Is There A Plank In Your Eye?
Doug Horley Lyrics


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Is there a plank in your eye
Big enough to walk on
Big enough to build a ship
Or maybe start a bonfire
Is there a plank stuck in your eye?
Stuck, stuck, stuck

Is there a plank in your eye
Big enough to walk on
Big enough to build a ship
Or maybe start a bonfire
Is there a plank stuck in your eye?
Stuck, stuck, stuck

Don′t point a finger and say, oi
You're doing it wrong when, hey, hey
Your own life is far from ok
Don′t point at the speck in your brothers eye
When there's a whopping great plank in your own

Is there a plank in your eye
Big enough to walk on
Big enough to build a ship
Or maybe start a bonfire
Is there a plank stuck in your eye?
Stuck, stuck, stuck




Stuck, stuck
Stuck

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Doug Horley's song "Is There A Plank In Your Eye?" address the problem of hypocrisy and judgmental behavior in people. The title of the song is a reference to a biblical passage in which Jesus tells his disciples to take the plank out of their own eyes before they try to remove the speck from their brother's eye. The song suggests that people often ignore their own faults and focus on the faults of others, which leads to a lack of self-awareness and an inability to grow as individuals.


The repeated stanza "Is there a plank in your eye, big enough to walk on, big enough to build a ship, or maybe start a bonfire" illustrates the severity of the issue of self-reflection and personal accountability. The hyperbolic exaggeration of a plank large enough to walk on or start a fire speaks to the idea that some people's issues are so big that they are impossible to ignore or overlook. The chorus also suggests that the person in question is stuck, both literally and figuratively, which further emphasizes the need for introspection and change.


Line by Line Meaning

Is there a plank in your eye
Do you have a major problem in your own life?


Big enough to walk on
Is your problem significant enough to majorly impact your life?


Big enough to build a ship
Is your problem significant enough to build something out of it?


Or maybe start a bonfire
Is your problem significant enough to ignite a larger issue?


Is there a plank stuck in your eye?
Do you have a problem that you are not acknowledging?


Stuck, stuck, stuck
The problem is not going away any time soon and is causing you to be stuck.


Don′t point a finger and say, oi
Do not criticize or judge others for their problems.


You're doing it wrong when, hey, hey
You need to focus on your own problems and not make assumptions about others.


Your own life is far from ok
You have your own problems to address and cannot solve someone else's.


Don′t point at the speck in your brothers eye
Do not focus on the small problems of others while ignoring your own large problems.


When there's a whopping great plank in your own
When you have a significant problem in your own life that needs your attention.


Stuck, stuck, stuck
The problem is causing you to feel stuck and unable to make progress.




Writer(s): Douglas Horley

Contributed by Aaliyah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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