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What is not but could be if
what could appear in the morning mist
with all associated risk
what is not but could be if
What was not but could have been
was my obsession way back when
now I just remember this
what is not but could be if
what is not but could be if
we could be crossing
this abridged abyss into beginning
and failure's got you in its grasp
and you're reaching for your very last
It's just beginning
one has lived life carelessly
if he or she has failed to see
that the truth is not alive or dead
the truth is struggling to be said
so how do we get out of this?
family shadows all of this
through what is not but could be if
with all associated risk
what is not but could be if
we could be crossing
this abridged abyss into beginning
and failure's got you in its grasp
and you're reaching for your very last
It's just beginning
what could appear in the morning mist
with all associated risk
what is not but could be if
What was not but could have been
was my obsession way back when
now I just remember this
what is not but could be if
what is not but could be if
we could be crossing
this abridged abyss into beginning
and failure's got you in its grasp
and you're reaching for your very last
It's just beginning
one has lived life carelessly
if he or she has failed to see
that the truth is not alive or dead
the truth is struggling to be said
so how do we get out of this?
family shadows all of this
through what is not but could be if
with all associated risk
what is not but could be if
we could be crossing
this abridged abyss into beginning
and failure's got you in its grasp
and you're reaching for your very last
It's just beginning
Lyrics submitted by Velfare4
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Don't know much about Berman's substance issues, but I think this really speaks to the sense of life that comes in regret and procrastination; avoiding the overcoming that is required to really engage with the world.
I think a good contrast in the Silver Jews catalogue is Black and Brown Shoes, where the sense of being able to come to even the simplest decision's in life comes to passivity, and a large part of misery lies in this so I think. If we can't even get out of the door with our shoes on how the hell can we come to grips with things? Tomorrow keeps coming and we wait for the next one. The world sits outside - Berman describes everything going on outside his door - and he can't make that simple decision "to make a move".
This song on the other hand is the coming to grips of that misery and passivity. It's a powerful song in its lyrical content, if not the greatest tune (still pretty good.) There's a lot of indefiniteness in the world, but if we can start recognizing that fact and keep pushing through the struggle for the truth, then we might at times get out of the abyss. (Got on a spiel there but ah well.)
I believe it's "It's just beginning".
Great song.
What was not, but could have been, was my obsession way back when. (he used to dwell on failures and make excuses)
What is not, but could be if (that is his new motto. If you want something, don't make excuses about it, focus on how it could be if you do something about it.)
was my obsession way back when
now I just remember this
what is not but could be if
what is not but could be if
we could be crossing
this abridged abyss into beginning
and failure's got you in its grasp
and you're reaching for your very last
vicious beginning"
i think this is talking about his previous drug use and overcoming it. that's what i got out of it at least. he could be crossing into a new "sober" life and he just remembers the times when he used to "be obsessed" and held in the grasp of drugs.
family shadows all of this
through what is not but could be if
with all associated risk"
Seems to be about the fear of the unknown. How do we get out of it? By carrying on unknowingly, "with all associated risk". Seems a positive message to me though, like he feels enlightened by this and he's revelling in it. That's why he keeps repeating himself.
was my obsession way back when"
cocaine ? er... I don't think so.
"What is not, but could have been
Was my obsession: heroin..."
Good thing he did rhyme "in the way back" with "I was on crack": tmi.
Enough silliness. The only part of this song I don't like is when he pronounces "associated risk"... DC eat the "ated" in associated too much for my comfort.
And now I'm nitpicking.
Very good tune.
from the Yiddish proverb,
“Der Emess lebt nit, der emess shtarbt nit. Der emess ,atert zich.”
(The truth is not alive. The truth is not dead. It struggles.)
OT: anyone know what "police conversation, 1783" refers to in 'There is a Place'?