Existence by August Burns Red Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Depths of Human Disquietude
Lyrics
Amidst your insecurities, cover up only to coward out
And never shutting up only to never speak aloud
Have you dried up entirely?
The walls of a church don’t make it holy
It’s what’s authentic that completes the sum of it’s parts
Don’t excuse yourself from life today on the pretense of your past
You’re hurt, you’re broken, that’s alright
This might be what it takes to wake you up
This might be what it takes to wake you up
Are you at your wits end yet?
Are you at your wits end yet?
Are you at your wits end?
Are you at your wits end yet?
The walls of a church don’t make it holy
Security isn’t glitzy or glamorous, concrete or cohesive
Therein lies the truth, lift your head up high
It’s what we know we aren’t that makes us who we are
It’s what we know we aren’t that makes us who we are
You’re hurt, you’re broken, that’s alright
That makes us who we are
You’re hurt, you’re broken, that’s alright
That makes us who we are
In a world captivated by a cacophony of sound, there are still those compositions that cut through the noise, gripping the soul with equal parts discomfort and enlightenment. August Burns Red’s ‘Existence’ is one such song—a visceral exploration of inner turmoil and the haunting presence of one’s own being.
While it may appear, at first glance, that the track is steeped purely in despair, a closer, more nuanced examination reveals a journey through pain towards an acute self-awareness. ‘Existence’ not only acknowledges the shadows cast by personal demons but also celebrates the beauty of owning one’s scars as deeper facets of identity.
Dissecting The Silence Within
The opening lines of ‘Existence’ plunge into a chasm of self-awareness, where understanding one’s existence often parallels a sensation of void. The words ‘This hollow feeling, the knowledge that you exist’ are not merely a prelude to angst but a nod to the existential question that plagues many: ‘What purpose does my existence hold?’
In this contemplative state, the song confronts insecurities, the masks we wear (as suggested by ‘cover up only to coward out’), and the paradox of vocal silence despite an internal uproar (‘never shutting up only to never speak aloud’). Herein, the band captures the quintessential human struggle between expression and suppression, urging listeners to ponder whether they have become desiccated within this battle.
The Spirituality of Authenticity
One cannot ignore the striking commentary on institutional religion with the verse ‘The walls of a church don’t make it holy.’ In such haunting simplicity, August Burns Red argues that sanctity is not in structures, but in genuine experience and honest introspection.
Here, the song wields its influence, challenging the listener to break away from hiding behind a façade of spiritual pretense (‘Don’t excuse yourself from life today on the pretense of your past’). It’s a clear manifesto that the past need not be a shackle, but rather a stepping stone to embracing the present.
A Painful Awakening to Self-Discovery
In a tender moment of acknowledgment, ‘Existence’ reaches out to the wounded. ‘You’re hurt, you’re broken, that’s alright’ serves as a reminder that the fractures of our being are often the very channels through which we awaken to a fullness of life.
It’s not a glorification of pain but an acceptance that suffering is often intrinsic to the human condition. This line resonates as a powerful anthem for those in the throes of personal tribulations, suggesting that there is a purpose embedded in the pain—a catalyst for awakening.
The Song’s Hidden Epiphany
Repeated almost as a mantra, the phrase ‘It’s what we know we aren’t that makes us who we are’ encapsulates the song’s core message. It’s in our deficiencies and the honest admission of our failings that our true character is forged.
The song navigates through self-doubt and fear, only to arrive at an epiphanic acceptance. This is the pinnacle of its hidden meaning: the embracing of one’s ‘brokenness’ as an integral and beautiful part of one’s existence—an embrace that elevates the individual to a newfound realm of authenticity.
Memorable Lines that Echo in the Void
Both melodically and lyrically, ‘Existence’ is rife with lines that haunt the listener, becoming etched deep into the psyche. Lines like ‘Are you at your wits end yet?’ serve as checkpoints of introspection, prodding one to assess their current state of endurance and resilience.
The power of the song lies in its ability to resonate with the listener through a communal sense of struggle and vulnerability. Each line emanates a shared understanding of life’s complexities, thereby allowing the song to become an enduring emblem of our existential journey.
