Has our conscience shown?
Has the sweet breeze blown?
Has all the kindness gone?
Hope still lingers on
I drink myself of newfound pity
Sitting alone in New York City
And I don't know why

Are we listening
Hymns of offering?
Have we eyes to see
That love is gathering?
All the words that I've been reading
Have now started the act of bleeding
Into one, into one

So I walk up on high
And I step to the edge
To see my world below
And I laugh at myself
While the tears roll down
'Cause it's the world I know
Oh it's the world I know

I drink myself of newfound pity
Sitting alone in New York City
And I don't know why, don't know why

So I walk up on high
And I step to the edge
To see my world below
And I laugh at myself
While the tears roll down
'Cause it's the world I know
Oh it's the world I know

So I walk up on high
And I step to the edge
To see my world belo
And I laugh at myself
While the tears roll down
'Cause it's the world I know
Oh it's the world I know



Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae

Track duration: 04:16

"The World I Know" as written by Ross Brian/roland Childress

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


The World I Know song meanings
Add your thoughts

72 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    Song Meaning:This song is about losing hope in humanity and the world. It's that moment when you realize that no matter how much good in the world there could be, its blanketed with negativity. It's so sad that it's kind of funny. Humanity has the potential of love and empathy, yet most choose greed and hatred. It's the world I know versus the world that could be.
    Flag OldBalanceon October 20, 2012   Link
  • 0
    Memory:i have to agree wit maestro75, i have bipolar too n i like this 1 song
    Flag koala5412on September 01, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Ed's mom bought my daughter an x-mas gift last year. Random.
    Flag LostFearson July 26, 2012   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:The following is NOT RELIGIOUS...it is merely an attempt to describe the lyrics in "spiritual" terms that are affirmed and/or otherwise supported by the New Testament. It in no way detracts and/or otherwise passes judgment upon anyone's beliefs and is NOT a disparagement of any religion.

    To each his own.

    It is conveyed with the simple purpose of helping to "enlighten" those who seek peace and tranquility in a "fallen world" full of desperation and fear.

    May it be an encouragement for you to ask, seek and knock on the door that resides within us all. May you be blessed with a reverence for all life and be selfless in all of your actions.

    "Are we listening"....remain quiet and still and listen and hear the inner voice within you.

    "To the hymns of offering?"...."Prevenient Grace"...bestowed upon the world as a counselor/comforter (The Holy Spirit) promised by Jesus in all 4 Gospels and in the Book of Acts. This occurred 50 days after Jesus death; His subsequent resurrection and exactly 7 after His second ascension.

    The Pentecost was exactly 50 days after His death. The in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit is available to ALL who accept and confess with their lips that Jesus is LORD. Book of Acts 16:31 and Romans 10:9.

    "Have we eyes to see"....Being spiritual blind and deaf ; we can finally see this world and our life through a new consciousness upon the "in-dwelling" of the Holy Spirit. Awake O Sleeper and Rise Up from the Dead and Christ will give you the light is described in the book of Ephesians.

    "That love is gathering"....all who have the "in-dwelling" of the Holy Spirit know each other as brothers and sisters of our Heavenly Father and also our Saviour and LORD; Jesus. True love; is described in 1 Corinthians Chapter 13. It's referred to as Agape; not Phileo, Amore or Eros! Love NEVER fails! (1 Cor. 13:8).

    "All the words that I've been reading"...references the "Book of Life"; New Testament...often found in hotel rooms placed by there by the Gideons. Non-denominational dedicated society to distribute Bibles. II Timothy Ch 3:16 VERIFIES that it contains God's Word and that it does have GREAT POWER!

    "Have started the act of bleeding into ONE"...Once the "in-dwelling" of the Holy Spirit occurs; we become one with our Heavenly Father, Saviour and LORD (Jesus). Often referred to as the "Trinity". Refer to Book of Colossians Ch. 1:27; Gospel of John Ch. 14:17.

    The rest of the lyrics describe the "epiphany" and resultant NEW perspective that occurs as a result of the "in-dwelling" of the Holy Spirit. Both great sadness and joy combined. Known as "conversion" or being born again of "Water and Spirit" as described in the Gospel of John Chapter 3...verse 5.
    Flag BeachComberFloridaon March 13, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:If ever there were a song that epitomizes depression during the holidays-I think this is it.
    Flag redshiftdazzleron December 21, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:When Ed Rolland was writing this album he was working through a problem of his girlfriend fooling arond with another one of his friends. I dont know if he was considering suicide, but he was looking at the world from the view as someone who felt like they lost everything.

    I know I have felt like that, kinda right now. Its tough leosing someone you really care about. Jim Beam tasts really bad straight by the way.
    Flag LemonParadeon September 11, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think this was one of the first songs I saw a music video for. I was about 9 years old when that album came out and I remember just LOVING this song. I am glad to know that it has helped some people :D
    Flag ChloeGirldieon February 20, 2011   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:I like to think this song is about being Bipolar. I'm bipolar and I feel like this song describes my life. (before i got on meds). Just being depressed, wondering where the sweet breeze went, being alone, not knowing why...

    Then opening my eyes, gathering feelings love, happiness, words bleeding together...walking on high. Mania.

    And thats definitely "the world I know" too well.

    I guess every song means something different to everyone.

    Flag maestro75on October 24, 2010   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:He's sitting in a bar alone drinking and is really depressed. He's debating in his mind whether or not the journey is worth it. He wants to believe in God but he is facing up the fact that he just doesn't *really* know. He goes to the ledge and laughs as he cries.. knowing he loves life just as much as he hates it. And that he just doesn't know.. he doesn't have answers.
    Flag ifamericansknewdotorgon July 31, 2010   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:This is such a good song it really makes you think about what things really mean. the first 3 lines-
    "Has our conscience shown?
    Has the sweet breeze blown?
    Has all the kindness gone?"

    make me think of stuff way more than my brain can handle haha. but this is a beautiful song. :)
    Flag gatheringloveforyou143on July 31, 2010   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