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At The Last Lyrics

At The Last

It's a shame that some must go without
I was no fool to think it might be my problem
Needy hands were reaching out
Kept my spare change and my pride in a tight fist

Now at the last
Everything has changed in the pale light
That death is cast on all I've done

I'm a good man on the whole
Who can blame me for looking out for number one
Never killed, I never stole
A small indulgence now and then
So what of it?
I'm a good man, Am I good man? I thought I was

The rewards of this life now count for naught
My body soon buried and left to rot
Good times gone how quickly it all has past
My God now I see how I've squandered each and every breathe

Now at the last
Everything has changed in the pale light
That death is cast on all I've done
Now at the last
Everything has changed in the pale light
Looking back I am undone
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Cover art for At The Last lyrics by Thrice

first of all dustin is a follower of jesus christ. but i think all the arguing about that pisses him off. we are missing the point. he is being blunt and honest because people don't care about other people. christian or not. the point is we are really caught up in ourselves. we think it is enough to be "good" but we forget that that means putting others before ourselves. its all about love p.s. jesus talks about this alot

Cover art for At The Last lyrics by Thrice

I believe banner9588 has got it.

This song screams Christianity. I believe it isn't just about doing more good and generous things-- though I can understand that interpretation from a secular perspective.

But IMO Its about an individual that not only has lived for himself, but he has denied God for his selfish pride and the temporal. He has no fear of God because he's lived his life comparing himself to others in this world.

But what I think Dustin is trying to portray is that good works isn't the issue, because we all fall short of the biblical model. We can't earn our salvation, and compare ourselves to others, we need to deny ourselves and realize that Christ has payed the penalty for our sins on the cross. In fact, the bible regards our best work as "filthy rags" before God.

I believe Dustin is trying to say WHAT IF the biblical model is correct? Then anyone who thinks that good works or "all I've done" can earn them salvation is sadly mistaken when we meet our maker.

Of course, being as though it is Dustin, it can, and may, simply be about denying personal hedonism and living more for others over self.

Cover art for At The Last lyrics by Thrice

I think Beggars is a good album. For me it gets increasingly better with every listen but I'm not too sure about this song yet. I think the meaning is simple in that the things we seek most aren't worth much in the afterlife. As an atheist I think it is tough to relate to this song. Thrice is obviously a religious band or at least expresses aspects of faith in their music but I think this song may be a bit of overkill. Musically it's an okay song, sounds very similar to some of their work on their fire disc but I'm not sure if I'm sold on this song quite yet.

You don't have to be religious to relate to this song. Hell, this is one of the most agnostic/secular songs that Dustin has ever written. There's no mention of God, and there's not even any actual discussion of the afterlife.

The song is really about what defines a life as a success or as a waste. The speaker has spent his life in denial of what really matters - humility, relationships, the treatment of others, and so on - and has been "looking out for number one." (These are obviously important principles in Christian teachings, but those...

Not Valid

Can't edit my previous post, but there is one mention of God when he says "My God now I see how I've squandered each and every breath"... I still think my point stands, though, as it's mostly used as an expression of surprise and regret there. And even if the speaker is religious, the message still isn't, because he's not necessarily being judged by God here; he's actually judging himself, and the only punishment he receives is the knowledge of a life lived without purpose or meaning.

Not Valid
Cover art for At The Last lyrics by Thrice

yeah. reading the first verse, i think dustin probably let it get a bit out of control. seems like it had a bit of a "cold cash" vibe lyrically.

Cover art for At The Last lyrics by Thrice

Wow, you really think he went over the top with spiritually? I think he has written WAY more over the top songs in that sense. Well that's your opinion. Cool.

It sounds to me like this song is about a man in the afterlife standing and looking back while being judged and he thought what he had done was fine, nothing wrong that was to big or drastic, just small things that no one cares about in his opinion. But does it really matter in the end? Sin is sin. All the stuff he had worked to accomplish and acquired now means nothing whether it was material or not. He is dead and gone and no one cares anymore. The world had moved on and left his memory behind. He thought he had lived a good life, but now looking back he is filled with regret and feels he actually wasted his life on quests for things that didn't really matter.

I don't consider myself religious very much anymore but I understand religions and this song makes sense to me in that sense in the Christian faith. Anyone else get that from this?

wow dude...i feel sorry for you...your interpretation in your second paragraph appears to be pretty good in the fact that you should be religious, or maybe not so much "religious" per se, but someone who believes in a higher being, or supernatural being, or afterlife. it appears to me that you see the uselessness of striving toward success here on earth. (based off your interpretation of this song)

what could possibly of happen in your life for you to say that you don't consider yourself religious ANYMORE? (implying that you were before) (and also that "IT...

Not Valid

with all love of course dnask8...i'm just lloking for some good conversation with some good people, who love good music

cheerslovepeace

Not Valid
Cover art for At The Last lyrics by Thrice

I don't think it matters if you are an atheist or not.

He's pointing out that you may consider yourself good simply because you didn't do anything bad. Someone might not have killed or stole, but they never helped those who needed help, or tried to make the world a better place. It doesn't have to be someone dead looking back, it could be someone about to die seeing life's pleasures as pointless.

Cover art for At The Last lyrics by Thrice

Exposing the sinful nature of humans. We may think we are good people. We've never killed, we may have never stolen anything. But either way-we are still sinners. We are just humans, and we are not as good as we think. Just my thoughts on this song, nobody has to agree with me.

My Interpretation
Cover art for At The Last lyrics by Thrice

I agree completely with mofoapoo; he's looking back on his life and seeing that he didn't do anything bad, but he didn't do anything great either.

Cover art for At The Last lyrics by Thrice

"My God now I see how I've squandered each and every breathe"

This song seems to be about being a good steward of what God has given you in this life. It is not about oneself, it is about God and your Neighbor (everyone else).

In the end, the voice in this song finds that they have lead a meaningless life. They have no legacy. They have not left anything to those around them. The good times have passed and every selfish thing that had been the sole focus is now undone.

Sacrificing significance for self (success).

Cover art for At The Last lyrics by Thrice

A song of man who thought he was a good but the harsh reality was hidden away that all of his treasures, all his trials, all his life, basically meant nothing. Now here he is at death and he realizes that everything is meaningless under the sun. I'm wondering if Dustin reads Ecclesiastes a little too much lol. Have to agree with him. I'm not even religious but religious ideals appeal very strongly. Death is coming, what have you done to show for yourself.