The Unforgiven
Metallica · Metallica (The Black Album) [1991]
And quickly he's subdued
Through constant pained disgrace
The young boy learns their rules
With time the child draws in
This whipping boy done wrong
Deprived of all his thoughts
The young man struggles on and on, he's known
A vow unto his own
That never from this day
His will they'll take away
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never be
Never see
Won't see what might have been
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee unforgiven
They dedicate their lives
To running all of his
He tries to please them all
This bitter man he is
Throughout his life the same
He's battled constantly
This fight he cannot win
A tired man they see no longer cares
The old man then prepares
To die regretfully
That old man here is me
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never be
Never see
Won't see what might have been
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee unforgiven
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never be
Never see
Won't see what might have been
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee unforgiven
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee unforgiven
You labelled me
I'll label you
So I dub thee unforgiven
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee unforgiven
You labelled me
I'll label you
So I dub thee unforgiven
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee unforgiven
The Unforgiven
Released on the 1991 album *Metallica*, "The Unforgiven" stands as a defining track of the thrash metal genre, blending the band's signature speed with a darker, more aggressive tone. Written by James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, the song explores themes of betrayal and personal conflict, utilizing a driving double-bass drum pattern and a soaring, melodic chorus that became a staple of their live performances. As a centerpiece of the *Black Album*, it marked a shift toward a heavier, more polished sound while retaining the raw energy characteristic of their earlier work. The track remains a critical component of Metallica's discography, influencing countless subsequent metal acts and cementing the band's legacy as pioneers of modern heavy music.