Fall
American Arson Lyrics

Fall, fall-fall-falling tonight
The singer is acknowledging a fall or failure that is happening or will happen tonight, and this is repeated to emphasize the gravity of the situation.

Oh, what a brilliant deception we have wrought
The singer is reflecting on a deceptive or misleading act that they and others have committed, and they acknowledge the brilliance (or intelligence) of this deception.

Believing ourselves to be self made
The singer acknowledges that they and others have believed they are solely responsible for their own success or achievements.

The blueprints on the shoulders of the giants that we perch upon
The artist acknowledges that the success they and others have achieved is built on the work and achievements of people who came before them (the 'giants' they 'perch upon').

Now faded and forgotten
The artist acknowledges that the importance of the work and achievements of those who came before them has diminished and been forgotten over time.

Its business we say and we'll leave the bodies in our wake
The singer acknowledges that sometimes they and others prioritize their own interests, specifically business-related interests, and are willing to leave the negative consequences of their actions behind ('the bodies in our wake').

To ignorant and arrogant to notice our mistakes
The singer acknowledges that they and others can be ignorant and arrogant, making it difficult to see and admit when they have made mistakes.

And the higher we stack up retention, the further it has to fall
The artist acknowledges that the more they and others build up something (like a business or reputation), the harder it will fall if/when it fails.

Well, I stand atop that high-handed pile of filth
The artist acknowledges that they themselves have taken a position of superiority or arrogance, represented by a 'pile of filth'.

And watch my imperious lungs swell with pompous pride
The artist acknowledges that they have let their pride and self-importance inflate within themselves ('swell with pompous pride').

And I've taken my place at the bottom of the heap
The singer acknowledges that despite their perceived superiority, they have actually ended up at the bottom of the social or societal 'heap'.

Where I've had my bones used as a step ladder for men I counted as friends
The artist acknowledges that people they considered friends have used and abused them ('used [their] bones as a step ladder') to get ahead or reach a higher position.

So forgive for the times I couldn't see the forest
The singer acknowledges moments of blindness or ignorance where they could not see the larger picture, represented by 'the forest'.

Through the twisted branches of my own conceit
The singer acknowledges that their own arrogance and self-importance have gotten in the way of their ability to see the larger picture ('the twisted branches of my own conceit').

For I know now that I am but a sapling
The singer acknowledges that they are still young and inexperienced (like a 'sapling') in comparison to the 'giants' they spoke of before.

Sheltered on every side by mighty, unshakable oaths
The artist acknowledges that they have taken promises or oaths that protect them from the negative consequences of their failures or shortcomings ('sheltered on every side').

See how I've landed Broken beneath the trees
The artist acknowledges that they have hit rock bottom, represented here by being 'broken beneath the trees'.

(I know) I know you'd pick me up again I know you'd pick me, you'd pick me
The singer is addressing someone specifically, acknowledging they believe this person would help them if they were to fall again.

Safe in the branches, towering over me
The singer acknowledges that they have someone who they can rely on ('safe in the branches'), who is above them ('towering over me').