Lyrics
Just Can't Say
Expressing difficulty or inability to articulate something
hey little boy where you going
Questioning the direction or purpose of someone's actions
are you digging 'round where you don't belong
Warning against meddling in unfamiliar or inappropriate areas
did you bust a door just to prove yourself
Asking if breaking boundaries was done for validation or proof
well you just can't say
Reiterating the difficulty in expressing a clear judgment or opinion
did you earn your stripes in a haunted house while your daddy paid
Questioning the authenticity of achievements, especially with financial support
did you cut and run when the poison mud monster came
Asking if one fled when faced with difficult situations
did you come up lame
Inquiring about personal setbacks or failures
hey good old guy what are you doing
Questioning the activities and choices of an older person
among the roaches and the ruins
Describing a scene of decay and questioning self-awareness
do you think someone could pick you out well you just can't say
Highlighting uncertainty about one's visibility or recognition
how 'bout that yuppie yankee mouth and your sunburned face
Mentioning a person with urban characteristics and sun damage
well what if sweat and grime won't kill naivete
Contemplating whether hard work and hardship eliminate naivety
what's it gonna take
Pondering the requirements for change or realization
now hey there dude are you getting strong
Addressing someone engaged in physically demanding work
digging these ditches all day long
Asking about the motivation behind strenuous labor
did you get your kicks knocking down a wall well you wouldn't say
Questioning the satisfaction derived from destructive actions
did you find yourself trying to figure out why you ever came
Exploring existential doubts and self-reflection
did you find your heart in all the danger death and pain
Asking about finding emotional depth in challenging experiences
are you just the same
Raising questions about personal growth and change
and nice young man do you feel lost
Addressing a young man and questioning his sense of direction
between the haves and the have-nots
Highlighting societal disparities and personal conflict
will you turn your back on all you got it's hard to say
Asking about potential abandonment of one's values
when you see the misery that it brought a bit too late
Reflecting on the consequences of neglect or indifference
no toxic water gonna wash your life away
Rejecting the idea that avoiding problems will protect one's life
you look the other way
Observing willful ignorance or turning away from issues
hey buddy boy you done just fine
Commending someone for completing a task or time served
sucked in your gut and did your time
Recognizing effort and sacrifice but questioning impact
tell me what difference did it make well you just can't say
Challenging the significance or meaningfulness of past actions
are you worried now that you didn't help but you took away
Expressing concern about the unintended negative consequences
well mom and dad say these things always go that way
Quoting parental wisdom about the inevitability of certain outcomes
don't it ever change
Commenting on the perceived lack of change or improvement
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