What Makes a Man?

I wouldn't be surprised if this song became a single, it is really good. I instantly loved it when I first heard it live, and the album version is maybe even better.

Seems to be about regretting things that you've done, maybe wishing things had've gone differently.

It's all about regret and the past, along with not wanting to face it.

The first part with the train and his mind are his thoughts and memories. The second part is about his disguise and the people he met and wanting to hide from them. The third part is about loneliness which is why he talks about how cold it is and the light is fading into a darkness hence the sunset part. Then the last part is where how he can't escape and so he prays knowing in the end nothing can change it and only one person can forgive it. The chorus all ties in about how he's gone through those feelings and understands why people would run, hide, pretend, and ask to be forgiven.

All in all, it's a beautiful song.

a: chain stuff is dumb

b: this song (and the whole album) is amazing

while it isnt the most powerful lyrics wise (in my opinion), it is one of the most powerful musically. I mean, yes, the lyrics are still super powerful, but i think "waiting..." or "the girl" still take the cake. but omg. beautiful.

the part near the end distinguishable by a staccato violin in the background (2:23 on my version) is soo beautifully powerful.

this is just my spin on it, but i think each of the four stanzas/verses are each describing a differnt hardship so to speak. i think that the reason he "might know" in 1 could be love or a girl, 2 could be the difficulty of being an individual, 3 could be the natural cruelty humans have (unsure about this one), and 4 could be plain old fear and regret.

as for the meaning of the whole song; i think the above summaries are pretty good.

i thought of this song, as a mans last few minutes in life, reliving and rethinking everything hes done. and now that his life is over and his "Train is coming" a refferance to the reaper perhaps.

"Well I can hear my train a comin' I'm still runnin' for my life What makes a man pray, when he's about to die? I think I know"

i thought of this song, as a mans last few minutes in life, reliving and rethinking everything hes done. and now that his life is over and his "Train is coming" a refferance to the reaper perhaps.

"Well I can hear my train a comin' I'm still runnin' for my life What makes a man pray, when he's about to die? I think I know"

it's about life-choices.. he's analizing what he's done.. and how he'll act in the near future.. that's why he's "STILL RUNNIN' FOR HIS LIFE.." chasing the train.. not leting his life pass him by..

What a great song.

no its about how some people commit suicide and throw themselves over trains common sense? and how it says "now i'm running for my life" and "walk away from his mind" and when he says i think i might know means he can relate. "what makes a man live his whole life in disguise" obviously means that they're being a fake person cuz thats what people accept and he's afraid of how people might exile and exclude him or her. and he also explains what he's seeing and while he's thinking about this and how depressing it really is. break a heart with ease, he's talking about how it's so surprising how malevolent and heartless people can truly be. what makes a man pray when he's about to die, he's talking about how they always say "i don't believe in god, etc" but the truth is they always have hope when it comes down to it cuz they've got nothing left and they know that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCyut4vfKG4 @ 3:00.

he's so amazing.

i wish i knew what makes a man.

the train is obviously a symbol for death but the rest can be can differnet ways