To the ends of this lost world
You have marched and you have sworn
To a tainted crown of thorns

As the hungry sails unfurl
We are trusted from the shore
And it's you that we search for

The blackest night
The midnight sun
The covered tracks and days spent on the run
The strangers we've become

[Chorus]
These whereabouts unknown
Please know you can come home
It's alright
I long for the moment
Our silence is broken
It's alright
It's alright
It's alright

Another place, another time
We toed the same side of the line
Yeah we saw eye to eye

Even then the saddest sounds,
Were nothing laughter could not drown
But we are not laughing now

I see your face
In my sights
I hesitate
And then look for a sign
Somewhere in the sky

[Chorus]

Even together, we stand apart
Swallow the sun, erase the sky
An invitation has been declined
Where did you go? Where did you go?

[Chorus]

It's alright now
Oh, oh


It's alright now
'Cause all is forgiven
If you could just listen
It's alright
It's alright.



Lyrics submitted by Yoshü

Track duration: 04:02

"Whereabouts Unknown" as written by Zach Blair, Joseph Principe, Timothy Mcilrath, Brandon Barnes

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Whereabouts Unknown song meanings
Add your thoughts

23 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment:While 'tainted crown of thorns' obviously refers to Jesus. but we can't interpret this song as a challenge to religion. If the song was indeed asking where is God,
    certain lines such as 'its alright' and 'all is forgiven' would be irrelevant.
    I believe this song does, indeed refer to God. but instead of us asking where is he, God is crying out to all sinners to 'come home' 'cause all is forgiven' if we could 'just listen'.
    Flag fxxspideron March 05, 2013   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:I have 3 theories, it could possibly someone who heads to war and goes missing in action, the tainted crown of thorns being the military; but that seems pretty unlikely as it doesn't fit with the rest of the song too well. It could just be someone who's fallen out with their parents and run from home, which fits "the covered tracks, the day spent on the run, the stranger we've become". I think the most likely meaning though is Chris (guitarist up to Sufferer and the Witness)leaving the band and them wanting him to return.
    Flag Daydreamanonon July 29, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:First when I heard about this song I thought it was a bout a child who run away from their parents.

    But now, when I hear it I think more about a girlfriend who is running from a sick and abusive boyfriend. He is regretting, but he can not see what he's doing wrong. But he's begging her to come home.

    Though, there are many ways this song can be interpreted we've noticed...
    Flag KaosFlicka93on October 01, 2010   Link
  • +2
    Song Meaning:This song is obviously questioning religious people. "Tainted crown of thorns" = the crown of thorns places on Jesus' head before being crucified, and put the word "tainted" to describe that crown. The title of the song, "Whereabouts Unknown" = where is this "God"?

    I will go no further, I'll let you guys figure out the rest, these clues should be enough, and if not just keep in mind that Tim and Brandon are both atheist, it should help you interpret their songs. And much of the Appeal to Reason album is about religion. Drones = "disciples of the gods... never live nor breathe." Collapse = "this is not a test."

    I like these other interpretations though, I don't agree with them, but music is to be interpreted so I won't criticize how you see the song.
    Flag itzalion September 21, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think it's about a kid who runs away from home and there mother or father is telling them it's okay to come home.
    Flag TheRedDeath25on August 16, 2010   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:Yea this song is about Chris leaving Rise Against to start a new band.
    His new band is called 'Last of the Believers'.
    But the narrator seems to want him to come back.

    Chris left Rise Against because of the touring.
    He thought it was too much pressure.
    So now there is Zach replacing him, and I absolutely dislike him.
    Not saying he's bad at playing his guitar.
    Imo his style just doesn't fit for Rise Against,
    but he likes touring more than Chris, that's obvious.
    Flag berdtpon February 19, 2010   Link
  • +3
    General Comment:Or maybe we're all just reading too much into it. It's probably just about a game of hide-and-seek. You know when the game is over and you STILL can't find the most clever kid in the game. "Its okay to come out now!" Haha ... Okay. Not funny.
    Flag kharyson December 05, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Well, no one bash me for this, but when I first listened to the lyrics, I thought it was kind of about what a mess the world is and calling for Jesus to come back. Some of the lyrics make sense with this... namely "swallow the sun" and "erase the sky," both being mentioned in Revelations as Apocalypse prophecies, as I recall. I dunno. Just what I interpreted. I'm not sure how religious Rise Against is, but I'd hazard a guess at not very, so I'm probably wrong. Haha But that's just what I hear when I listen to it. I've seen some good (and possibly more sensible) interpretations here, too.
    Flag kharyson December 05, 2009   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:It is definitely morse code.
    Flag bknon October 23, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:someonw mentioned morse code... I went to 1:26-1:40 thinking the dude was just hearin thigns... I hear something that could be made out as morse code... but is it really?

    I have high doubts. but does anyone know for sure?
    Flag chiefatarmson May 22, 2009   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain