Where You're Going
From Struggles to Triumph: Embracing the Journey
Lyrics
When I was in college my class went on a trip
Reflecting on a college trip to a facility for delinquent kids.
To a place down the road where the county kept delinquent kids
Describing the location visited, where troubled youth were kept.
An old man with a badge said to the class
An old man with a badge speaks to the class.
"And here we have all kinds of trash"
The old man describes the residents as "trash."
I could not believe what I just heard
The narrator is shocked by the old man's judgmental words.
At first I wasn't gonna say a word
Initially hesitant to respond to the old man's comment.
It's not where you been, it's where you're going
Emphasizing the importance of future direction over past experiences.
It's not who you were back then, it's who you are at this moment
Highlighting personal growth and identity in the present.
Kinda like looking at an old photograph, remembering way back when
Comparing life to an old photograph, reminiscing about the past.
It's not where you been, it's where you're going
Reiterating the focus on the future rather than the past.
I said, "Excuse me, sir, I know you won't remember me
The narrator introduces themselves to the old man, recalling their troubled past.
But try to imagine how I looked when I'd just turned 15
Asking the old man to envision their appearance at age 15.
Defiant, scared and confused, dirty clothes and tattoos
Describing the narrator's past state: defiant, scared, confused, with tattoos and dirty clothes.
With nothing really left to lose, you see the last door on the right?
Detailing the narrator's sense of having nothing to lose.
Sir, that door used to be mine"
Revealing that the narrator was once behind the last door on the right.
It's not where you been, it's where you're going
Repeating the theme of focusing on future endeavors.
It's not who were back then, it's who you are at this moment
Reiterating the importance of current identity over past actions.
Kinda like looking at an old photograph, remembering way back when
Continuing the metaphor of life as an old photograph.
It's not where you been, it's where you're going
Stressing the significance of where one is heading in life.
We all have a story we can tell
Acknowledging that everyone has a unique life story.
Some's been lost, some hurt, some of us have been through hell
Highlighting diverse experiences, including loss and hardship.
Well, the past is a ghost, a door that's been closed
Viewing the past as a closed door, emphasizing the start of a new journey.
The start of a winding road and I know without a doubt
Expressing confidence in the road ahead despite past challenges.
That doesn't matter now
Asserting that the past no longer matters.
It's not where you been, it's where you're going
Repeating the message of focusing on future prospects.
It's not who you were back then, it's who you are at this moment
Emphasizing the importance of present identity over past selves.
Kinda like looking at an old photograph, remembering way back when
Continuing the analogy of life as an old photograph.
Oh yeah, it's not where you been, no, it's not where you've been
Underlining that the significance lies in where one is going, not where one has been.
It's where you're going
Reiterating the central theme: the importance of future direction.
It's where you're going, it's where you're going
Further emphasizing the focus on the future.
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