With our eyes wide open we... (x2)

So this is the end of the story
Everything we had, everything we did
Is buried in dust
And this dust is all that's left of us
And only a few ever worried

While the signs were clear
They had no idea
You just get used to living in fear
Or give up
When you can't even picture your future

We walk the plank with our eyes wide open

We walk the plank with our eyes wide open we
(walk the plank with our eyes wide open we)
Yeah we walk the plank with our eyes wide open we
(walk the plank with our eyes wide open we)

Some people offered up answers
We made out like we heard
They were only words
They didn't add up
To a change in the way we were living
And the saddest thing
Is all of it could have been avoided

But it was like to stop consuming's to stop being human
And why'd I make a change if you won't?
We're all in the same boat
Staying afloat for the moment

We walk the plank with our eyes wide open
(walk the plank with our eyes wide open we)
And we walk the plank with our eyes wide open we
(walk the plank with our eyes wide open we)

With our eyes wide open we
We walk the plank, we walk the plank

So that is the end of the story


Lyrics submitted by 60_miles_an_hour

Eyes Wide Open song meanings
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23 Comments

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  • +6
    My Interpretation

    I believe this song is about the human races' over-consumption and over-exploitation of the Earth (the music video also complements this idea). "We walk the plank with our eyes wide open" indicates that you are KNOWINGLY walking to your death, you are aware of it. So to apply it to the topic, we as a species are knowingly destroying the Earth and walking to our deaths because of it - the Earth does not have an endless supply of resources. Even the idea of peak oil in the 70's caused a stir because people actually believed that oil would "never run out".

    De Backer's lyrics seem to refer to people (in Governments, scientists) who have tried to get others to chance their way of thinking or providing scientifically sound data for what is happening, such as climate change/global warming. But as he says "they were only words/they didn't add up" he's saying that everyday people didn't understand what was being said, therefore they don't believe it. He continues on by saying that by NOT consuming we're not being HUMAN, and why should I make a change to my lifestyle if my neighbour isn't, for example?

    Very powerful message once you break it down, almost a protest. I also really like Wally's new music style thus far, and am looking forward to hearing more from him soon :D

    (P.S. If anybody has any lyric corrections they'd like to make, PLEASE let me know! I transcribed these myself and I bet you anything they're not 100% correct! :P)

    60_miles_an_houron November 16, 2010   Link
  • +4
    My Interpretation

    The video matches this song perfectly! I believe the song is about us bringing ourselves to our own destruction or setting ourselves up for failure. Now whether you want to take that literally or as a relationship coming to an end when you knew it wouldn't last in the first place is up to you. We walked the plank with our eyes wide open because we know the way we live our life isn't right but yet we still refuse to make a change! So "God" or "Aliens" or just a greater being forced to eliminate us because we proven ourselves unworthy, but they aren't happy doing so. So they cover their eyes as the see the wreckage. It could very well just be us destroying ourselves but in the video it shows and explosion in the background as the "creatures" as they travel the Earth. So I don't really agree with the whole global warming thing.

    BREAKDOWN

    So this is the end of the story, Everything we had, everything we did, Is buried in dust, And this dust is all that's left of us. But only a few ever worried.

           The Aliens, God, or Greater Being has ended the reign man because we didn't live the way we were supposed to. Very few actually lived the right way. 

    Well the signs were clear, they had no idea. You just get used to living in fear, Or give up when you can't even picture your future.

            The Bible was right. Or the signs of aliens were real. But as time wen on we stopped believing. Eventually no one really cared anymore and just started living their lives without thinking of the future or the consequences of not living the right way. 

    Some people offered up answers. We made out like we heard, they were only words. They didn't add up to a change in the way we were living, And the saddest thing is all of it could have been avoided.

             People gave us signs. The Bible, paintings etc... But we didn't take it seriously and believe that is was real. We just continued living the way we wanted to. This wouldn't have happened if we just listened. 

    But it was like to stop consuming is to stop being human, You'll want to make a change if you won't. We're all in the same boat, staying afloat for the moment.

             We think it's to hard to live the right way. To avoid the daily temptations. We all do it, we ALL have to face the consequences. 

    We walk the plank with our eyes wide open.

            We are walking straight into destruction. We know what will happen. But yet we don't try to make a change.
    Notlemon September 06, 2012   Link
  • +4
    Song Meaning

    "But it was like to stop consuming is to stop being human" even when "the signs were clear" This sing is without a doubt about man's current situation in the world. he's basically saying humans have become total consumers and we don't know how to stop consuming the earth even though we have evidence that our consumption-centered society of today will destroy us in the future.

    In the beginning he talks about after humanity's destroyed everything, which is the 'end of the story': "So this is the end of the story, Everything we had, everything we did, Is buried in dust, And this dust is all that's left of us. But only a few ever worried." The few that worried are those that actually cared about turning humanity's around from destroying its earth to a sustainable future

    The chorus line he sung over and over is pretty simple as well: "We walk the plank with our eyes wide open" He's saying we're basically choosing death (a.k.a. "walking the plank") even though we can see and could make an attempt to save ourselves by turning around our current direction

    Ryannn29on April 11, 2013   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    The music video for this song is very intriguing. I love it. Reminds me of War of the Worlds in some weird way...

    EnduringChillon May 27, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Amazing song, and I think your lyrics and meaning are pretty spot on. Good work :)

    TheyCallMeGodon August 08, 2011   Link
  • +1
    Link(s)

    I think this song is explaining that people aren't really too stupid, and that we know what's happening in the world but we refuse to pay attention to it. Thus the line "and only a few ever worried". I think the first part of the song might be about the "eventual" apocalypse... the song may imply that the evil of certain humans will bring an end to this world.

    thumbser.blogspot.com

    Thumbseron May 13, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    ahh so glad someone finally put the lyrics up. cannot find them anywhere else! think your pretty spot on.. i hear somethings different, wrote in capitals what i think? but i could be verrry wrong. wish there was an official version somewhere

    So this is the end of the story Everything we had, everything we did Is buried in dust And this dust is all that's left of us And only IF YOU ever worried

    While the signs WERE clear They HAD no idea You just get used to living in fear Or give up When you can't even picture your future

    Some people offered offences We made out like we heard They were only words-- THEYR OUR ONLY WORDS ?? They didn't add up To a change in the way we were living And the saddest thing Is all of it could have been avoided

    But it was like to stop consuming's to stop being human And why'd I make a change if you won't? We're all in the same boat Staying afloat for the moment

    So that is the end of the story

    amycatherineon November 25, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is amazing! <3

    Just one thing, I think it might be "some people offered up answers" instead of 'offences'? hence we made out like we heard them but really just ignored them?

    Thanks for posting these lyrics!!

    annietinydanceron November 30, 2010   Link
  • 0
    Lyric Correction

    Thanks so much for the tips, Amy and Annie!

    Annie I see what you mean about it being 'answers'... it could also be "offensives" because that would make sense, an offensive means you're making a counter-attack. But I have to listen to it again! XD

    Dammit Wally, give us the official lyrics :P

    60_miles_an_houron December 07, 2010   Link
  • 0
    Lyric Correction

    Ok I re-listened and Annie I think you're right about the "offered up answers" part, it makes a lot more sense now!

    I've also amended a few of the lyrics you corrected, Amy, but I still think it's "they were only words" and "only a few ever worried" but I guess we'll find out if we get the actual lyrics :)

    60_miles_an_houron December 07, 2010   Link

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