The song describes the pain of a breakup through various literary devices. The singer dreams of their partner leaving and knows they are not good enough for them. When their partner walks out of their life, their words feel like a knife cutting deeply. The breakup leaves the singer feeling like they are no longer living.

1. “Like A Knife”
Secondhand Serenade
McKayla Austin

2. I dream a lot, I know you say
You’ve got to get away
The world is not yours for the taking
Is all you ever say
metaphor

3. I know I'm not the best for you
But promise that you'll stay
‘Cause if I watch you go you'll see me wasting
You’ll see me wasting away
metaphor & hyperbole

4. ‘Cause today, you walked out of my life
‘Cause today your words felt like a knife
I’m not living this life hyperbole & simile

5. Goodbyes are meant for lonely people
Standing in the rain
And no matter where I go
Its always pouring all the same
hyperbole

6. These streets are filled with memories
Both perfect and in pain
And all I wanna do is love you
But I'm the only one to blame metaphor

7. ‘Cause today you walked out of my life
‘Cause today your words felt like a knife
simile

8. (But what do I know if you’re leaving?)
All you did was stop the bleeding
But these scars will stay forever
(These scars will stay forever)

9. And these words they have no meaning
If we cannot find the feeling
That we held on to together
Try your hardest to remember personification

10. Stay with me or watch me bleed
I need you just to breathe
hyperbole

11. ‘Cause today you walked out of my life
(Stay with me or watch me bleed)
‘Cause today your words felt like a knife
(I need you just to breathe)
I'm not living this life