Dying To Live
Jonny Lang Lyrics

Mmm
Introductory line indicating a contemplative mood.

You know I've heard it said there's beauty in distortion
Some say that distorted things can be beautiful.

By some people who withdrew to find their head
These people who speak of distorted beauty did so after withdrawing from society to gain perspective.

And they say that there is humor in misfortune
Some believe that unfortunate things can be funny.

No, I wonder if they'll laugh when I'm dead
The artist questions whether those who find humor in misfortune would still find it funny if it happened to him after he dies.

Why am I fighting to live
The singer questions his own motivation to stay alive.

If I'm just living to fight?
He questions if his reason for living is only to engage in constant struggle and conflict.

Why am I trying to see
The artist questions his own motivation to gain perspective and understand things.

When there ain't nothing in sight?
He questions why he bothers to seek clarity when he sees nothing of value.

Why am I trying to give
The artist questions why he keeps trying to help others.

When no one gives me a try?
He questions why he is not given the same opportunities he gives to others.

Why am I dying to live
The artist questions why he desires to continue living at all costs.

If I'm just living to die
He questions if his reason for living is only to inevitably die.

You know some people say that values are subjective
Some people believe that values are based on individual opinions.

But they're just speaking words
The singer believes that those people are just repeating what they've heard without understanding it.

That someone else has said
He believes that those people are not forming their own opinions on the matter.

And so they live and fight and kill with no objective
Because they have not formed their own values, the artist believes that these people live their lives without purpose or direction.

Sometimes it's hard to tell the living from the dead
The absence of purpose or direction makes some people appear dead even though they are technically alive.

You know I used to weave my words into confusion
The singer admits to intentionally confusing others with his speech in the past.

And so I hope you'll understand me when I'm through
He hopes that he is now able to communicate his thoughts clearly to others.

You know I used to live my life as an illusion
The artist admits to living a life where he deceived himself before.

But reality will make my dream come true
However, he now realizes that he can only achieve his goals and dreams by acknowledging reality and working within it.

So I'll keep fighting to live
The singer decides to continue fighting to stay alive.

Till there's no reason to fight
He will only stop fighting once he has found a compelling reason to do so.

And I'll keep trying to see
The singer decides to continue to seek clarity and understanding.

Until the end is in sight
He will only stop seeking once he has a complete understanding of a situation.

You know I'm trying to give
The singer reiterates that he is still trying to help others.

So come on, give me a try
He asks for others to give him a chance to help them.

You know I'm dying to live
The artist still desires to continue living at all costs.

Until I'm ready, I'm ready to die
However, he acknowledges that death is a natural part of life, but he will not accept it until he has done everything he can to keep living.