Song Meaning: Unforgiven III by Metallica

"Unforgiven III" appeared on Metallica's eighth studio album, Death Magnetic. This is my favorite of the Unforgiven trilogy for number of good reasons. First it's got a kick-ass solo, as is the case with all other songs from the album. Kirk Hammet was at his best, coming up with one wild solo followed by another. The lyrics resemble a well in-depth meaning, in that of relentless pursuit of materialism. I believe this song also showcases James Hetfield's best writing as well. I don't know what to say about Lars Ulrich and Robert Trujillo. I guess they all worked as a united band, and that, in fact, is reflected on the quality of album, in comparison Metallica's previous album, St. Anger.

When I first listened to the song, I though it was based on The Pearl by John Steinbeck. "Set sailor to sea but pulled off course/ By the light of golden treasure"³ is way too indicative of that, but there was not evidence to suggest prove it. It looked like James just wrote the lyrics from his guts.

The song is about a man going on a quest find fortunes in the sea, being blinded by greed to consider the obstacles lies his path. But he ultimately fails in finding the treasure because the obstruction of the sea is too much for him to overcome. "Searched the seas of gold / How come it's got so cold?¹⁶perfectly sums up his predicament."How can I blame you / When it's me I can't forgive" is lyrically saying, "I have no one but to blame myself" being too greedy.
 
Unlike the previous Unforgivens, the song was never released as a single, which is a shame, considering the fact that, in the studio, James had said "[Unforgiven III] is catchy, and it hooks the person the middle." I guess the song wasn't too heavy like the previous singles from the album.

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1. How could he know this new dawn's light
2. Would change his life forever?
3. Set sailor to sea but pulled off course
4. By the light of golden treasure
5. 
   
6. Was he the one causing pain
7. With his careless dreaming?
8. Been afraid
9. Always afraid
10. Of the things he's feeling
11. He could just be gone
12. 
    
13. He would just sail on
14. He'll just sail on
15. 
    
16. How can I be lost
17. If I've got nowhere to go?
18. Searched the seas of gold
19. How come it's got so cold?
20. How can I be lost
21. In remembrance I relive
22. How can I blame you
23. When it's me I can't forgive?
24. 
    
25. These days drift on inside a fog
26. It's thick and suffocating
27. This seeking life outside its hell
28. Inside intoxicating
29. He's run aground
30. Like his life
31. Water's much too shallow
32. Slipping fast
33. Down with the ship
34. Fading in the shadows now
35. A castaway
36. 
    
37. They've
38. All gone
39. Away
40. 
    
41. They've gone away
42. 
    
43. How can I be lost
44. If I've got nowhere to go?
45. Search for seas of gold
46. How come it's got so cold?
47. How can I be lost
48. In remembrance I relive
49. And how can I blame you
50. When it's me I can't forgive?
51. 
    
52. Forgive me
53. Forgive me not
54. Forgive me
55. Forgive me not
56. Forgive me
57. Forgive me not
58. Forgive me
59. Forgive me, why can't I forgive me?
60. 
    
61. Set sail to sea but pulled off course
62. By the light of golden treasure
63. How could he know this new dawn's light
64. Would change his life forever
65. 
    
66. How can I be lost
67. If I've got nowhere to go?
68. Search for seas of gold
69. How come it's got so cold?
70. How can I be lost
71. In remembrance I relive
72. So how can I blame you
73. When it's me I can't forgive? 

Lyrics from: http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Unforgiven-Iii-lyrics-Metallica/0507B7F11AB40AD0482574C0000E9A5A