Like many people, this song has always hit me so hard. My mother in law has suffered throughout her life. Her sister drowned when at a very young, and then my mother in law was born and given a name VERY close to that of her sister who passed. Her mother never got over it, and would constantly tell her she wasn’t as well behaved, not as smart as her sister that passed… As an adult, she met and married a man who was horrible to her. Extremely religious and physically, verbally and emotionally abusive. Forced to LITERALLY walk behind him because that is what a women should do. My wife is the youngest of their 9 kids, all of them are afraid of him. Years later, even as adults, they are all afraid of him. My mother in law has always been the sweetest, most positive, most gentle soul I have ever met. She developed Alzheimer’s, and his abuse got worse as he would abuse her for not remembering stuff or not doing something “correctly.” The elders of the church always looked the other way, and even backed him on a few occasions when some of his abuse came forward. My wife and her siblings tried to get help and get her away from him. She eventually became unable to speak, walk, or do anything for herself and he he insisted he should care for her… yet on occasion she would have a black eye because she “fell out of bed.” It’s been almost 20 years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She is a shell of a human being being force fed to stay alive. Now in his 90’s he was only recently separated from her because he can no longer physically do it. If there is a heaven, I know that she will be welcomed as the angel that she is when she passes. I pray that hell really exists, because I’d like to think of him there for eternity when he passes.
The Patient is another one related to the same theme about Judith. The lyrics being from her POV, so desperate but somehow strengthening. Her will to keep going. It’s a journey.
Sounds like my dad and my grandma.
She had cancer and her church didn’t believe in surgery or blood transfusion.
Jehovah witness to be exact.
if I understood literally any of the lyrics I would finally be able to appreciate this song. I love the meaning and the grief behind it but not being able to understand anything other than the actual sound to me takes away the connection to it
U know when he 11:40 says that he literally showing how he’s a hypocrite too! WE all know our pain is the worst! No onw will ever understand right? Hubris, Maynard loves to be hated,
Why is this lady singing my band, amazing.
Maynard’s vulnerability is beautiful
Sweetheart, if this doesn’t make you cry, you wouldn’t be human. I’m sorry to hear of your grandmother, I’m not exactly religious, but I’m sending you and her love from an internet stranger 
My son passed away in 2019 at 18 years old. Tool has helped me cope with the tragedy
My mother suffered and died from Parkinson’s disease for 15 years and this is the most emotional song that has ever been made. Donated.
I had a terrible day…he stole my girl…I just found out she died…He is mine for rapping her. She told me I was her one… I will take my ,military training to hilt.
Istopped to see if she was doing well. The negibor had to make sure I was ok…I will make this right Mel…I love you.
It’s the most powerful piece of music ever created
Tool is one of the few bands in history which can truly be stated that the closer you look the better it gets.
that’s the best album ever recorded in my opinion.
This album came out the year before my father passed away from a 4 year battle with cancer. He was also a very religious person, and a good person. I still can’t make it 30 seconds into this song, before I brake down…
Listen to Judith from a perfect circle, it’s another song about his mother
“Ten thousand days in fire is long enough” …
Quality content. Thank you my sister! I´m crying here right with you. Your comments on songs that I hold dear, are very much on point. God bless you.
You bore me…try to think outside his words…u are just elaborating on the vocals.m…lame😊
5:47 the guitar here makes me think of those moments after you lose someone where you suddenly remember them and then start wailing