Down in a Hole

"Down in a Hole" is a power ballad by Alice in Chains, featured on their album Dirt (1992). It is the twelfth song on most pressings of the album and fourth or eleventh on others. The song was included on the compilation albums Nothing Safe: Best of the Box (1999) and Music Bank (1999). Songwriter and guitarist Jerry Cantrell was at first hesitant to present the song to the band, feeling that the song was too soft, but after a positive response from the band, they followed through and recorded it. The composition is written in A♭ minor, utilizing Dorian mode, and is centered mainly around Ab minor - Gb major - Db major chord progression, with Layne Staley's and Jerry Cantrell's vocal parts intricately harmonizing.

[Intro: Jerry Cantrell] Bury me softly in this womb I give this part of me for you Sand rains down and here I sit Holding rare flowers in a tomb, in bloom [Verse 1: Layne Staley] Down in a hole and I don't know if I can be saved See my heart, I decorate it like a grave You don't understand who they thought I was supposed to be Look at me now, a man who won't let himself be [Chorus: Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell] Down in a hole Feelin' so small Down in a hole Losin' my soul I'd like to fly But my wings have been so denied [Verse 2: Layne] Down in a hole and they've put all the stones in their place I've eaten the sun so my tongue has been burned of the taste I have been guilty of kicking myself in the teeth I will speak no more of my feelings beneath [Chorus: Layne and Jerry] Down in a hole Feeling so small Down in a hole Losin' my soul I'd like to fly But my wings have been so denied [Bridge: Jerry and Layne] Bury me softly in this womb Oh, I want to be inside of you I give this part of me for you Oh, I want to be inside of you Sand rains down and here I sit Oh, I want to be inside of you Holding rare flowers in a tomb, in bloom Oh, I want to be inside [Chorus: Layne and Jerry] Down in a hole Feeling so small Down in a hole Losin' my soul Down in a hole Feeling so small Down in a hole Out of control I'd like to fly But my wings have been so denied