History
Nabs and Manuel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I was given my first command
I led my men straight into a massacre
I witnessed their deaths firsthand
I made every mistake
And felt the shame rise in me
And even now I lie awake
History has its eyes on me
Whoa
Whoa
Yeah
Let me tell you what I wish I’d known
When I was young and dreamed of glory
You have no control
Who lives, who dies, who tells your story
I know that we can win
I know that greatness lies in you
But remember from here on in
History has its eyes on you
Whoa
Whoa
History has its eyes on you
The lyrics to Nabs and Manuel's song "History" describe the regrets and reflection of a person who was given their first command at a young age and led their men into a massacre. The person recounts making every mistake and feeling intense shame for their actions. Even now, they cannot escape the weight of history's judgment over their actions. The chorus repeats the phrase "history has its eyes on me," capturing the idea that our actions have lasting consequences that shape our legacy and how we are remembered by future generations.
The second verse offers advice to a younger generation, cautioning against the illusion of control and the danger of pursuing glory at any cost. Instead, the singer encourages the listener to remember that history is watching and to act accordingly. The final line of the song changes the focus from the singer to the listener, urging them to remember that history has its eyes on them too.
Overall, the lyrics to "History" speak to the timeless themes of accountability, regret, and the long shadow of history. The song is a powerful reminder that our actions have consequences, and that we must strive to understand the weight and significance of our decisions.
Line by Line Meaning
I was younger than you are now
There was a time when I was younger than you are now
When I was given my first command
At that young age, I was given my first command
I led my men straight into a massacre
I led my men into battle which ended in tragedy
I witnessed their deaths firsthand
I was there to see them die
I made every mistake
I made every mistake that could have been made
And felt the shame rise in me
The guilt and shame of my actions took over me
And even now I lie awake
Even now I'm still consumed by it
Knowing history has its eyes on me (whoa)
Knowing that history judges and remembers me, and that weight is heavy (whoa)
Let me tell you what I wish I’d known
I want to share with you something I wish I knew earlier
When I was young and dreamed of glory
When I was young, and all I dreamt of is to pursue greatness
You have no control
But I want you to know that there are things you cannot control
Who lives, who dies, who tells your story
Who lives or dies, and who sees and remembers your actions becomes a part of your story
I know that we can win
I believe that we can achieve success
I know that greatness lies in you
I believe that you have greatness within you
But remember from here on in
But from now on, keep in mind
History has its eyes on you
Remember that history will recall and reflect on your deeds and choices
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
History has its eyes on you
Remember that history will recall and reflect on your deeds and choices
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind