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.
Understood,
This will read as a plea to vindicate intolerance as surely as it is written.
Understand,
Contempt born of clear perception is a birthright to those who channel it toward progression.
Preserve life through loathing.
Awaken hope within hatred.
Wrest insight from outrage.
This is a birthright and obligation.
Spiteful and ill-tempered, I know the character well...
A maelstrom of weakness and instability seething with viciousness.
I choose not to accept this;
Not into my life.
There is no hope of reform.
When pride is allied with hostility, all reason is denied.
I return the denial.
A glaring misconception of self-importance, I know the character well...
Heedless fool, so arrogant with no understanding of consequence.
I see this negligence.
I choose not to accept it;
Not into my life.
Absence of introspection neglects the outer world.
Let not the excess of lusts and comfort mislead you.
This world is not yours.
Feel the quarrel in just his presence, you know the character all too well...
A destructive man at war with his cowardice.
I detest belligerence, and I choose not to accept it;
Not into my life.
Keep separate these hatreds.
Undefined animosity is a device of the spineless, the means of a fool.
Focused misanthropy is opposition to these dark hearts -
Downpours of disapproval no words could begin to express.
To distort the truth to serve itself,
To oppose understanding,
I believe in man.
Man will maintain its hostility.
Have this faith.
Conflict in the chest,
To be concerned for the needs of such heartless men.
This will read as a plea to vindicate intolerance as surely as it is written.
Understand,
Contempt born of clear perception is a birthright to those who channel it toward progression.
Preserve life through loathing.
Awaken hope within hatred.
Wrest insight from outrage.
This is a birthright and obligation.
Spiteful and ill-tempered, I know the character well...
A maelstrom of weakness and instability seething with viciousness.
I choose not to accept this;
Not into my life.
There is no hope of reform.
When pride is allied with hostility, all reason is denied.
I return the denial.
A glaring misconception of self-importance, I know the character well...
Heedless fool, so arrogant with no understanding of consequence.
I see this negligence.
I choose not to accept it;
Not into my life.
Absence of introspection neglects the outer world.
Let not the excess of lusts and comfort mislead you.
This world is not yours.
Feel the quarrel in just his presence, you know the character all too well...
A destructive man at war with his cowardice.
I detest belligerence, and I choose not to accept it;
Not into my life.
Keep separate these hatreds.
Undefined animosity is a device of the spineless, the means of a fool.
Focused misanthropy is opposition to these dark hearts -
Downpours of disapproval no words could begin to express.
To distort the truth to serve itself,
To oppose understanding,
I believe in man.
Man will maintain its hostility.
Have this faith.
Conflict in the chest,
To be concerned for the needs of such heartless men.
Lyrics submitted by playitloud253
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They hate the world's self-importance and decadance. And they are rejecting it, along with those that buy into it. Fire against fire, hatred against hatred.
The first part of this song is declaring what we all have as a responiblilty, And should be what you all should follow, "A Birthright And Obligation"
While the rest of it is stating the fualts of man, letting you clearly know what is wrong with our race, "A Glaring Missconseption Of Self Importance"
"When Pride Is Allied With Hostility, All Reason Is Denied" An Example...... "My Dad Can Beat Up Your Dad" Understand, no?
The strongest lines in the song are, "I Choose Not To Accept It, Not Into My Life" Meaning we all have a choice, either be the venom, or be the ones able to digest it.
Following the lines:
"Focused misanthropy is opposition to these dark hearts - Downpours of disapproval no words could begin to express."
There should be a further line:
"Words cannot express our disappointment."
To further add, i believe that the band is saying that it is not enough to hate the world and its erroneous ways, but that one must learn from that and channel that hatred into something progressive, otherwise we are no better than those we hate.
"Preserve life through loathing. Awaken hope within hatred. Wrest insight from outrage."
Use your emotion to better yourself and the world.
They are also saying that there is a conflict between outright hatred for man and a desire to see man improve himself. First, they comment on man and his flaws:
"To distort the truth, to serve itself, to oppose understanding: I believe in man. Man will maintain its hostility. Have this faith."
But, even after all that, we as humans are still drawn to help our fellow man:
"Conflict in the chest, To be concerned for the needs of such heartless men."
This song is so powerful to me and really matches my outlook on life to great music.