The Library
Anderson Jason Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mass at 10 a.m.
And apathy's a glove in which evil will slip a hand.
No, I don't know if I would go that far,
The sentiment seems unforgiving.
Although, I do agree,
The unexamined life is not worth living.
Decorated like Christmas trees.
Collecting years like hockey cards
There is boredom and there is victory
But those afternoons, when you stumble on
Even the tiniest epiphany
Well, you feel so in focus
And it's, it's amazing.
So I walk &try to look about as if for the first time.
The poetry of imperfect pavement
Or a turned off arbee's sign.
This exercise in forced perspective, the tiring push &pull.
As we strive for freedom &presence
Through clinging &letting go.
Yes, we strive for freedom &presence
Though empty, &hollow.
In Anderson Jason's song "The Library," he starts off by describing a sign outside a baptist church and then makes the observation that apathy is like a glove for evil to slip its hand into. He doesn't necessarily agree with this notion, but he acknowledges that an unexamined life isn't worth living. He then goes on to compare our lives to books filled with stamps that we collect like Christmas trees, and like hockey cards. He says that there are times when we realize even the tiniest epiphany, and though we stumble upon it, we feel amazing, and it's like we're suddenly in focus.
He then goes on to describe a walk he takes as if it were for the first time. He observes the poetry of imperfect pavement, and the sight of a turned-off Arby's sign. He describes this walk as an exercise in forced perspective, where there is a tiring push and pull as we strive for freedom and presence, while at the same time dealing with the emptiness and hollowness of this pursuit. Overall, the song seems to be a commentary on life and the human experience, appreciating the little things, the search for meaning, and the struggles we face in trying to find purpose and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
A sign outside the baptist church reads:
The first line introduces a setting and a textual element in the form of a sign outside a church.
Mass at 10 a.m.
The sign displays the time for a religious ceremony, emphasizing the importance of attending.
And apathy's a glove in which evil will slip a hand.
The line suggests that indifference and lack of interest can lead to more malevolent behaviors and actions in society.
No, I don't know if I would go that far,
The artist disagrees or is uncertain about the previous assertion.
The sentiment seems unforgiving.
The artist perceives the previous view as harsh and unyielding.
Although, I do agree,
The singer qualifies their stance by acknowledging a point of agreement.
The unexamined life is not worth living.
The line is a quote from Socrates, conveying the importance of self-reflection and introspection.
We fill our days like books of stamps
The line likens our lives to collecting and accumulating experiences and memories, similar to assembling a collection of stamps.
Decorated like Christmas trees.
The line further emphasizes the metaphor of life-as-collection by comparing it to a festive and ornamental holiday decoration.
Collecting years like hockey cards
The line extends the metaphor of life-as-collection by implying that we seek to possess and own the passing of time like a set of collectible cards.
There is boredom and there is victory
The line suggests that life is a mix of monotonous and exciting events or moments.
But those afternoons, when you stumble on
The line refers to rare and unexpected moments of discovery or realization that can alter one's perspective or understanding.
Even the tiniest epiphany
The line emphasizes that important insights or revelations can come from seemingly insignificant or trivial observations.
Well, you feel so in focus
The line expresses the intense, almost hyper-awareness that such moments of revelation can bring about.
And it's, it's amazing.
The line emphasizes the wonder and awe that can accompany moments of insight or inspiration.
So I walk &try to look about as if for the first time.
The line describes a conscious effort to cultivate a sense of curiosity and openness in order to perceive the world in a new light, akin to a child's perspective.
The poetry of imperfect pavement
The line suggests that even mundane aspects of reality can hold beauty and significance if approached with a poetic or artistic sensibility.
Or a turned off arbee's sign.
The line describes a seemingly insignificant object or phenomenon that can trigger a moment of insight or wonder.
This exercise in forced perspective, the tiring push &pull.
The line refers to the mental and emotional effort required to sustain a curious and open-minded outlook, which can be both rewarding and exhausting.
As we strive for freedom &presence
The line suggests that cultivating mindfulness and awareness can lead to a sense of liberation and self-possession.
Through clinging &letting go.
The line suggests that both embracing and relinquishing one's experiences and attachments are necessary for personal growth and enlightenment.
Yes, we strive for freedom &presence
The line restates the previous idea to emphasize its importance and universality.
Though empty, &hollow.
The final line suggests that despite the pursuit of freedom and mindfulness, life can still feel unsatisfying or incomplete.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind