Jim Guthrie is a Canadian singer-songwriter. He used to be in the band Roya… Read Full Bio ↴Jim Guthrie is a Canadian singer-songwriter. He used to be in the band Royal City until they disbanded in 2004. He also worked with Islands on Return to Sea. He was born and raised in Guelph, Ontario and currently lives in Toronto. Guthrie first made a name for himself by releasing a series of self-produced cassettes, and subsequently released albums on Three Gut Records. He was nominated for a Juno Award for his album Now, More Than Ever. His song "Hands in My Pocket" appeared in a television commercial for Capital One's Canadian branch in 2005.

Virtue
Jim Guthrie Lyrics

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When we talk virtue
It doesn't seem all that bad
If I keep talking cool
The future turns out as the past
Passed the point of making sense
I've got it

The last virtue I heard

Was something 'bout the song-singing birds
Or something 'bout bird is the word
Words are all I've heard
No meaning for this now
Birds don't know the words
It's a sweet song anyhow

And I could sing what you say all day
We resolve, we resolve in our own way

And you refuse to fade away
I long to hear you say
Where do we go from here?

When we talk virtue
It doesn't seem all that bad

If I keep talking cool
The future turns out as the past

Overall Meaning

In the first stanza, the lyrics suggest that when we discuss virtue, it doesn't appear to be a negative or difficult concept. The singer acknowledges that if they continue to maintain a calm and collected demeanor while discussing it, the future will likely be similar to the past. They feel they have surpassed the point of trying to make logical sense of virtue, as they already understand it.

The second stanza delves into the last virtue the singer heard about, which was possibly related to singing birds. However, they question the significance of this virtue, as birds do not truly understand the meaning behind the words they sing. Nevertheless, they find the song to be sweet and enjoyable regardless of its lack of deeper understanding.

The third stanza conveys the singer's willingness to listen to and sing along with whatever the other person has to say for an extended period of time. It implies a sense of resolution and harmony between them, as they find their own unique way of resolving their differences.

The final stanza returns to the idea that discussing virtue doesn't seem so bad after all, reiterating the previous thoughts. The singer recognizes that if they continue to remain composed during these discussions, the outcome will likely resemble the past. There is a longing to hear the other person's thoughts on where they should go from this point, suggesting a desire for guidance or direction in their relationship or journey.

Overall, the lyrics explore the idea of discussing virtue and the complexities of understanding its true meaning. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining composure during these discussions and finding harmony in resolving differences. The longing for guidance or clarity in moving forward adds a sense of yearning and uncertainty to the narrative.

Line by Line Meaning

When we talk virtue
When we discuss the concept of virtue

It doesn't seem all that bad
It doesn't appear to be negative or unfavorable

If I keep talking cool
If I continue speaking calmly and collectedly

The future turns out as the past
The outcome ends up being similar to what has already happened

Passed the point of making sense
Beyond the moment of logical comprehension

I've got it
I understand it

The last virtue I heard
The most recent virtue that came to my attention

Was something 'bout the song-singing birds
Was a reference to birds that sing

Or something 'bout bird is the word
Or some notion that the word 'bird' holds significance

Words are all I've heard
Language is the only thing I have been exposed to

No meaning for this now
There is currently no significance or purpose for this