While we're on the subject
Could we change the subject now?
I was knocking on your ear's door, but you were always out
Looking towards the future
We were begging for the past
Well, we know we had the good things
But those never seemed to last
Oh, please just last

Everyone's unhappy
Everyone's ashamed
Well, we all just got caught looking
At somebody else's page
Well, nothing ever went
Quite exactly as we planned
Our ideas held no water
But we used them like a dam

Oh, and we carried it all so well
As if we got a new position
Oh, and I laugh all the way to hell
Saying, "Yes, this is a fine promotion"
Oh, and I laugh all the way to hell

Of course everyone goes crazy
Over such and such and such
We made ourselves a pillar
We just used it as a crutch
We were certainly uncertain
At least, I'm pretty sure I am
Well, we didn't need the water
But we just built that, good God damn

Oh, and I know this of myself
I assume as much for other people
Oh, and I know this of myself
We've listened more to life's end-gong
Than the sound of life's sweet bells

Was it ever worth it?
Was there all that much to gain?
Well, we knew we missed the boat
And we'd already missed the plane
We didn't read the invite
We just dance at our wake
All our favorites were playing
So we could shake, shake, shake, shake, shake

Tiny curtain's open, and we heard the tiny clap of little hands
A tiny man would tell a little joke, and get a tiny laugh from all the folks
Sitting, drifting around in bubbles, and thinking it was us that carried them
When we finally got it figured out, that we had truly missed the boat

Oh, and we carried it all so well
As if we got a new position
Oh, and we owned all the tools ourselves
But not the skills to make a shelf with
Oh, what useless tools ourselves


Lyrics submitted by ripelivejam, edited by asjniem, sheionizes, passionatesleepyhead, RocketFall, tejedu, Ye Olde Gangsta

Missed The Boat Lyrics as written by Isaac Brock Eric Judy

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Missed the Boat song meanings
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  • +11
    General Comment

    Song meanings are often subjective. Let me show you this song from my perspective.

    I believe this song is about humankind itself, something very unique and something we often take for granted. If you take a look, you will notice the prevalence of communal words such as "we" and "everyone". "Missing the boat" to me is something human beings have been very good at for the past 6000 years or so, beginning with the idea that we are rulers over nature. This idea changed human nature and created the world we live in now. One where we live each day working endlessly for money, in hopes that it will provide happiness. One where we deplete natural resources, such as fossil fuels, not thinking about the implications we are having on all other life and the future. We develop all these seemingly great ideas and act on them impulsively, as if we have no conscience. This is the reality of human nature. It has been deeply ingrained into each generation, making it normal. However, these consequences are beginning to catch up with us. People are finding out each day that we are being lied to. Life is looking less and less like the blissful dream we were told about. Perhaps "the way to hell" is a fine promotion from humanity. Whatever is going on, one thing is clear. Human beings have certainly "missed the boat". We are drowning in this thing we have created, and we will continue to do so until we make a 90 degree turn and change our basic fundamental beliefs.

    mingwersenon November 15, 2011   Link

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