Existential Hero
311 Lyrics


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Whole world! From the high country to the bottom of the sea
I caught a place that I needed to be
It comes and it goes, the momentary glory
Then, quick as they came they're down the drain
Another one coming from a shallow place will not remain
Remember when what was possible would never end
Now we abide by limits I cannot defend It fits good and yet
The best we reject
You get what you get I guess don't get upset

Where is that garden of Eden
Under stars and the trees and
And so far, so far from the heathens
Planets follow patterns, all stars into seasons
Flowing like a river we broaden and deepen

Where is that garden of Eden
Under stars and the trees and
And so far, so far from the heathens
Planets follow patterns, all stars into seasons
Flowing like a river we broaden and deepen

Hold on, before we are gone
Got lots to do but time with you, keeps on sliding
And I keep on blowing a fuse, there you go
Unseen, your face in the screen
I feel your attention dividing
But this is worth more than the news

Prepare to bare all, I paint the cave walls
I am the hobbit with the ring in the forest
I am the richest I am the poorest
A particle I vibe I just keep dancin'
I move from this world into a mansion
Of light and love as below and above
I chart the planets and the whales migration
I'm home everywhere I run the station
The last light of a dying star
In every game I am that wild card
I participate I'm paleolithic
And geology and astrophysics
A true cowboy existential hero
I compiled that deck and named it tarot
I'm in play I give me the ball
I'm that man with amnesia then sudden recall

Hold on, before we are gone
Got lots to do but time with you, keeps on sliding
And I keep on blowing a fuse, there you go
Unseen, your face in the screen
I feel your attention dividing
But this is worth more than the news

Somehow I fell
Into it all again, it all again
Somehow I fell into it all again
It all makes sense
Somehow I fell into it all again




It all make sense
Somehow it was here all along

Overall Meaning

In "Existential Hero," 311 explores the universal themes of existence, time, and purpose. The lyrics describe a journey from the high country to the bottom of the sea, searching for a place to be. The singer reminisces about a time when everything seemed possible and limitless, but now faces the harsh reality of life's limitations that he cannot defend. Even so, the lyrics encourage holding on to moments with loved ones, even if time keeps slipping away.


The song references the Garden of Eden, a symbol of a utopian state of being. The lyrics imply that this paradise is somewhere far from "the heathens," and the planets flow like a river. The singer meditates on existence and searches for an understanding of why we are here. As he paints cave walls, he identifies himself as both the richest and poorest person, and he charts the planets and the whales' migration. He becomes a cowboy existential hero who is simultaneously everywhere and nowhere.


Overall, "Existential Hero" is a contemplative song that encourages introspection and cherishing the present moment. It challenges us to consider the meaning of our existence and find ways to make the most of the time we have.


Line by Line Meaning

Whole world! From the high country to the bottom of the sea
The world is vast and diverse, with endless possibilities to explore


I caught a place that I needed to be
I have found my purpose and my path in life


It comes and it goes, the momentary glory
Success and fame are fleeting, temporary things


Then, quick as they came they’re down the drain
Success can be lost as quickly as it is gained


Another one coming from a shallow place will not remain
People who only seek success for selfish reasons may not be able to sustain it


Remember when what was possible would never end
As children, we had boundless imaginations and believed in endless possibilities


Now we abide by limits I cannot defend
As adults, we are constrained by societal norms and limitations that I don't believe are justifiable


It fits good and yet
Things may seem to be going well, but there is always room for improvement


The best we reject
Sometimes we reject the best things in life because we are afraid to take risks


You get what you get I guess don’t get upset
We must accept what we are given and make the best of it, without getting too upset or frustrated


Where is that garden of Eden
Where is the perfect, utopian world in which we all long to live?


Under stars and the trees and
Perhaps the ideal world is one in which we are in harmony with nature


And so far, so far from the heathens
The ideal world is also far from those who are destructive or harmful to others


Planets follow patterns, all stars into seasons
There is a natural order and rhythm to the universe that we are a part of


Flowing like a river we broaden and deepen
We are constantly evolving and developing, like a river that flows and widens over time


Hold on, before we are gone
We must hold onto the moments we cherish before they pass us by


Got lots to do but time with you, keeps on sliding
We are always busy and in a rush, but we must take the time to appreciate the people in our lives


And I keep on blowing a fuse, there you go
Sometimes we lose our temper or get frustrated when things don't go according to plan


Unseen, your face in the screen
We often hide behind screens and technology, losing touch with those around us


I feel your attention dividing
When we are not fully present with others, our attention becomes divided and distracted


But this is worth more than the news
The relationships we have with others and the moments we share with them are more valuable than anything we can read in the news


Prepare to bare all, I paint the cave walls
I am willing to expose my true self, to share my emotions and creativity with the world


I am the hobbit with the ring in the forest
I am a hero, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth


I am the richest I am the poorest
I have experienced both great wealth and great poverty in my life


A particle I vibe I just keep dancin’
I am a small piece of the universe, but I am constantly in motion and dancing to my own rhythm


I move from this world into a mansion
I am able to move between different worlds and realities, both physical and metaphysical


Of light and love as below and above
I am connected to both the spiritual and physical worlds, and experience love and transcendence in both


I chart the planets and the whales migration
I am curious and fascinated by the natural world, and seek to understand its mysteries and wonders


I’m home everywhere I run the station
I am at home in every place and every role, and am able to lead and inspire those around me


The last light of a dying star
The end of a cycle or a moment, which can bring both sadness and beauty


In every game I am that wild card
I am unpredictable and can surprise others with my actions and decisions


I participate I’m paleolithic
I am connected to the earliest and most primitive parts of human history and culture


And geology and astrophysics
I am interested in and knowledgeable about the natural world, from the smallest particles to the largest galaxies


A true cowboy existential hero
I am a hero, but not in the traditional sense - I am a free-spirited, independent thinker who seeks to understand the meaning of existence


I compiled that deck and named it tarot
I have created and named a system of symbols and meanings to help others understand the mysteries of the universe


I’m in play I give me the ball
I am always ready to take on new challenges and opportunities, and am willing to lead and take risks


I’m that man with amnesia then sudden recall
I have moments of forgetfulness or confusion, but also sudden surges of memory and clarity


Somehow I fell Into it all again, it all again
Despite setbacks or failures, I keep returning to the things that inspire and fulfill me


It all makes sense
Everything I have experienced and learned has led me to this moment of understanding and enlightenment


Somehow it was here all along
The answers or solutions I have been looking for were always inside me, waiting to be discovered




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AARON WILLS, CHAD SEXTON, DOUGLAS MARTINEZ, NICHOLAS HEXUM, SCOTT RALSTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@jondoe9914

Whole world! From the high country to the bottom of the sea
I caught a place that I needed to be
It comes and it goes, the momentary glory
Then, quick as they came they're down the drain
Another one coming from a shallow place will not remain
Remember when what was possible would never end
Now we abide by limits I cannot defend It fits good and yet
The best we reject
You get what you get I guess don't get upset
Where is that garden of Eden
Under stars and the trees and
And so far, so far from the heathens
Planets follow patterns, all stars into seasons
Flowing like a river we broaden and deepen
Where is that garden of Eden
Under stars and the trees and
And so far, so far from the heathens
Planets follow patterns, all stars into seasons
Flowing like a river we broaden and deepen
Hold on, before we are gone
Got lots to do but time with you, keeps on sliding
And I keep on blowing a fuse, there you go
Unseen, your face in the screen
I feel your attention dividing
But this is worth more than the news
Prepare to bare all, I paint the cave walls
I am the hobbit with the ring in the forest
I am the richest I am the poorest
A particle I vibe I just keep dancin'
I move from this world into a mansion
Of light and love as below and above
I chart the planets and the whales migration
I'm home everywhere I run the station
The last light of a dying star
In every game I am that wild card
I participate I'm paleolithic
And geology and astrophysics
A true cowboy existential hero
I compiled that deck and named it tarot
I'm in play I give me the ball
I'm that man with amnesia then sudden recall
Hold on, before we are gone
Got lots to do but time with you, keeps on sliding
And I keep on blowing a fuse, there you go
Unseen, your face in the screen
I feel your attention dividing
But this is worth more than the news
Somehow I fell
Into it all again, it all again
Somehow I fell into it all again
It all makes sense
Somehow I fell into it all again
It all make sense
Somehow it was here all along



All comments from YouTube:

@Raggmuff

311 for Life..

@CamFanOf311

fuck yeah

@stevegreusome9961

@@CamFanOf311."delete expletive" Governer. Massive respect

@prestonwilson2956

First time listening to 311, and this song came my way. Boy oh boy this music is a MFing cosmic explosion of awesomeness!!

@bsbikes2115

Hey where you at on the 311 fandom? Listened to Make It Rough yet? You should....have a good day.

@buckfuttler2877

you still down that rabbit hole!???

@kentonkitesmith

Beautiful. Profoundly true. Sometimes we don't know how good something is until it's gone, even temporarily. But "falling back into it" is one of life's beautifully mysterious treasures. Go 311! Rock on!

@TrickrTerrorhaunt

So happy this is on YouTube now! I got a nola copy, iTunes copy and regular cd copy. So I fully support 311

@allenbird

dude, Chad on the drums. one of my favorite songs by 311...which is like over 100 songs now.

@chrisconnelly5907

Hell yeah those toms runs are outta control! Love this song, especially SA's verse

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