H.

Speculation has surrounded the song "H." The "meaning" of this song has not been detailed by the band, as they do not regularly comment on such things. However on several occasions, specifically on November 23, 1996 during a show at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia, Maynard James Keenan does grant some insight into the meaning of the song. Speaking to the audience he says, "Any of you ever seen those old Warner Bros. cartoons? Sometimes there's that one where the guy is trying to make a decision and he's got an angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other. Seems pretty obvious, right? The angel is trying to give him good advice while the devil is trying to get him to do what's bad for him. It's not always that simple though. A lot of times they're not really angels or devils but friends giving you advice, looking out for your best interest but not really understanding what's going to be best for you. So it kind of comes down to you. You have to make the decision yourself.... This song is called H." The song was discussed live during a few other shows around this time, one example being on February 23, 1997, when Maynard introduced this song by referring to the shoulder angel and devil, and also said it's about a hurtful yet dependent relationship. It is also of note that the song's working title was "Half Empty", as it was introduced during a mini-tour of California by Tool in December 1995. In the book, Teachings of Don Juan, a Yaqui Way of Knowledge by Carlos Castaneda, the author refers to a character named H. Keenan.

[Verse 1] What's coming through is alive What's holding up is a mirror But what's singing songs is a snake, it is Lookin' to turn my piss to wine They're both totally void of hate, and... Killin' me just the same [Hook] The snake behind me hisses What my damage could have been My blood before me begs me Open up my heart again [Refrain] And I feel this coming over like a storm again Considerately [Verse 2] Venomous voice, tempts me And drains me, bleeds me Leaves me cracked and empty Drags me down like some sweet gravity [Hook] The snake behind me hisses What my damage could have been My blood before me begs me Open up my heart again [Refrain] And I feel this coming over like a storm again, now And I feel this coming over like a storm again, now [Chorus] I am too connected to you To slip away, to fade away Days away, I still feel you Touching me, changing me [Post-Chorus] And considerately killing me Considerately killing me Considerately killing me Considerately killing me [Verse 3] Without the skin, here Beneath the storm Under these tears, now The walls came down Once the snake is drowned And as I look in his eyes My fear begins to fade Recalling all of the times I could have cried then I should have cried then As the walls come down and As I look in your eyes My fear begins to fade Recalling all of the times I have died And will die It's alright [Pre-Chorus] I don't mind I don't mind I don't mind [Chorus] I am too connected to you To slip away and fade away Days away, I still feel you Touching me, changing me [Post-Chorus] And considerately killing me Considerately killing me, yeah Considerately killing me