The War Is Over
Cage the Elephant Lyrics

When I was a young man, I never needed anyone
As a youth, I thought I was self-sufficient and didn't require any help from others.

Bruised and broken, shattered, always on the run
I was emotionally damaged, physically hurt, and constantly running away from my problems.

Safe behind a half-smile, layin' in the shadows
I wore a mask of happiness while hiding in the darkness, afraid to reveal my true self to the world.

I became a rich man, I held the world up with my hands
As I matured, I achieved financial success and gained power and influence over others.

Inside I was a poor man, still screaming, "I don't understand"
Despite my external success, I remained internally bankrupt and was lost and confused, unable to comprehend my own feelings.

"Why am I always running?" "Why am I always hiding?"
I was plagued with questions about why I was constantly fleeing and evading instead of facing my challenges.

"What's the point in living when living feels like dying?"
At times I questioned the purpose of my existence when every moment of life seemed to bring me pain and sorrow.

You can build your walls, love will tear it down
Attempting to shield yourself from love is futile, as it has the power to penetrate and break down even the strongest walls.

You can hide your heart inside a man-made house
Trying to protect your emotions by barricading yourself inside of material possessions is a temporary solution at best.

You can build your walls, build 'em to the sky
You can construct barriers that appear insurmountable, but they are ultimately vulnerable to love's influence.

One day you will find love was on both sides
Eventually, you will realize that love was present not just within yourself, but also in those around you.

The war is over
The conflicts within yourself are resolved, and peace has been achieved.

I came upon a wise man, he said, "Sit beside me son"
By chance, I met someone with sagacity, who offered to give me guidance.

"When I was a young man, I was like you, the prodigal son"
The wise man had a similar experience to mine when he was younger, and he equated me to the biblical parable of the prodigal son.

Safe behind a half-smile, hidin' in the shadows
Despite his acquired wisdom, the wise man also once hid behind a false grin and wallowed in secrecy.

Tell 'em that it's all right, tell 'em 'cause you said so
Reassure others who are going through similar tribulations that everything will be okay because you have achieved serenity.

The war is over, love's already won
The battle within yourself has been concluded, and love has emerged victorious.

Time stands still so long
It feels like an eternity when your life is marked by pain and suffering.

I feel so low
I'm in a state of despair, with emotions at their lowest point.

I know what follows, what follows
I have become accustomed to the patterns of my life, and I can anticipate what happens next.