Safe
Justin McRoberts Lyrics


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It's safe for everyone. Clean jokes and cleaner fun
Come bring the kids and wife. Stay safe and stay alive.

We'll close and lock the doors, to keep the bad ones out
That's how we'll show them just how good it is inside this house

They'd hurt our young, they'd steal our time
They'd eat our bread and drink our wine.

I'd rather fail a thousand times than live in fear and never try

It's safe and quiet now, far from the seething crowds
Who clamor for what they deserve, those sinners sure do have some nerve,
We've earned our right to live in peace by choosing Christ and living quietly





A thousand times I'd rather fall than be afraid to move at all
After all what is this thing that you call grace? And is it safe?

Overall Meaning

The song "Safe" by Justin McRoberts is a commentary on the illusions of safety that are often created by religion or status quo. The first verse of the song speaks about the safety that is provided by following the rules of society. The lyrics mention "clean jokes and cleaner fun", and invite families to come along and stay safe. The second verse talks about the sense of safety that is generated by exclusion. The doors are closed and locked to keep out the "bad ones". The song highlights the fear-based mentality that is created when people define themselves against others.


In the third verse of the song, Justin McRoberts challenges the illusion of safety that is created by religion. The lyrics talk about how people who are different or outcast are often excluded in the name of safety. However, this safety is not really safe as it is based on fear and exclusion rather than love and compassion. Instead, the lyrics suggest that it is better to take risks and fail rather than to live in fear and never try. The song ultimately questions the very nature of safety and whether it is really safe to live according to the rules or to be inclusive and embrace diversity.


Line by Line Meaning

It's safe for everyone. Clean jokes and cleaner fun
This place claims to be safe for everyone with decent entertainment.


Come bring the kids and wife. Stay safe and stay alive.
People are invited to get their families along claiming it to be safe.


We'll close and lock the doors, to keep the bad ones out
The doors will be locked to make sure that only the people who are deemed good can get in.


That's how we'll show them just how good it is inside this house
By keeping the doors locked, this place wants to demonstrate how great it is inside.


They'd hurt our young, they'd steal our time
The people who are kept outside are perceived as threats to the safety of the community inside this place.


They'd eat our bread and drink our wine.
The outsiders could take advantage of the community’s resources and belongings.


I'd rather fail a thousand times than live in fear and never try
The singer would prefer to fail numerous times rather than not trying at all due to the fear of failure.


It's safe and quiet now, far from the seething crowds
The environment inside claims to be serene and peaceful, away from the troubling commotion of crowds.


Who clamor for what they deserve, those sinners sure do have some nerve
The outsiders are deemed unworthy of what it inside and are considered to have a sense of audacity in demanding to receive it.


We've earned our right to live in peace by choosing Christ and living quietly
The community inside believes that they are entitled to peace because of their commitment to Christianity and their understated way of living.


A thousand times I'd rather fall than be afraid to move at all
The singer would choose to face defeat a multitude of times than to live being apprehensive and hesitant.


After all what is this thing that you call grace? And is it safe?
In the end, the singer is asking whether this concept of grace that is supposed to be safe to the community, is truly harmless or not.




Contributed by Arianna N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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