything else tells them) that there is no god, and that their alone. They are not strong enough to handle that, and it�s just easier to force themselves into believing there is a god, and just go with the flow.

anonymous December 11th, 2008 09:57PM  
I think this song is about Maynard himself. I think he is reminding himself to be patient and maintain faith that his tedious work is having some impact on humanity. If it didn't he certainly would've walked away by now..