Cochise was an Apache chief born in 1812. His name never shows up in the lyric, which has nothing to do with him. Audioslave guitarist Tom Morello came up with the title based on the vibe of the music - he was reading about Cochise at the time. Said Morello: "Cochise was the last great American Indian chief to die free and absolutely unconquered. When several members of his family were captured, tortured, and hung by the US Cavalry, Cochise declared war on the entire Southwest and went on an unholy rampage, a warpath to end all warpaths. He and his warriors drove out thousands of settlers. Cochise the Avenger, fearless and resolute, attacked everything in his path with an unbridled fury. This song kinda sounds like that."
This song takes aim at someone who seems to be wasting his life away, warning him that he needs to save himself.
Chris Cornell did have someone specific in mind when he wrote it. He said the song is, "Me yelling at me, looking in the mirror."
Lyrics
Well, I've been watching, while you've been coughing
I've been drinking life, while you've been nauseous
And so I drink to health, while you kill yourself
And I've got just one thing that I can offer
Go on and save yourself, and take it out on me
Go on and save yourself, and take it out on me. Yeah
I'm not a martyr, I'm not a prophet
And I won't preach to you, but here's a caution
You better understand, that I won't hold your hand
But if it helps you mend, then I won't stop it
Go on and save yourself, and take it out on me
Go on and save yourself, and take it out on me
Go on and save yourself, and take it out on me
Go on and save yourself, and take it out on me. Yeah
Drown if you want, and I'll see you at the bottom
Where you'll crawl on my skin and put the blame on me, so you don't feel a thing
Go on and save yourself, and take it out on me
Go on and save yourself, and take it out on me
Go on and save yourself, and take it out on me
Go on and save yourself, and take it out on me. Yeah
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