Lyrics:

withered rope you hang what's empty can't remain to put it simply
in time cry the hollow words to sing with false disguise
smothered hope fly from sorrow for a new divine tomorrow
i just don't want to know anymore life shifts up and down
everybody knows it's wrong
why don't you care? now do it seem fair?
it's not in the rhyme or reason so it goes with every season
crawl to top fall through bottom first hand love is really rotten
slice of life find what's plenty inch towards a sanctuary
[fight/light] with me inside the womb
i know everyone everybody knows it's me
it's my voice my voice cries out obscenity
sightless eye regard my past sometimes it should
i just don't want to know anymore.

The demo version features some different lyrics.

Original transcriber unknown; small changes by me

Appeared on:

• Back and Forth series 2 in demo version as "Smothered Hope (demo)" (5:11)
• Remission in original version as "Smothered Hope" (5:14)
  • Singles Collect in original version as "Smothered Hope" (5:15)
• Ain't it Dead Yet? in live version as "Smothered Hope"
• Remix Dys Temper in 'cover' version by Ogre and Mark Walk as "Smothered Hope (Ogre and Mark Walk mix)"

Total Versions: 4

Video:
Official video exists and appears on the Video Collection 1984 - 1992
Fan-made video also exists

Live Performances:
Bites tour
Cleanse, Fold and Manipulate tour
Head Trauma tour
VIVIsectVI tour
Doomsday 2000

Notes:

• Since the original multi-track master tapes were lost, the remix by Mark Walk and Ogre on Remix Dys Temper is actually a completely re-recorded version.
  
• When performed live, the line "sell your soul for rock 'n' roll" was often added to this song.
  
• Ogre performed this song when he toured with Ministry on both the Land of Rape and Honey and Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste tours. A live recording of such a performance appears as the b-side to Ministry's Burning Inside 12".
  
• The Back and Forth series 2 version of this track is proceeded by a live improvisation at the end of which the drums from Smothered Hope kick in.  At this point the track switches to the demo version of Smothered Hope.

This page last updated on Thursday, February 07, 2002