III. Urn
Childish Gambino Lyrics

The lyrics to Childish Gambino's III. Urn are infused with deep emotion and a poetic quality that makes it ripe for interpretation. The opening lines of the song, "I watch them all pass by / The moon and stars,” can be seen as a reference to the passing of time and the changing of the seasons. Gambino is observing the world around him and how it continues to move forward despite his own personal struggles.

The following lines "Let me hold you in my arms, forevermore / These cold nights, the park is ours" create a sense of longing and desire. Gambino desires companionship and intimacy, but acknowledges the coldness and harshness of reality. The park in the night is typically empty, but with someone to share it with, it becomes a place of warmth and belonging.

The chorus "Keep holding on / Let the modest go / As my mic goes to and fro / Waking up for one more show" then shifts to a seemingly more upbeat tone. Gambino urges himself to hold onto hope and not give up, despite whatever struggles he may be facing. The line "As my mic goes to and fro / Waking up for one more show" can be read as a metaphor for life's ups and downs and the constant performance that is required of us.

Finally, the last verses "We see him in the night / Tell him I'm not afraid of him / I'm not afraid of them / 'Cause I won't know" seem to address a confrontation with death. Gambino is unafraid because he does not know what comes after death or what it truly means. He is ready to face it on his own terms.