What is not but could be if
what could appear in the morning mist
with all associated risk
what is not but could be if

What was not but could have been
was my obsession way back when
now I just remember this
what is not but could be if

what is not but could be if
we could be crossing
this abridged abyss into beginning

and failure's got you in its grasp
and you're reaching for your very last
It's just beginning

one has lived life carelessly
if he or she has failed to see
that the truth is not alive or dead
the truth is struggling to be said

so how do we get out of this?
family shadows all of this
through what is not but could be if
with all associated risk

what is not but could be if
we could be crossing
this abridged abyss into beginning

and failure's got you in its grasp
and you're reaching for your very last
It's just beginning


Lyrics submitted by Velfare4

What Is Not But Could Be If song meanings
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  • 0
    General Comment
    Awesome song about the always continuing mysteries of "if" and "could be"m and how they rule our lives whether or not we want them to.
    MortalSoldieron March 26, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    that the truth is not alive or dead the truth is struggling to be said. Amen.
    acorm88on March 27, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Amen. "what is not, but could have been was my obsession way back when" cocaine
    Skiptomylouon March 28, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    – “The truth is not alive or dead / The truth is struggling to be said”, from the Yiddish proverb, “Der Emess lebt nit, der emess shtarbt nit. Der emess ,atert zich.” (The truth is not alive. The truth is not dead. It struggles.)
    Skiptomylouon March 28, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    – “The truth is not alive or dead / The truth is struggling to be said”, from the Yiddish proverb, “Der Emess lebt nit, der emess shtarbt nit. Der emess ,atert zich.” (The truth is not alive. The truth is not dead. It struggles.)
    Skiptomylouon March 28, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    "what is not, but could have been was my obsession way back when" cocaine ? er... I don't think so.
    acorm88on March 31, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    "so how do we get out of this? family shadows all of this through what is not but could be if with all associated risk" Seems to be about the fear of the unknown. How do we get out of it? By carrying on unknowingly, "with all associated risk". Seems a positive message to me though, like he feels enlightened by this and he's revelling in it. That's why he keeps repeating himself.
    sickofantson April 13, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    "What was not but could have been was my obsession way back when now I just remember this what is not but could be if what is not but could be if we could be crossing this abridged abyss into beginning and failure's got you in its grasp and you're reaching for your very last vicious beginning" i think this is talking about his previous drug use and overcoming it. that's what i got out of it at least. he could be crossing into a new "sober" life and he just remembers the times when he used to "be obsessed" and held in the grasp of drugs.
    Skiptomylouon April 15, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Maybe it is very obvious. What was not, but could have been, was my obsession way back when. (he used to dwell on failures and make excuses) What is not, but could be if (that is his new motto. If you want something, don't make excuses about it, focus on how it could be if you do something about it.)
    TaShawnon April 16, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    "vicious beginning" I believe it's "It's just beginning". Great song.
    JFISHAUFon June 02, 2008   Link

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