This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
It is not love, if love is cold to touch
It is not belief, when there's nothing there to trust
Could not submit, would never bring myself to heel
Determination grows, as each truth's revealed
Torn and repaired, just to endure it all again
Without a reason, for my place in all this pain
Though well concealed, the scars they just compound
Until there's nothing left of what was my former self
My god, look at what we are now
Without regret for all the things that we have done
Thank you for all the doubts, and for all the questioning
For all the loneliness and for all the suffering
For all the emptiness, and the scars it left inside
It inspired in me, an impetus to fight
For the conviction, for the purpose found along
For the strength and courage, that in me I've never known
And if it seems to you, that my words are undeserved
I write this in gratitude for whatever good it serves
Sometimes I wish, that you could see me now
In the rightful place, where I knew that I belonged
Sometimes I wish, that you might someday understand
And close the chapter, and lay to rest the past
But nothing would change, we make the best of what we have
For we are measured by the actions of our lives
We bide our time, let the future unfold
Like immortals, in great legends to be told
My god, look at what we are now
Without regret for all the things that we have done
Thank you for all the doubts, and for all the questioning
For all the loneliness and for all the suffering
For all the emptiness, and the scars it left inside
It inspired in me, an impetus to fight
To all who stood with me, when we stood as one
Thank you for guiding me, for bringing me home
And if it seems that I'm obliged to say these words
I write this in gratitude, the least that you deserve
It is not belief, when there's nothing there to trust
Could not submit, would never bring myself to heel
Determination grows, as each truth's revealed
Torn and repaired, just to endure it all again
Without a reason, for my place in all this pain
Though well concealed, the scars they just compound
Until there's nothing left of what was my former self
My god, look at what we are now
Without regret for all the things that we have done
Thank you for all the doubts, and for all the questioning
For all the loneliness and for all the suffering
For all the emptiness, and the scars it left inside
It inspired in me, an impetus to fight
For the conviction, for the purpose found along
For the strength and courage, that in me I've never known
And if it seems to you, that my words are undeserved
I write this in gratitude for whatever good it serves
Sometimes I wish, that you could see me now
In the rightful place, where I knew that I belonged
Sometimes I wish, that you might someday understand
And close the chapter, and lay to rest the past
But nothing would change, we make the best of what we have
For we are measured by the actions of our lives
We bide our time, let the future unfold
Like immortals, in great legends to be told
My god, look at what we are now
Without regret for all the things that we have done
Thank you for all the doubts, and for all the questioning
For all the loneliness and for all the suffering
For all the emptiness, and the scars it left inside
It inspired in me, an impetus to fight
To all who stood with me, when we stood as one
Thank you for guiding me, for bringing me home
And if it seems that I'm obliged to say these words
I write this in gratitude, the least that you deserve
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I think this song is pretty transparent. It's a story of finding growth in pain and hardship. Sometimes the people that hurt you the worst are actually doing you the greatest good in the end, if you can make yourself better for it.
I think that one part in the chorus is "for the purpose found along".
Def. a song to the universe, and the people in one's life, thanking for all hard lessons learned from pain and suffering. It's a great step in spiritual growth.
It's "purpose found alone"
To me, there's only one person being thanked. Ones former self.
Everything about the lyrics says that it's coming from a place in ones life of contentment. It's an embracing of that person we were at some low point or chapter in our (my) life. Telling that person who I'm sometimes ashamed or embarrassed of that "you were strong, you were brave, you held on". The phrase "my god, look at what WE are now" is an acknowledgement of the fact that he and I are one.
@ekim Thank you for posting this. I usually don't see a new interpretation when I read these comments but I believe you nailed it.
Perhaps this is also more of a personal thank you, from the band to all "those who stood with me when we stood as one" all the people who believed in them through the hard times, maybe even the fans without whose support they wouldn't have made it. "Look at what we are now", "And if it seems to you that my words are undeserved I write this in gratitude" perhaps?
I was at the show last night and Ronan Harris said: "Most people think this is a very cynical song. It couldn't be farther from the truth. I mean this song exactly how it sounds. Because without all the assholes that stood in our way, we wouldn't be where we are today."
This is a resume of the history in the XX century.