Even the Pain
Journey Through Heartache: Yellowjackets' 'Even the Pain' Meaning
Lyrics
Three long years now, since I've seen her face
Reflecting on three years since the narrator last saw a person, presumably a woman.
Three long years now, since she left his angry place
Three years since the woman left a troubled or abusive relationship.
Destiny called her but too soon for her age
The woman faced a destiny or situation that came too early in life.
Oh if I'd, I'd only listened, she might be here today
Regret for not listening, which might have changed the course of events.
And we're all gonna ride this river
Expressing a shared journey through life's challenges.
And we're all gonna feel the rain
Anticipating difficult times symbolized by rain.
And we all take what we're given
Acceptance of life as it comes, with both joys and sorrows.
Even the pain
Philosophical acceptance of pain as an inevitable part of life.
Cold, tired and hungry, now she's movin' with the wind
Describing the woman's current difficult situation.
And all I do is worry about the pain she must be in
The narrator is worried about the woman's pain.
If only I could see you, tell me why you didn't write?
Expressing a desire to communicate with the absent woman.
Now there's no one there to defend you and I can't sleep at night
No one to defend the woman, causing sleepless nights for the narrator.
And we're all gonna ride this river
Reiteration of the shared journey through life's challenges.
And we're all gonna feel the rain
Embracing the inevitable difficulties symbolized by rain.
And we all take what we're given
Acceptance of circumstances, taking what life gives.
Even the pain
Reaffirmation of accepting pain as part of the human experience.
And we see the light before us
Hopeful acknowledgment of a brighter future despite difficulties.
Through the darkness and the shame
Recognizing the struggle through darkness and shame.
But it all breaks down, it all breaks down
Acknowledgment that everything, including pain, can break down.
Even the pain
Reiteration that even pain is subject to breakdown or resolution.
So roll on mighty river
Symbolic call for the river to continue its journey towards the sea.
Take us down to the sea
Desire for the river to cleanse and free them from troubles.
Wash away the muddy waters
Metaphorically washing away difficulties and impurities.
Set us free
Expression of a longing for freedom through the river's journey.
And we're all gonna ride this river
Repetition of the shared journey through life's challenges.
And we're all gonna feel the rain
Reaffirming the anticipation of difficult times symbolized by rain.
And we all take what we're given
Reiteration of accepting circumstances and taking what life gives.
Even the pain
Restating the philosophical acceptance of pain as part of life.
And we see the light before us
Reaffirming hope despite struggles through darkness and shame.
Through the darkness and the shame
Restating the acknowledgment of the struggle through darkness.
But it all breaks down, it all breaks down
Reiteration that everything, including pain, can break down.
Even the pain
Emphasizing the vulnerability and breakdown of even pain.
And we're all gonna ride this river
Final repetition of the shared journey through life's challenges.
And we're all gonna feel the rain
Final acknowledgment of anticipating difficult times symbolized by rain.
And we all take what we're given
Final restatement of accepting circumstances and taking what life gives.
Even the pain
Final affirmation of the philosophical acceptance of pain as part of life.
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