This Is What Lyrics

Lyric discussion by Plaugus 

Cover art for This Is What lyrics by Horse Feathers

I think I can accurately give the meaning because a lot of what is in this song is actually happening to me right now with my family, I guess depends on interpretation, but here goes:

I think the song is about family as it grows apart with age. A child grows, starts his own family, or does his own thing and drifts further from his parents and immediate family. I right now am "fruitlessly laboring for show" in my life calling my parents just to call every once in a while to acknowledge we're still here.