The speaker asks someone to come in and see their list of things, expressing that they can't read and need help going through it. They mention the freezing weather and search for something warm to wear. The speaker mentions burning pages to keep warm and expresses discouragement from crawling on their hands. They ask the listener to come over and attend to their wounds from a fight, and reflect on the ownership of their days and nights. They brag about making it out alive. The speaker longs for the listener to express their desire for them when they come home, as they have been alone for a long time. They express a feeling of emptiness without the listener's presence. The speaker contemplates the difficulty of friendships and falling into sin, questioning when someone truly sees or acknowledges your struggles.

Meaning of "When Do You See" by Nathaniel Rateliff

The lyrics in "When Do You See" by Nathaniel Rateliff explore themes of vulnerability, longing for connection, and the struggle for recognition. The speaker appears to be in a state of loneliness and desperation, seeking comfort and understanding from someone they care about. They emphasize their inability to read, perhaps representing a lack of understanding or a feeling of being lost. The freezing weather serves as a metaphor for emotional coldness or hardships that make it difficult to endure. The speaker's mention of burning pages to warm themselves suggests a willingness to let go of the past in order to find comfort or solace. Crawling on their hands symbolizes a state of weakness or submission, which the speaker finds discouraging. The invitation for the listener to attend to their wounds reflects a need for care and support in a time of struggle.

The lyrics also touch upon the speaker's ownership of their days and nights, suggesting a sense of control and agency in their life. However, the mention of their poor, swollen face losing sight hints at the toll that these struggles have taken on them, both physically and emotionally. The claim of making it out alive could be seen as a triumph over adversity, a source of pride for the speaker. The longing for their partner's desire and presence when they come home underscores the need for emotional connection and affection. The speaker's feeling of emptiness in the absence of the listener suggests a deep yearning for love and companionship.

Towards the end of the song, the speaker reflects on the challenges of friendships and the tendency to fall into sinful behaviors. They question when someone truly sees or acknowledges the struggles they face, highlighting the importance of empathy, understanding, and genuine connection. The lyrics convey a sense of longing for recognition, support, and genuine connection in the face of personal hardships and emotional isolation.