84 Meanings
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A
The World I Know Lyrics
Has our conscience shown?
Has the sweet breeze blown?
Has all the kindness gone?
Hope still lingers on.
I drink myself of newfound pity
Sitting alone in New York City
And I don't know why.
Are we listening
To hymns of offering?
Have we eyes to see
That love is gathering?
All the words that I've been reading
Have now started the act of bleeding
Into one.
So I walk up on high
And I step to the edge
To see my world below.
And I laugh at myself
As the tears roll down.
'Cause it's the world I know.
It's the world I know.
Has the sweet breeze blown?
Has all the kindness gone?
Hope still lingers on.
I drink myself of newfound pity
Sitting alone in New York City
And I don't know why.
To hymns of offering?
Have we eyes to see
That love is gathering?
All the words that I've been reading
Have now started the act of bleeding
Into one.
And I step to the edge
To see my world below.
And I laugh at myself
As the tears roll down.
'Cause it's the world I know.
It's the world I know.
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
A few months ago I was as low as I have ever been. Everything in my life was going wrong. I decided that the only thing for me to do is to kill myself. I decided that I would jump off my appartment roof. Then I heard this song and the lyrics made me change my mind. To me this song is about some guy that was at his personal low, and when he was about to take the jump, he realized that he knows this world and so he changed his mind because the world isn't that bad after all.
Good job Tarvis that u decided to stay alive. I agree music is a great mood enhancer. Playing the guitar & singing is something I do to make life richer & more meaningful. All the best. C.
Good job Tarvis that u decided to stay alive. I agree music is a great mood enhancer. Playing the guitar & singing is something I do to make life richer & more meaningful. All the best. C.
This song is about losing hope in humanity and the world. It's that moment when you realize that no matter how much good in the world there could be, its blanketed with negativity. It's so sad that it's kind of funny. Humanity has the potential of love and empathy, yet most choose greed and hatred. It's the world I know versus the world that could be.
I completely agree. People have consumed themselves and plagued their minds with irrationalities and materialism so much that they have diminished their minds of positive behaviors and emotions that would otherwise come naturally. Self-contentment is the only resolution to this problem and is as likely as achieving "world peace".
I completely agree. People have consumed themselves and plagued their minds with irrationalities and materialism so much that they have diminished their minds of positive behaviors and emotions that would otherwise come naturally. Self-contentment is the only resolution to this problem and is as likely as achieving "world peace".
LOOK, PLEASE PUT ON UR BIG GIRL AND OR BIG BOY PANTIES PEOPLE! i'M NOT EVEN GONNA TRY TO BLOW SMOKE UP ALL UR "COLLECTIVE" ASSES! U BET THERE R SOME F**KED INDIVIDUALS IN THE WORLD WE LIVE IN! I'VE HAD THE MISFORTUNE OF RUNNING ACROSS A FEW OF THEM MYSELF, ESPECIALLY WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL! I HAD MY INNOCENCE STOLEN FROM ME BY A FEW "MONSTERS" OVER A 5 YR PERIOD! BUT I SURVIVED IT! I LOST A MOST WANTED BABY WHEN I WAS A FEW MONTHS ALONG...BUT GOD BLESSED ME AND I GAVE BIRTH TO 2...
LOOK, PLEASE PUT ON UR BIG GIRL AND OR BIG BOY PANTIES PEOPLE! i'M NOT EVEN GONNA TRY TO BLOW SMOKE UP ALL UR "COLLECTIVE" ASSES! U BET THERE R SOME F**KED INDIVIDUALS IN THE WORLD WE LIVE IN! I'VE HAD THE MISFORTUNE OF RUNNING ACROSS A FEW OF THEM MYSELF, ESPECIALLY WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL! I HAD MY INNOCENCE STOLEN FROM ME BY A FEW "MONSTERS" OVER A 5 YR PERIOD! BUT I SURVIVED IT! I LOST A MOST WANTED BABY WHEN I WAS A FEW MONTHS ALONG...BUT GOD BLESSED ME AND I GAVE BIRTH TO 2 AMAZING DAUGHTERS! NOT TO MENTION THE KIDS THAT I'VE TAKEN INTO MY HEART 'N HOME THAT STILL CALL ME MAMA! AND I HAVE TO SAY THE MOST DEVASTATING LOSS IN MY LIFE WAS WATCHING MY MAMA LOSE HER BATTLE WITH CANCER! BUT EVEN THAT, I SURVIVED! I GOT TO DO THE MOST UNSELFISH THING I'VE EVER DONE IN MY LIFE, AT THAT TIME! I TOLD MY BELOVED MAMA TO LET GO...NOT TO SUFFER FOR ME OR ANYONE ELSE! AT THAT MOMENT SHE SMILED AND FOR THE 1ST TIME IN MONTHS THERE WAS NO SIGN OF PAIN IN HER BEAUTIFUL BLUE EYES! SHE WHISPERED TO ME, 'THANK YOU BABY, I HOPE U KNOW THAT I KNOW THE COURAGE AND LOVE IT TOOK FOR YOU TO SAY THOSE WORDS TO ME. I LEANED DOWN AND KISSED HER FOREHEAD, SHE WHISPERED, "I SAW HIM, SWEETIE"! I SAID, WHO DID U SEE MAMA? HER FACE GLOWED WITH JOY AND SHE SAID, "JESUS, MY SAVIOR! SHE SAID "HE HAD HIS ARMS WIDE OPEN AND HE SAID 'COME HOME MY PRECIOUS CHILD'! ISN'T IT SO IRONIC THAT FROM SUCH A DEVASTATING THING, LOSING MY MAMA, I COULD FEEL SUCH PEACE AND JOY! SO...I PUT ON MY OWN BIG GIRL PANTIES AND I SURVIVED! I ACCEPT ALL THE HURT I'VE FELT, BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN MOMENTS OF SUCH PURE JOY THAT GOD HAS BLESSED ME WITH! SO I WALK UP ON HIGH AND I STEP TO THE EDGE TO SEE MY WORLD BELOW...AND I LAUGH AT MYSELF, WHILE THE TEARS ROLL DOWN...CAUSE IT'S THE WORLD I KNOW...OH IT'S THE WORLD I KNOW!
@OldBalance very beautifully put! I couldn\'t quite put it into words but you nailed it!
@OldBalance very beautifully put! I couldn\'t quite put it into words but you nailed it!
I think the song is about someone reflecting on their surroundings or just everyday life and society. The part when he "walked up on high" I think he stood at the edge of a building top either to jump off until he realized that this is the world he is used to and decided to live with it and love it, or he just stood up there for the natural high and to see the whole city before his eyes and how beautiful it really is. I really like the part where it says "All the words I've been reading have now started the act of bleeding into one" I think it's saying that all the things that have happened to him along the way are finally starting to make sense and the go together to help him out. All just my opinion.
And I admire ur opinion.... Luv Collective Soul & Agree :)
And I admire ur opinion.... Luv Collective Soul & Agree :)
I respect everyone's interpretation and or opinion. Perhaps you're an idealist, or just a golly good natured and positive person. But don't you see the contrast of the vents that unfolded? The way it all played out, the sequences, Our perception is reality. This person is spent like all of us become at one time or another. Regardless, he's seen his better days. OKAY SERIOSULY YEAH, IT SHOWS THE THOUGHTS OF SOMEONES MIND THAT IS JUST FED UP PERIOD. WHETHER IT'S DEPRESSION, HEAR BREAK, DIVIRCE, JOB LOSS. they've HAD ENOUGH. okay I'm being silly but oh so serious. I'm narrating...
I respect everyone's interpretation and or opinion. Perhaps you're an idealist, or just a golly good natured and positive person. But don't you see the contrast of the vents that unfolded? The way it all played out, the sequences, Our perception is reality. This person is spent like all of us become at one time or another. Regardless, he's seen his better days. OKAY SERIOSULY YEAH, IT SHOWS THE THOUGHTS OF SOMEONES MIND THAT IS JUST FED UP PERIOD. WHETHER IT'S DEPRESSION, HEAR BREAK, DIVIRCE, JOB LOSS. they've HAD ENOUGH. okay I'm being silly but oh so serious. I'm narrating everything. This is sum serious shit and life changing lyrics (all bullshit aside) He finally realizes that it's life it's not always easy, but when it is or when things go right than you really appreciate the value of life........
In Addition what kind of rodeo are you all running here? I mean this is considered the best comment and all. He was about to end his shit and had a moment of clarity and or self-realization , akas self defining moment and right of passage. The beauty of the world and he realized everything was going to be alright.
In Addition what kind of rodeo are you all running here? I mean this is considered the best comment and all. He was about to end his shit and had a moment of clarity and or self-realization , akas self defining moment and right of passage. The beauty of the world and he realized everything was going to be alright.
I think people should be thanking the people that made this song happen. If it wasnt for it, there would be 2 people gone... and probably more that arent here. The world isnt so bad as the song states..... just aslong as we have music.
The following is NOT RELIGIOUS...it is merely an attempt to describe the lyrics in "spiritual" terms that are affirmed and/or otherwise supported by the New Testament. It in no way detracts and/or otherwise passes judgment upon anyone's beliefs and is NOT a disparagement of any religion.
To each his own.
It is conveyed with the simple purpose of helping to "enlighten" those who seek peace and tranquility in a "fallen world" full of desperation and fear.
May it be an encouragement for you to ask, seek and knock on the door that resides within us all. May you be blessed with a reverence for all life and be selfless in all of your actions.
"Are we listening"....remain quiet and still and listen and hear the inner voice within you.
"To the hymns of offering?"...."Prevenient Grace"...bestowed upon the world as a counselor/comforter (The Holy Spirit) promised by Jesus in all 4 Gospels and in the Book of Acts. This occurred 50 days after Jesus death; His subsequent resurrection and exactly 7 after His second ascension.
The Pentecost was exactly 50 days after His death. The in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit is available to ALL who accept and confess with their lips that Jesus is LORD. Book of Acts 16:31 and Romans 10:9.
"Have we eyes to see"....Being spiritual blind and deaf ; we can finally see this world and our life through a new consciousness upon the "in-dwelling" of the Holy Spirit. Awake O Sleeper and Rise Up from the Dead and Christ will give you the light is described in the book of Ephesians.
"That love is gathering"....all who have the "in-dwelling" of the Holy Spirit know each other as brothers and sisters of our Heavenly Father and also our Saviour and LORD; Jesus. True love; is described in 1 Corinthians Chapter 13. It's referred to as Agape; not Phileo, Amore or Eros! Love NEVER fails! (1 Cor. 13:8).
"All the words that I've been reading"...references the "Book of Life"; New Testament...often found in hotel rooms placed by there by the Gideons. Non-denominational dedicated society to distribute Bibles. II Timothy Ch 3:16 VERIFIES that it contains God's Word and that it does have GREAT POWER!
"Have started the act of bleeding into ONE"...Once the "in-dwelling" of the Holy Spirit occurs; we become one with our Heavenly Father, Saviour and LORD (Jesus). Often referred to as the "Trinity". Refer to Book of Colossians Ch. 1:27; Gospel of John Ch. 14:17.
The rest of the lyrics describe the "epiphany" and resultant NEW perspective that occurs as a result of the "in-dwelling" of the Holy Spirit. Both great sadness and joy combined. Known as "conversion" or being born again of "Water and Spirit" as described in the Gospel of John Chapter 3...verse 5.
@BeachComberFlorida Interesting thoughts. I am a believer so I am intrigued by many of their songs.
@BeachComberFlorida Interesting thoughts. I am a believer so I am intrigued by many of their songs.
@BeachComberFlorida
@BeachComberFlorida
I always thought of similar definition. Amazing how the Holy Spirit helps us discern songs
I always thought of similar definition. Amazing how the Holy Spirit helps us discern songs
@BeachComberFlorida
@BeachComberFlorida
Very well explained! Those who don’t know the Lord will miss that! Kudos!
Very well explained! Those who don’t know the Lord will miss that! Kudos!
Not all the songs are religious, such as this one. However, on the note of videos and their respective songs, the video may not even reflect the song in any way.
Anyway, compared to What's this Life For by Creed and Jumper by Third eye Blind, this is the only suicide-themed song from the the perspective of the person trying to kill himself. However, those are the only three suicide songs I know (in English at least).
Stuff I liked from the video: the blue tint that made the video so sad and gloomy, and how the lighting shifted into something brighter when the jumper changed his mind. Hope-inspiring imagery...
Not sure if I'm the only one on this - I know the song was written long before 9/11, but the lyrics always make me think of how New Yorkers felt such contradictory emotions of being both alone and united after the attacks.
Some of the lines remind me of how the rest of the nation and much of the world offered help and sympathy ("Are we listening To hymns of offering? Have we eyes to see That love is gathering?"), but a lot of New Yorkers had to deal with the grief in their own way. It also weirdly makes sense with the "all the words that I've been reading" line - yeah, we read all the stories in the papers but it was still all so hard to make sense of, hard to wrap our minds around and accept. They really did all kind of blur into one, mentally.
And then at the end, finally, there's that moment of realization that even after the most unimaginable grief, there can be a kind of redemption, a gratitude that you're alive, and a gradual recognition of how all that's so essentially "New York" about the city is still there, and that's what saw us through.
@fraggle944 yes, I can see that. I was wondering with the line 'I drink myself a new found pity (possibly the loss of a loved one or a breakup feeling sorry for himself) all alone in NY city. Then laughing as he looks down at all the people and rethinks it because he knows the city....in NY city, who could possibly be alone? As the people conjoin below. Love is gathering.
@fraggle944 yes, I can see that. I was wondering with the line 'I drink myself a new found pity (possibly the loss of a loved one or a breakup feeling sorry for himself) all alone in NY city. Then laughing as he looks down at all the people and rethinks it because he knows the city....in NY city, who could possibly be alone? As the people conjoin below. Love is gathering.
Hey you guys. Im not saying that any of you are wrong, but I have always thought diff. Now dont reffer to the video when I say this but just the lyrics. I've always thought that it was talking about Jesus being dissapointed in himself, and what his world has become.
So I walk up on high And I step to the edge To see my world below. And I laugh at myself As the tears roll down. 'Cause it's the world I know. It's the world I know.
Think about it...
Ed's mom bought my daughter an x-mas gift last year. Random.
At first I thought it was about ending it all. Then realized it's about hope. Imo.