On The Difficulty Of Progress
Arborist Lyrics

The lyrics of Arborist's song "On The Difficulty of Progress" reflect on the constraints and limitations we face as human beings. The first line, "We are all enslaved by an innate fear of failure," speaks to how fear can hold us captive and prevent us from taking risks or pursuing our dreams. This fear is intertwined with our awareness of mortality, as the second line suggests: "We accept death as the ultimate inevitability, and so we never truly live." By resigning ourselves to death, we become trapped in a cycle of inaction and fear.

The following lines paint a bleak picture of the human condition: "Bound by chains to the stake, we are set aflame. Leave our charred bones behind, and cast our ashes into the void." This imagery conveys a sense of helplessness and despair, as though human beings are condemned to suffer and then disappear into nothingness. The next lines suggest that progress is impossible: "We cannot progress any further. The difficulties of this existence render us useless."

The final lines pose a series of questions that suggest a desire for transformation: "Can ashes ever return to their original form? Can we emerge from the depths? Sew our bodies back together?" These questions suggest a longing for transcendence, a desire to break free from the limitations that constrain us. Overall, the lyrics of "On The Difficulty of Progress" offer a powerful commentary on the human condition, and reflect on the limitations we face as individuals and as a species.