We Are All In This Together
Carole King Lyrics

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The just are seeking justice
The meek are reaching out
For something only children
Can really know about

And some men cry for mercy
While they deny their brothers' pain
And some men laugh for reasons

They can never quite explain

We are all in this together
And maybe we'll see that one day
When we conquer our fear together
When we finally find a way

And we all need forgiving
For all the damage done
For the things we do, not thinking
For the hurt that we've caused someone

But me, I keep on living
Caught somewhere there between
The reason and the meaning
The vision and the dream

We are all in this together
I know that seems easy to say

But don't use the word "forever"
It's enough just to say "someday"

Overall Meaning

In these lyrics, Carole King emphasizes the idea of humanity being interconnected and interdependent on one another. She touches upon different themes, including justice, mercy, forgiveness, and pain, highlighting that despite our differences, we are all the same. The opening lines suggest that everyone seeks some form of solace and understanding, regardless of their disposition in life. The idea that only children are privy to certain insights about life and its intricacies highlights the complex simplicity that comes with innocence. On the other hand, some men struggle to empathize with their fellow humans while they are in pain or need, while others choose to laugh away their issues, masking them instead of trying to resolve them. King's suggestion that one day we will conquer our fears through unity, and find a way to coexist without aggression, is important. The lyrics urge for forgiveness, acknowledging that we all affect one another, intentionally or unconsciously, and causing hurt or pain to those around us. Nonetheless, King suggests that living in the present moment, caught between the reason and the meaning, and holding onto the principle of someday, is the only way to move forward as a collective.

Line by Line Meaning

The just are seeking justice
Those who pursue righteousness are in search of a fair outcome

The meek are reaching out
Those who are humble are extending themselves towards others

For something only children can really know about
For a quality that only the innocent and pure can truly comprehend

And some men cry for mercy while they deny their brothers' pain
There are those who beg for compassion, yet disregard the suffering of those close to them

And some men laugh for reasons They can never quite explain
There are those who find humor in things they don't fully understand

We are all in this together and Maybe we'll see that one day
We are all interconnected and hopefully someday we'll recognize that

When we conquer our fear together
When we overcome our apprehensions in unison

When we finally find a way
When we ultimately discover a solution

And we all need forgiving
We all require pardon and absolution

For all the damage done
For all the harm we've inflicted

For the things we do, not thinking
For our actions due to ignorance, carelessness, or lack of consideration

For the hurt that we've caused someone
For the pain and suffering we've inflicted on another person

But me, I keep on living
However, as for me, I continue to exist

Caught somewhere there between
Trapped in a limbo or a state of uncertainty

The reason and the meaning
Between the cause and the significance

The vision and the dream
Between the aspiration and the ideal