All That We Let In
Indigo Girls Lyrics

Dust in our eyes our own boots kicked up
We've been through a lot of tough situations that have left us with scars, and sometimes it feels like those things are still affecting us.

Heartsick we nursed along the way we picked up
We've had to deal with a lot of heartbreak and pain and we've had to take care of ourselves and each other.

You may not see it when it's sticking to your skin
The effects of our experiences can be invisible to others, even when they're deeply ingrained in us.

But we're better off for all that we let in
Despite the pain, we've grown stronger and wiser because of everything we've been through.

We've lost friends and loved ones much too young
We've experienced tragedy and loss at a young age, and it's left a lasting impact on us.

There were so much promise and work left undone
The people we lost had so much potential, and it's heartbreaking to think of all they could have accomplished.

When all that guards us is a single center line
Our safety and security can be precarious and fragile, and we have to be careful to stay on the right path.

And the brutal crossing over when it's time
When our time comes, the transition from life to death can be difficult and painful.

One day those toughies will be withered up and bent
Even the strongest and most powerful people will eventually become old and weak.

The father-son, the holy warriors and the President
These are examples of people who are often seen as powerful and important in our society.

With glory days of put up dukes for all the world to see
People used to settle their differences with violence, and it was seen as something to be proud of.

Beaten into submission in the name of the free
Now, we're more likely to use violence as a tool of oppression, in the name of freedom or justice.

We're in an evolution, I have heard it said
We're constantly changing and growing as a society, even if it's not always obvious.

And everyone's so busy now but do we move ahead
Despite all our progress, we often get caught up in our own lives and forget to work towards a better future.

The planets hurling and atoms splitting
There are huge, cosmic forces at work beyond our understanding or control.

And a sweater for your love you sit there knitting
But sometimes, the most important things in life are small, everyday moments of love and comfort.

See those crosses on the side of the road
There are memorials and reminders of tragedy all around us.

Tied with ribbons in the medium
Even in the midst of sorrow, there can be beauty and hope.

They make me grateful, I can go this far
These reminders of tragedy can remind us how lucky we are to still be alive and able to experience life.

Lay me down and never wake me up again
Sometimes life can be so painful or difficult that death feels like the only escape.

Kat writes a poem and she sticks it on my truck
Even small acts of creativity or kindness can make a big difference in our lives.

We don't believe in war and we don't believe in luck
We believe in peace and justice, and that we have control over our own lives.

The birds were calling to her, what were they saying
Nature can be a source of comfort and guidance, even if we don't always understand it.

As the gate blew open in the tops of the trees were swaying
Sometimes, even everyday moments can feel transcendent and magical.

I've passed the cemetery, walk my dog down there
Death is never far away from us, and we're all on a journey towards it.

I read the names in stone and say a silent prayer
We honor and remember the people who came before us, and hope that they're at peace.

When I get home, you're cooking supper on the stove
In the midst of all this sadness and pain, there are moments of joy and comfort.

And the greatest gift of life is to know love
Ultimately, what makes life worth living is our connections to other people, and the love we share with them.