Helplessness Blues
Fleet Foxes Lyrics

I was raised up believing I was somehow unique
I was taught that I was special and one-of-a-kind, different from everyone else.

And now after some thinking, I'd say I'd rather be A functioning cog in some great machinery serving something beyond me
However, upon reflection, I realize that I'd rather be a small, working part of a larger system, serving a greater purpose beyond my individual needs or desires.

But I don't, I don't know what that will be I'll get back to you someday soon you will see
But I admit that I am unsure what that purpose is, and I cannot say what exactly I'll do. Someday soon though, I hope to have a clearer answer.

What's my name, what's my station? Oh, just tell me what I should do
I'm still searching for my place in the world, my purpose and role, and I long for someone to show me where I belong and what I should be doing.

I don't need to be kind to the armies of night that would do such injustice to you
I refuse to be kind to those who oppress or harm others, even if it means standing up against a dark, powerful force that threatens us both.

Or bow down and be grateful and say, "Sure, take all that you see"
I won't allow myself to become subservient to those who seek to dominate me, giving up all that makes me who I am just to appease them.

To the men who move only in dimly-lit halls and determine my future for me
I won't let faceless, nameless figures in positions of power dictate my future, deciding what is best for me without even acknowledging my existence.

And I don't, I don't know who to believe I'll get back to you someday soon you will see
I'm struggling to know who or what to trust, what to believe in. But I have faith that someday soon, I'll figure it out and be able to make a decision.

If I know only one thing, it's that everything that I see Of the world outside is so inconceivable often I barely can speak
If there's one thing I'm certain of, it's that the world around me is so vast, complex, and unimaginable that I often struggle to put it into words.

Yeah I'm tongue-tied and dizzy and I can't keep it to myself What good is it to sing helplessness blues, why should I wait for anyone else?
I'm overwhelmed and unsure how to express my feelings or opinions, but I refuse to stay silent or wait for others to take action. I believe it's important to share my struggles and speak up for myself.

And I know, I know you will keep me on the shelf I'll come back to you someday soon myself
I understand that others may not see me as valuable or useful, but I believe in myself and know that I'll find a way to come back and prove them wrong in the future.

If I had an orchard, I'd work 'til I'm raw If I had an orchard, I'd work 'til I'm sore And you would wait tables and soon run the store
If only I had my own little piece of land, my own small business or farm, I'd work myself to exhaustion, but it would be worth it because I would be building something that was mine. I imagine that you, my loved one, would help me and eventually take over the family business.

Gold hair in the sunlight, my light in the dawn If I had an orchard, I'd work 'til I'm sore If I had an orchard, I'd work 'til I'm sore Someday I'll be like the man on the screen
I can picture it now, the golden light of dawn shining down on our farm, and you by my side. I would work myself to exhaustion, but it would be worth it because it would be building something that was mine. And someday, I'll be like those people we see on television, who seem to have it all together and know exactly what they're doing.