I broke my promise on a very sharp rock
And I was possessed by something quite unfriendly
And I was haunted by a demon in my sleep
That’s how I learned how to survive

And I gave a beer to a bum that was drinking
And I gave some sauce to my bestest friend for cooking
And I gave water to all who I thought were thirsty
That’s how I learned how to survive

I gave my money to the bank for safe keeping
And I gave my money to my landlord, he was needing it
And I gave attention to the TV that was bleeding
That’s how I learned how to survive

If you ain't got the do-re-mi, boys
You ain't got the do re mi,
Well you better go back to beautiful Texas
Oklahoma, Kansas, Georgia, Tennessee
California is a Garden of Eden
And paradise to live in or see
But believe it or not
You won’t find it so hot
If you ain't got the do re mi

And we totally ripped off a man named Woodie Guthrie
And I bought a restaurant for his son named Alice
And I gave false information to the audience
That’s how I learned how to survive

And I give a thank you to my father for not raising me
And I give a finger to my step father for beating me
And I give props to myself for achieving
God damn, I’m glad that I survived
God damn, I am surprised I have survived

And I just handed you a giant load of gibberish
And I give love to a lover quite deserving of it
And I give thanks to all of you for listening to the
Story of how we learned how to survive.


Lyrics submitted by rkim016, edited by shitbird, goneinaminute

Survival Song song meanings
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7 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    I am pretty sure the last line is actually: 'And I give thanks to all of you for withstanding the storm of how we learned how to survive.' At least, that is certainly what he is saying on the version I have, off the album People Who Can Eat People Are the Luckiest People in the World.

    Of course, either way it is the Best Song Ever, and it is beautiful how it is all at one so honest and relatable.

    kaylzazzon August 21, 2009   Link

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