The Tragic, Untold Story Behind Pierce The Veil's 'Hold On Till May' Lyrics

As of December 15, 2025, Pierce the Veil’s "Hold On Till May" remains one of the most emotionally resonant and critically important songs in the post-hardcore genre, a true anthem for a generation struggling with mental health and emotional turmoil. While many fans know the soaring chorus and the raw vulnerability of the lyrics, the true, deeply personal story behind the track—written by frontman Vic Fuentes—is often overlooked, revealing a powerful message of desperate hope and the devastating impact of parental neglect. This song, a standout track from their 2012 masterpiece album *Collide With The Sky*, transcends typical rock ballads. It serves as a lifeline, a four-minute and thirty-nine-second plea for a friend to survive a personal crisis, specifically urging them to "hold on" until the month where they historically faced their darkest struggles. We dive deep into the specific lines, the featured artist, and the enduring legacy of this crucial piece of music.

The Core Biography and Context of Pierce the Veil

Pierce the Veil, often abbreviated as PTV, is an American rock band formed in San Diego, California, in 2006. The band is a cornerstone of the post-hardcore and emo genres, known for their complex song structures, technical musicianship, and the distinctive, high-pitched vocals of lead singer Vic Fuentes.

• Band Members: Vic Fuentes (Vocals, Rhythm Guitar), Tony Perry (Lead Guitar), Jaime Preciado (Bass), Mike Fuentes (Drums - currently inactive/departed).
• Formation: Formed after the breakup of Vic and Mike Fuentes' previous band, Before Today.
• Genre: Post-Hardcore, Emo, Experimental Rock, Screamo.
• Key Albums: *A Flair for the Dramatic* (2007), *Selfish Machines* (2010), *Collide With The Sky* (2012), *Misadventures* (2016), *The Jaws of Life* (2023).
• Key Song: "King for a Day" (their most commercially successful single).
• "Hold On Till May" Album: *Collide With The Sky* (2012), released via Fearless Records.
• Featured Artist: Lindsey Stamey (on guest vocals).

"Hold On Till May" is not just a song; it's a lyrical narrative that perfectly encapsulates the band's signature style: blending heavy, intricate instrumentation with profoundly emotional, almost poetic storytelling. Its placement on *Collide With The Sky*—the album that launched them into mainstream rock success—cemented its status as an iconic track.

A Line-by-Line Analysis: Unpacking the Lyrical Poetry

The power of "Hold On Till May" lies in its raw, conversational structure, which mimics a desperate, one-sided dialogue between the narrator (Vic Fuentes) and the struggling friend (the subject of the song). The lyrics are a masterclass in using vivid imagery to discuss sensitive topics like suicide, despair, and the search for hope.

The Opening Scene: Isolation and Parental Neglect

The song opens with a chilling, yet beautiful image of isolation:

"She sits up high, surrounded by the sun. One million branches and she loves every one."

This imagery immediately places the subject in a precarious, elevated position, suggesting a distance from the world—perhaps literally on a rooftop or metaphorically in a high state of emotional distress. The "one million branches" she loves suggests a deep appreciation for the beauty of life, even while contemplating ending it. This contrast is a key poetic device in the track.

The most heartbreaking lines, however, are the spoken-word interjections, which Vic Fuentes confirmed were inspired by a friend's real-life experience. The lines:

"Mom and Dad, did you search for me? I've been up here so long, I'm going crazy!"

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These lines are a direct, gut-wrenching entity of parental neglect. They reveal that the girl's emotional turmoil is compounded by feeling unseen and unloved by the people who should protect her most. Fuentes himself told *Kerrang!* magazine that the song was written for a friend who struggled with suicide attempts, reinforcing the authenticity of this desperate cry for help.

The Desperate Plea: The Meaning of 'Hold On Till May'

The song title itself is the central theme, a literal and metaphorical deadline. The narrative voice begs the friend:

"Hold on, hold on, till May."

The meaning, as revealed by the band, is that the month of May was historically the time when the friend would attempt to take her own life. The narrator is pleading with her to survive the current moment, to push through the emotional winter, and just make it to a specific, arbitrary point in the future. This concept transforms the song into an essential suicide prevention anthem, focused on taking life one day at a time. The line *“If I were you, I'd take a look in the mirror and know that for a fact”* is the narrator actively trying to restore the subject's self-worth.

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The Climax: The Famous Countdown and Acoustic Bridge

The song builds to an emotional crescendo with the countdown:

"3-2-1 where did it go? It's all in the past."

This is one of the most analyzed entities in the lyrics. It can be interpreted in several powerful ways. Firstly, it represents the countdown to a failed suicide attempt, where the narrator successfully intervenes. Secondly, it symbolizes the quick, fleeting nature of the emotional crisis—the "past" is the pain, and the countdown is the moment it vanishes. The line *“Yes now of course you can stay here”* is the ultimate offer of unconditional support and hope.

The bridge, featuring the soft, haunting vocals of Lindsey Stamey, offers a contrasting feminine perspective, adding another layer of fragility and beauty to the song's emotional core. The subsequent acoustic version of "Hold On Till May," often performed live, strips the song down further, emphasizing the raw, poetic nature of Vic Fuentes' songwriting and the intensity of the emotional turmoil it addresses.

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The Enduring Legacy and Topical Authority

"Hold On Till May" has achieved a unique status within the Post-Hardcore scene. Unlike many songs that simply describe pain, this track actively offers a solution: holding on. This is why it remains a deeply important song for fans who use it as a coping mechanism. The band, particularly Vic Fuentes, has always been open about the song's therapeutic intent. By discussing themes of heartbreak, despair, and the importance of a support system, they have built massive topical authority around the subject of mental health awareness. The song’s popularity has only grown, seeing renewed interest in recent years, often trending on social media platforms as a Pierce the Veil deep cut that new fans discover. The lyrical complexity, the use of poetic terms, and the raw honesty ensure that the song is continuously studied and shared by a new generation of listeners. It’s a powerful reminder that even the most aggressive or technically complex music can carry the most delicate and necessary messages of survival.

Final Thought: "Hold On Till May" is more than just a song from the *Collide With The Sky* album; it is a timeless piece of art that has genuinely saved lives. It stands as a testament to the power of music to connect with, and ultimately rescue, those who feel completely alone.