In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
My life is all that I've known
And it's all that keeps me here
My time is all that I own
So I won't let it slip away...
How long can this life go on
Who we are what we are...
I'll see you on the other side
Wouldn't you rather live it on your own
Even when it bends you over
So when it comes time to go home
You don't let them fade away...
How long can this all go on?
How long till it's over?
And how long till it all comes down?
...And how bad do we need a new reminder?
Lyrics submitted by musicgirl429
Life Lyrics as written by Devin Garrett Townsend
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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It's interesting that when doing this live Devy will often say "Everybody ready for some death metal!?" I always thought it was a joke as this song is as far from death metal as you can get, but then I thought that maybe even though the song is called Life it's really about death, the 'see you on the other side' makes that more obvious. But then I realized it's actually about life AND death, the white and black, the Ying and Yang (the Strapping Young Lad and the Devin Townsend Band =op). This song sounds so simple yet it's ridiculously deep, and that's why it's my favorite song ever, I can never get tired of listening to it.
This is such a positive and uplifting song. I love it.
My life is all that I've known And it's all that keeps me here My time is all that I own So I won't let it slip away...
^ I love that verse because it is so true... Don't waste your time on stupid things. I love this song
I have to agree, this song is about living life and trying not to miss a beat. But then again he is saing "and how long till it all comes down?" So the song comes around on itself, just like Life.
In the last few minutes of the song, he is singing "See you on the other side." at the end of the song. This is saying to me that even though it is a good thing to be alive and enjoy the now, I will see you on the other side.
"In death, not only are the mightiest and the most humble brought down to the same level, but were no different from any other organism."
I see a lot of allusions to death in this song. I think this song is all about the value of the limited time we have on earth.
This song is so epic and inspiring.
I love the amazingly epic guitar part that starts right before 4:00. Ocean Machine is such a masterpiece.
It's just beautiful and epic and inspiring...nothing about this is even remotely bad. Clearly about cherishing your life.
basically what everyone else said, don't get caught up with little things and enjoy your life for what it is.