To What End
[Thrice] Lyrics
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Proceed so boldly
If all we are is
Chemical reactions
And what world have you
Deftly sold me
If you reduce me
No heart to love
No evil to rise up above
No angels and no ghosts
No real victories to toast
If you believe that this is true
Then I must ask
To what end do you proceed
No fire in our eyes
No steel in our hearts
No magic in our songs
Are we just empty vessels
Did I not feel your love
Did I not feel your hate
And did my heart not beat
And did my heart not break
And are these tears for naught
And are these worlds in vain
If this is all we are then what
Have we to gain
What of all the art and books
Music and poetry
What of all our memories
What of our hopes and dreams
They hold no value then
We hold no faith but greed
So I must ask you
To what end do we proceed?
In the song "To What End" by Thrice, the lyrics question the purpose of human existence and the meaning of life. The first verse questions why humans proceed so boldly if all we are is chemical reactions, suggesting that if we believe we have no soul, no heart, no good or evil, then what is the point of living at all? The chorus repeats the phrase "to what end do we proceed", asking if there is a greater purpose.
The second verse questions the existence of passion and purpose in life. If we are just "empty vessels" with no fire in our eyes, steel in our hearts or magic in our songs, then what is the point of life? The bridge suggests that emotions such as love, hate, and the pain of a broken heart are felt by all humans. If our tears, art and memories are all for nothing, then what value does life hold?
Overall, the song questions the very essence of human existence, whether there is a greater purpose in life, or whether we are simply just chemical reactions with no soul or value. It reminds us to stop and consider what end we are pursuing in life.
Line by Line Meaning
To what end do we
For what reason do we
Proceed so boldly
Move forward with such confidence
If all we are is
Considering that we are only
Chemical reactions
Biological responses to stimuli
And what world have you
What reality have you created
Deftly sold me
Persuaded me skillfully
If you reduce me
If you diminish me to
If I have no soul to touch
If I am without a spirit to connect with
No heart to love
No center for emotions
No evil to rise up above
Without challenges to overcome
No angels and no ghosts
No heavenly beings or departed souls
No real victories to toast
No significant accomplishments to celebrate
If you believe that this is true
If you accept this as factual
Then I must ask
Then I must inquire
To what end do you proceed
Why do you continue forward
No fire in our eyes
Lack of passion or inspiration
No steel in our hearts
Absence of courage and determination
No magic in our songs
No enchantment or enchantment in our music
Are we just empty vessels
Are we only hollow containers
Did I not feel your love
Did I not sense your affection
Did I not feel your hate
Did I not sense your animosity
And did my heart not beat
And was not my heart pulsating
And did my heart not break
And was it not damaged
And are these tears for naught
And are these tears meaningless
And are these worlds in vain
And are these realities pointless
If this is all we are then what
If this is our entire existence, then what
Have we to gain
Is there anything to attain
What of all the art and books
What about all the artistic creations and literature
Music and poetry
Melodies and verse
What of all our memories
What of our recollections
What of our hopes and dreams
What about our aspirations
They hold no value then
They then have no worth
We hold no faith but greed
We have no trust other than desire for more
So I must ask you
So I am compelled to ask you
To what end do we proceed?
For what reason do we continue forward?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DUSTIN MICHAEL KENSRUE, EDWARD CARRINGTON BRECKENRIDGE, JAMES RILEY BRECKENRIDGE, TEPPEI TERANISHI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind