The Riddle
Five for Fighting Lyrics

There was a man back in '95
The song is being narrated through the eyes of a man talking to somebody about his encounter with an old man during the year of 1995.

Whose heart ran out of summers
The old man was nearing the end of his life and had limited time left.

But before he died, I asked him
The narrative voice was curious about the meaning of life and wanted to know if the old man had any insights to offer.

Wait, what's the sense in life?
The artist asks the old man about the true meaning and purpose of life.

Come over me, come over me
The artist is willing to be enlightened by the philosophical insights of the old man.

He said Son, why you gotta sing that tune? Catch a Dylan song or some eclipse of the moon Let an angel swing and make you swoon Then you will see, you will see
The old man advises the singer to stop overthinking about life and find beauty in the small things that bring joy and fulfillment, like art, music, and wonder.

Then he said Here's a riddle for you Find the answer There's a reason for the world You and I
The old man gives the singer a riddle to ponder that relates to the larger questions of purpose and existence.

Picked up my kid from school today Did you learn anything 'causin' the world today You can't live in a castle far away Now talk to me, come talk to me
The artist picks up his child from school and is concerned with what they learned about the world, and encourages them to have a conversation about it.

He said Dad, I'm big, but we're smaller than small In the scheme of things, well, we're nothing at all Still every mother's child sings a lonely song So play with me, come play with me
The artist's child acknowledges their smallness in the grand scheme of the universe, but still wants to find joy and companionship.

And, hey, dad Here's a riddle for you Find the answer There's a reason for the world You and I
The child gives their own version of the riddle presented by the old man, which reinforces the theme of searching for meaning and connection.

I said Son, for all I've told you When you get right down to the Reason for the world Who am I?
The singer acknowledges that even though he is a father and has given guidance to his child, he is still unsure of the answer to the riddle and his place in the universe.

There are secrets that we still have left to find There have been mysteries from the beginning of time There are answers we're not wise enough to see
The song admits that there are still unknowns and paradoxes in the world and in our understanding of it.

He said You looking for a clue I love you free
The child offers their own version of the old man's advice, and expresses unconditional love for their parent.

The batter swings and the summer flies As I look into my angel's eyes A song plays on while the moon is high over me Something comes over me
The singer reflects on the fleeting, beautiful moments of life like the sound of a baseball bat, a summer evening, and the gaze of a loved one.

I guess we're big, and I guess we're small If you think about it, man, you know we got it all 'Cause we're all we got on this bouncing ball And I love you free I love you freely
The song concludes that even though life is short and imperfect, we still have each other and love to give and receive, which is its own source of meaning and purpose.

Here's a riddle for you Find the answer There's a reason for the world You and I
The final repetition of the riddle affirms that the search for meaning and connection is ongoing and universal.