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All That We Let In Lyrics

Oooooooo
Oooooooo
Oooooooo

Dust in our eyes our own boots kicked up
Heartsick we nursed along the way we picked up
You may not see it when it's sticking to your skin
But we're better off for all that we let in

Lost friends and loved ones much too young
So much promises and work left undone
When all that guards us is a single centerline
And the brutal crossing over when it's time

Oooooooo
(I don't know where it all begins)
Oooooooo
(And I don't know where it all will end)
Oooooooo
(We're better off for all that we let in)

One day those toughies will be withered up and bent
The father son the holy warriors and the president
With glory days of put up dukes for all the world to see
Beaten into submission in the name of the free

We're in a nevolution I have heard it said
Everyone's so busy now but do we move ahead
The planets hurting and atoms splitting
And a sweater for your love you sit there knitting

Oooooooo
(I don't know where it all begins)
Oooooooo
(And I don't know where it all will end)
Oooooooo
(We're better off for all that we let in)

See those crosses on the side of the road
Tied with ribbons in the medium
They make me grateful I can go this far
Lay me down and never wake me up again

Kat writes a poem and she sticks it on my truck
We don't believe in war and we don't believe in luck
The birds were calling to her what were they saying
As the gate blew open the tops of the trees were swaying

I've passed the cemetery walk my dog down there
I read the names in stone and say a silent prayer
When I get home you're cooking supper on the stove
And the greatest gift of life is to know love

Oooooooo
(I don't know where it all begins)
Oooooooo
(And I don't know where it all will end)
Oooooooo
(We're better off for all that we let in)
3 Meanings

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Cover art for All That We Let In lyrics by Indigo Girls

This is 'Free In You', not 'All That We Let In' valiant effort though

Cover art for All That We Let In lyrics by Indigo Girls

First, thanks for correcting the lyrics!

To me, the title of the song means "We are better/richer people by letting ourselves hurt for our own pain and for others." All that we let bother us, make us more present in the world around us.

The rest of the song is fairly straightforward, talking about how death is significant and inevitable, and it's okay to hurt for them. It's okay to be soft. "Dust in our eyes our own boots kicked up" is talking about hurting ourselves along the way, and it's okay to hurt and grieve for yourself too.

The artist disagrees that all this rushing and progress is really forward-progress and doesn't see evidence of it. She points to parts of our world that she thinks are still regressive, like our political and religious powers.

In the end, it's the love in our lives and the pain in our lives that makes those lives rich.

My Interpretation
Cover art for All That We Let In lyrics by Indigo Girls

Life happens. We need every part of it to shape us and make us appreciate love. Soft, harsh, blending, contrast...all of it. Some make it, some don't.

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