The One You Feed
Choosing Wisely: The Battle Within
Lyrics
THE ONE YOU FEED (Kevin Danzig)
Introductory title of the song
I went to visit my grandfather's grave
Speaker's visit to their grandfather's grave
It had been so long since I had been there
Expressing a long absence from the grave
I was an angry young man
Speaker's state of being angry when the grandfather was alive
When he was alive
Reflecting on the advice not heeded when the grandfather was alive
He'd try and give me advice
Grandfather's attempt to advise the speaker
But, I wouldn't listen
Speaker's reluctance to listen to advice
I had to go out and find out for myself
Desire to gain personal experience
Until my eyes were open wide
Revelation after gaining significant experience
There is a story he used to tell
Reference to a story told by the grandfather
One that I remember well
Speaker's recollection of the story
cbout two wolves who are always at war with each other
Description of the conflict between two wolves as in the story
They live in all of us
Indication that the warring wolves exist within everyone
CHORUS
Chorus of the song
I'd ask him grandfather what's it mean?
Speaker's query to the grandfather about the meaning of the wolves
Which of my wolves will win?
Question about which wolf will prevail
Littlebird, He would say to me
Grandfather's response to the speaker's question
The one you feed
Emphasizing the importance of nurturing the desired qualities
One wolf stands for aggression and fear
Description of one wolf symbolizing negative traits
Hatred, envy and greed
Listing negative attributes associated with one of the wolves
cnd all those things that most people
Recognition of these traits as commonly perceived as evil
Think of as evil
Identification of contrasting qualities
The other wolf is as pure as the snow
Depiction of the purity and goodness of the other wolf
Freshly fallen upon the mountain top
Metaphorical description of the second wolf's purity
Some would even say God is living in his heart
Association of divine or godly attributes with the second wolf
CHORUS
Reiteration of the chorus
I'd ask him grandfather what's it mean?
Speaker's repetition of the query to the grandfather
Which of my wolves will win?
Reiteration of the question about the winning wolf
Littlebird, He would say to me
Grandfather's consistent response
The one you feed
Emphasis on the impact of one's actions
Now, I have grandchildren of my own
Speaker's current role as a grandparent
Full of wonder and question
Description of grandchildren being inquisitive
I do my best to deliver their every answer
Speaker's effort to provide answers to grandchildren
Of all the stories I tell there is one
Highlighting a particular story among many told to grandchildren
They are particularly fond of
Grandchildren's fondness for a specific story
cbout two wolves who are always at war with each other
Restatement of the conflict between two wolves
They live in everyone
Emphasis on the universality of the warring wolves
CHORUS TWO
Second chorus of the song
They ask me grandfather what's it mean?
Grandchildren's query to the speaker
Which of my wolves will win?
Reiteration of the question about the winning wolf
I tell them what was taught to me
Speaker's transmission of the taught wisdom to grandchildren
The one you feed
Reiteration of the importance of nurturing the desired qualities
The one you feed
Final line repeating the song's message
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