In Our Nature
José González Lyrics

The lyrics of José González's song In Our Nature speak to the innate human desire for peace and unity. The repeated phrase "It's in our nature" emphasizes that these impulses towards cooperation and empathy are a fundamental part of human identity, and that violence and aggression are aberrations from this natural state. The call to "put down your sword," "send home your dogs," "put down your gun," and "ignore the alarm" all convey the idea that the interpersonal and societal barriers that divide us can and should be dismantled. Instead, we should "open up our doors" and "let down our guard," both literally and metaphorically, in order to embrace the inherent human potential for compassion and understanding.

The song's message speaks to a universal human experience, making it a powerful and resonant piece of music. González's simple but evocative lyrics and mellow guitar accompaniment create a contemplative and introspective mood, encouraging the listener to think deeply about their own role in perpetuating or undermining the impulse towards kindness and peaceful coexistence. Ultimately, In Our Nature is a hopeful and optimistic song that suggests that despite the many challenges we face in the world, we all have the capacity to create a better, more harmonious society by embracing our natural human inclinations towards empathy and compassion.