Heavyhearted World
Ben & Ellen Harper Lyrics
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There’s a flight risk today so a nurse guards the door
There’s a man in the corner who sounds just like me
Rambling on about time square new years eve
If I could only forget what I’m supposed to know
If I could only keep from sinking so low
Strapped me down and into the void I was hurled
Traded our rage for broken bones
Traded our fear for someplace to call home
Traded a lifetime for one long day
Nothing is more beautiful than to fade away
Fear and the memory of painful youth
It prepared us for the painful truth
So gather only what’s sacred summons all of your courage
And walk with me into this heavyhearted world
The song Heavyhearted World by Ben & Ellen Harper is a deep and insightful look into the lives of people who have been through hard times and are struggling to find their place in the world. The song talks about the difficulties of living with a mental illness, being in a psych ward, and feeling like there is nowhere else to turn. The lyrics paint a picture of a man in a psych ward on Christmas morning, with a nurse guarding the door to keep him from leaving. The man is rambling about New Year's Eve in Times Square and is clearly struggling to keep himself together.
The chorus of the song is particularly poignant, as it speaks to the idea that sometimes all we can do is keep going, even when life feels heavy and overwhelming. The lyrics talk about trading rage and fear for broken bones and a place to call home, and how those experiences prepare us for the painful truth of life. The song ends with a call to action, encouraging listeners to gather what is sacred and summon their courage to face the heavyhearted world together.
Overall, Heavyhearted World is a powerful and emotional song that speaks to the struggles that many people face every day. It reminds us that even when life feels overwhelming, we can find the strength to keep going and face whatever comes our way.
Line by Line Meaning
It’s Christmas morning in the psych ward
The singer is in a psychiatric hospital on Christmas morning.
There’s a flight risk today so a nurse guards the door
Because someone might try to escape, a nurse is watching the door of the psychiatric ward.
There’s a man in the corner who sounds just like me
A patient in the psychiatric ward is speaking and acting like the singer.
Rambling on about time square new years eve
The man in the corner is speaking about a past New Year's Eve in Times Square.
If I could only forget what I’m supposed to know
The singer wishes he could forget some knowledge he has that is causing him distress.
If I could only keep from sinking so low
The singer wants to avoid feeling down and depressed.
Strapped me down and into the void I was hurled
The singer was forcibly restrained and put into a state of emptiness and hopelessness.
With nowhere else to turn in this heavyhearted world
The singer feels stuck and can't find any other options in his difficult life.
Traded our rage for broken bones
The singer and others have given up their anger and instead suffered physical harm.
Traded our fear for someplace to call home
The singer and others have sacrificed their sense of safety and security in exchange for a place to live.
Traded a lifetime for one long day
The singer and others feel like their lives have amounted to nothing more than one long, difficult day.
Nothing is more beautiful than to fade away
The singer thinks that death may be preferable to continuing to live in such a difficult world.
Fear and the memory of painful youth
The singer has experienced fear and suffered through a difficult childhood, which has affected him greatly.
It prepared us for the painful truth
The singer believes that his past experiences have helped him face difficult truths in his life.
So gather only what’s sacred summons all of your courage
The singer urges himself and others to focus on what is important and to be brave.
And walk with me into this heavyhearted world
The singer is asking for someone to accompany him through the struggles of life.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BENJAMIN CHASE HARPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind