Know something about this song or lyrics?
Add it to our wiki.
All my life,
I've been treading paper in the space between the words.
And there implied -
is that I'm but another body for the birds,
carrion, absurd and accidental atoms -
beating air, carrying on;
unwitting orphan of an unyielding despair.
But linger on, just for a moment,
until we can ascertain if something's wrong with me -
or the assumptions of these self-indicted brains.
Because I contend that all of this -
is more than just a meaningless charade,
that each and every moment is a bottle with a message hid away.
If anything means anything,
there must be something meant for us to be,
a song that we were made to sing.
There must be so much more than we can see.
But all our lives,
we've been treading paper in the space between the words.
And there implied's the thought -
that we are barely more than bodies for the birds, carrion.
They say that we're just accidental atoms beating air,
carrying on and on,
unwitting orphans of an unyielding despair.
But our hearts tell a different story,
our hands feel a different pulse.
If anything means anything,
there must be something meant for us to be.
If anything means anything,
there must be something meant for us to be,
a song that we were made to sing.
There must be so much more than we can see.
Something fathomless,
deeper than our pride can dive;
numinous,
higher than our hearts can rise;
transcendent,
further than our thoughts can reach;
immanent,
closer than the air we breathe.
I've been treading paper in the space between the words.
And there implied -
is that I'm but another body for the birds,
carrion, absurd and accidental atoms -
beating air, carrying on;
unwitting orphan of an unyielding despair.
But linger on, just for a moment,
until we can ascertain if something's wrong with me -
or the assumptions of these self-indicted brains.
Because I contend that all of this -
is more than just a meaningless charade,
that each and every moment is a bottle with a message hid away.
If anything means anything,
there must be something meant for us to be,
a song that we were made to sing.
There must be so much more than we can see.
But all our lives,
we've been treading paper in the space between the words.
And there implied's the thought -
that we are barely more than bodies for the birds, carrion.
They say that we're just accidental atoms beating air,
carrying on and on,
unwitting orphans of an unyielding despair.
But our hearts tell a different story,
our hands feel a different pulse.
If anything means anything,
there must be something meant for us to be.
If anything means anything,
there must be something meant for us to be,
a song that we were made to sing.
There must be so much more than we can see.
Something fathomless,
deeper than our pride can dive;
numinous,
higher than our hearts can rise;
transcendent,
further than our thoughts can reach;
immanent,
closer than the air we breathe.
Lyrics submitted by Mortisfacio3
Track duration: 04:42
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!
Only within the scaffolding of these truths, only on the firm foundation of unyielding despair, can the soul's salvation henceforth be safely built.
In response, the lyrics appear to point out the failed logic of man...
I can't help but think of To What End, when I hear the words "absurd and accidental atoms beating air". I think its a song about the meaning (or meaninglessness) of life. It also echoes the Platonic theme that appears in almost every Thrice album; there is something out there that we aren't able to seedirectly, and that we aren't getting the full picture through our senses of what is really going on, but that this is where the real meaning in life is to be found.
Dustin is the best songwriter around who can communicate the despair and transient feeling that accompany nihilism. But he also communicates the hope that one can turn to in the darkness...
Dustin is the best songwriter around who can communicate the despair and transient feeling that accompany nihilism. But he also communicates the hope that one can turn to in the darkness...
scbaseball12 is pretty spot-on for the most part. This song is pretty easy to grasp. Despite the dark themes it ends on a hopeful note which is really nice. Dustin is definitely of the Christian faith but this song is overall very spiritual and not necessarily Christian. I'm practically Buddhist and I can connect with this song on a pretty deep level. That is the beauty of Dustin's writing.
For anyone who still doesn't get it let me put it simply. Live by your hearts and what you FEEL is right! Just for a second consider that maybe what American society and culture are spewing aren't necessarily the best things for humanity in the long-term. Try as you might but science CANNOT explain everything. What do you feel?
I'm glad you can find meaning in these lyrics even though you're not Christian. That is indeed the beauty of Dustin's writing. Peace to you.
That said, it's my opinion that this song is explicitly Christian. There is a Christian theological question that often gets asked, "Is God transcendent or immanent?" The answer of course is both, which Dustin captures nicely in the last stanza.
And I agree that American values aren't necessarily the best thing for the world. Thus it's unfortunate on two levels that America's values are not in harmony with Christian values.
I'm pretty sure what he means by lyrics that don't need to be included is such as "i've been" he doesn't actually say in the song, but its in the lyrics. I only included them because the lyric sheet that came with the vinyl shows them, so although needless, I don't really see an issue with them being included.
I've been treading paper in the space between the words. (Dustin has always fought against what science has taught us through books and media hence the title, Treading Paper)
And there implied -
is that I'm but another body for the birds,
carrion, absurd and accidental atoms -
beating air, carrying on; (We all are here on earth and will have the same inevitable end)
unwitting orphan of an unyielding despair. (we are just orphans to the universe that know nothing about what will happen or happened before us)
But linger on, just for a moment,
until we can ascertain if something's wrong with me - (we are still alive until we can know for sure what is wrong with us)
or the assumptions of these self-indicted brains. (we assume that our own thoughts about why were are here are wrong because of what we read and are taught)
Because I contend that all of this -
is more than just a meaningless charade, (dustin doesnt believe what he hears and thinks that our existence is more than meaningless)
that each and every moment is a bottle with a message hid away. (self explanatory)
If anything means anything,
there must be something meant for us to be, (he again challenges that we are here for a reason)
a song that we were made to sing.
There must be so much more than we can see.
But all our lives,
we've been treading paper in the space between the words.
And there implied's the thought -
that we are barely more than bodies for the birds,carrion.
They say that we're just accidental atoms beating air,
carrying on and on,
unwitting orphans of an unyielding despair.
But our hearts tell a different story,
our hands feel a different pulse.
If anything means anything,
there must be something meant for us to be. (we know that we are here to make connections and are not just a physical presence but rather a spiritual one)
If anything means anything,
there must be something meant for us to be,
a song that we were made to sing.
There must be so much more than we can see.
Something fathomless,
deeper than our pride can dive;
numinous,
higher than our hearts can rise;
transcendent,
further than our thoughts can reach;
immanent,
closer than the air we breathe.
(This last verse he talks uses the words fathomless, numinous, transcendent, and immanent to describe why we are here and tries to explain that it is all beyond our thoughts and feelings. we are way more than just beings existing on earth. This song may or may not relate to God and dustins christian background although I like to think it isnt, rather it is just a generalization or at least thats how I take it. beautiful song..my personal favorite off the new record)