Older Chests Lyrics

Lyric discussion by GracieLou83 

Cover art for Older Chests lyrics by Damien Rice

I gained a new perspective when listening to this song the other night... although I have heard this song many times before, a heard a different, deeper meaning to the song. I may be totally out in left field... but this is what I heard:

Older chests reveal themselves (Problems, depression, etc. we have and hide from others) Like a crack in a wall
Starting small, and grow in time (if they aren't resolved, they will grow) And we always seem to need the help (the only true remedy is to be open to a 'dark night' of your Of someone else soul, you must face your problems) To mend that shelf (shelf being the soul) Too many books (books = things Western society avoid talking about) Read me your favourite line (he is offering an ear to listen)

Papa went to other lands (Eastern philosophies are more open to spirituality and growth And he found someone who understands (and embracing life's difficulties as an opportunity to grow) The ticking, and the western man's need to cry (Ticking = fast paced, Westerners using He came back the other day, you know (prescription drugs for just about everything Some things in life may change (instead of embracing and facing life fully) And some things They stay the same

Like time, there's always time (he is saying he is okay with his depression or On my mind (whatever he is currently dealing with and to let So pass me by, I'll be fine (him be, because he just needs time to work through it) Just give me time

Older gents sit on the fence With their cap in hand Looking grand They watch their city change (older generation seeing so much change) Children scream, or so it seems, (children with A.D.D., etc... hyperactivity, seems Louder than before (so many children are diagnoses with disorders and are Out of doors, and into stores with bigger names (on prescriptions, they are taught to not express) Mama tried to wash their faces
But these kids they lost their graces (divine grace) And daddy lost at the races too many times (addiction)

She broke down the other day, yeah you know Some things in life may change (no matter what, the need to cry is necessary) But some things they stay the same

Like time, there's always time On my mind So pass me by, I'll be fine Just give me time Time, there's always time On my mind Pass me by, I'll be fine Just give me time