I'll first say that this song is pure poetry. Absolutely beautiful.
I think the song is actually supposed to be rather uplifting. It is a man's recollection of his life up until this point (this song), and the resolution he makes over the course of singing this song.
The man remembers his life when he was younger: he was a lovely boy who made people happy (handing out the proverbial smiles), when, one day, he is faced with some (or maybe THE) cold, hard fact of life. He never forgets that cold, hard fact, but he decides to give life the finger and work his best to keep bringing happiness to others.
Then he sings this song, which signifies a resolution, of sorts:
He comes to a point in his life when he feels hopeless and worn out- why continue? But he also remembers how easy life changed him, and (I think) becomes angry, probably indignant. He thinks,
"When I was younger, I fought the shit life threw at me and at others and tried to help others and make them happy(/ier). I can't believe life tried to stop me, I can't believe I let it get to me, and, now that I think of it, I can't believe I'm letting it get to me now. I did this when I was younger, and now (I've resolved) I will keep doing this now that I'm older."
The song is about doing good, getting shit for it from the metaphorical big man upstairs (situationally dependent), saying "Fuck you," and pushing on.
I'll first say that this song is pure poetry. Absolutely beautiful.
I think the song is actually supposed to be rather uplifting. It is a man's recollection of his life up until this point (this song), and the resolution he makes over the course of singing this song.
The man remembers his life when he was younger: he was a lovely boy who made people happy (handing out the proverbial smiles), when, one day, he is faced with some (or maybe THE) cold, hard fact of life. He never forgets that cold, hard fact, but he decides to give life the finger and work his best to keep bringing happiness to others.
Then he sings this song, which signifies a resolution, of sorts: He comes to a point in his life when he feels hopeless and worn out- why continue? But he also remembers how easy life changed him, and (I think) becomes angry, probably indignant. He thinks,
"When I was younger, I fought the shit life threw at me and at others and tried to help others and make them happy(/ier). I can't believe life tried to stop me, I can't believe I let it get to me, and, now that I think of it, I can't believe I'm letting it get to me now. I did this when I was younger, and now (I've resolved) I will keep doing this now that I'm older."
The song is about doing good, getting shit for it from the metaphorical big man upstairs (situationally dependent), saying "Fuck you," and pushing on.