Remember How We Forgot
Shane Koyczan Lyrics

Remember how we forgot?
Recall the irony of how we forget certain things over time.

Remember how no one ever really died in the wars we fought?
Reflect on the innocence and imagination of our childhood games, where no one truly suffered.

Because each gunshot came from our finger tips
Acknowledge that our actions were merely make-believe, lacking any real-life consequences.

And we never really kept them loaded just in case
Highlight the fact that we played without any intent to harm or cause real danger.

Because each enemy was a friend and none of it was about oil, religion, or land
Emphasize that our playtime conflicts were free from the complexities and motives of real-world conflicts.

It was all just pretend
Confirm that our childhood adventures were purely fictional and imaginative.

Remember how we used to bend reality
Recollect the creative power we had to manipulate and shape our perception of reality.

Like we were circus strong men
Compare our ability to alter reality to the strength and agility of circus performers.

Like our imaginations were in shape then
Express how our imaginations were robust and active during that time.

Like we were all ninjas trained in the deadly art of 'did not'
Portray ourselves as skilled in denying or disproving claims made against us, like stealthy ninjas.

Like 'I totally got you'
Remember the friendly banter and playful interactions we engaged in.

'Did not'
Counter the previous claim playfully, refusing to accept it.

Remember how our parents told us never to look directly into the sun
Recall the common advice from our parents to protect our eyes from the sun's harmful rays.

And how we were their suns [pun on 'sons']
Symbolize how our parents viewed us as the center of their universe, their shining stars.

And so we never looked directly into the mirror, in fear that we would go blind
Explain that we avoided self-reflection, afraid of the potential consequences it might bring.

Remember how we used to find any old reason just to call someone we were crushing on
Reminisce about the small excuses we would find to reach out and connect with our crushes.

Like we would just pawn off our sense of embarrassment
Describing how we would temporarily trade our feelings of embarrassment for courage.

Buy a chunk of courage that would last just long enough to have us asking them about math and stuff
Illustrate how we would gather enough bravery to engage in conversations with our crushes, even about random topics like math.

And how stuff was just stuff
Highlight the simplicity and insignificance of material possessions in our lives back then.

Like I heard you were getting braces, and how braces somehow were and still are kinda hot
Playfully mention how even mundane things like getting braces could be perceived as attractive or interesting to us.

Remember how we forgot?
Remind ourselves of the recurring theme of forgetting and overlooking certain aspects of our past.

Remember how we all caught mono and out folks would go, 'oh the kissing disease'
Recollect the humorous situation of catching mononucleosis and how it was referred to as the 'kissing disease' by our parents.

And our first steps into gangstahood had us saying 'mother please.'
Recount our amusing attempts at being rebellious and 'gangsta,' despite being inexperienced and innocent.

Even though we've never really kissed anyone
Admit that our claims of romantic experiences were often exaggerated or fabricated.

Even though we never did half the things we said we'd done
Acknowledge that our storytelling tendencies led us to invent achievements and adventures that never truly happened.

We just spun yarn like Rumpelstiltskin spun gold.
Compare our storytelling prowess to the mythical character Rumpelstiltskin, who transformed straw into gold through his skill.

We told ghost stories never realizing we would one day ourselves become ghosts
Reflect on the irony that, despite our fascination with ghost stories, we would eventually become the memories of the past, like ghosts.

Haunting the hallways of schools
Depict the remnants of our existence haunting the places we've once inhabited, like the hallways of schools.

Poltergeist, breaking all the rules of silence in the library
Compare our presence to a poltergeist, disrupting the typical silence of a library and defying the rules of quietness.

But we had no chains to rattle
Highlight that, despite being like ghosts, we lacked the ability to create tangible disturbance or noise.

No voice to battle the fact that we had no vocal chords
Emphasize our lack of audible voice or influence, as we were unable to express ourselves vocally during those moments.

We had only finger nails on chalk boards
Describe the extent of our limited means to communicate, equivalent to the unpleasant sound of fingernails on chalkboards.

We had to scream, shout, and yell trying to tell ourselves what experience can teach is what no teacher taught
Explain how we resorted to loud and exaggerated actions, attempting to discover life's valuable lessons through personal experiences, rather than traditional teachings.

Remember how we forgot?
Reiterate the pattern of forgetting and overlooking certain aspects of our past.

Once upon a time, we were young.
Acknowledge that there was a time when our youth defined us.

Our dreams hung like apples
Metaphorically compare our aspirations to ripe apples, ready to be picked and pursued.

Waiting to be picked and peeled
Elaborate on the anticipation and readiness of our dreams, waiting to be explored and uncovered.

And hope was something that needed to be reeled-in
Describe hope as a valuable catch that required effort and skill to attain, like reeling in a fish.

So we can fill the always empty big fish bin with the one that got away
Envision our pursuit of dreams as an attempt to fill an emptiness within ourselves, striving to achieve the elusive 'one that got away.'

And proudly say that 'this time, impossible is not an option'
Express our determination to overcome challenges and declare that impossibility is no longer a valid choice.

Because success is so akin to effort and opportunity that it could be related
Highlight the close connection between success and the amount of effort and opportunity one is willing to invest.

So we took chances
Emphasize our willingness to take risks and seize opportunities.

We figureskated on thin ice
Metaphorically describe our bravery in navigating risky situations, similar to figure skating on thin ice.

Belief that each slice of live was served with something sweet on the side
Embrace the belief that every experience, even challenging ones, offered something positive or valuable alongside it.

And failure was never nearly as important as the fact that we tried
Emphasize that our willingness to try and take action was more significant than the outcome of our endeavors.

That in the war against frailty and limitation
Portray life as a battle against vulnerability and restrictions.

We supplied the determination it takes to make ideas and goals the parents of possibility
Highlight our role in fueling the determination and drive necessary to transform ideas and goals into achievable realities.

And we believe ourselves to be members of this family
Express our sense of belonging and connection to the collective effort of turning possibilities into accomplishments.

Not just one branch on one tree
Emphasize that our contributions extended beyond our individual roles and that we were part of a larger, interconnected network of endeavors.

But a forest whose roots make up a dynasty
Compare the strength and longevity of our collective efforts to a forest, with its roots weaving together to form a dynasty.

So when I call you sis or bro
Symbolize the closeness and bond we share by addressing each other as 'sis' or 'bro.'

It's not lightly
Indicate that our choice of addressing one another with terms of endearment holds deep meaning and significance.

And when I ask you to remember
Requesting others to recall and acknowledge the importance of our shared experiences.

It's because the future isn't what it used to be.
Imply that the current state of affairs and the challenges of the future necessitate reflection and remembrance.

So remember now
Prompt others to reflect and remember their past experiences at this moment.

Pay tribute to every sacrifice laid upon the altar of somehow
Give recognition and appreciation to the numerous sacrifices made along the journey, acknowledging the uncertain and miraculous nature of outcomes.

For all the times
Reflect on the various occasions and instances throughout our lives.

Somehow we overcame
Recognize that, despite challenges and obstacles, we managed to overcome them in some way.

Somehow we pushed on
Acknowledge our resilience and determination to keep moving forward despite difficulties.

Somehow we've gone the distance
Reiterate how we managed to persevere and achieve accomplishments despite the odds.

And in going there we've possessed the freedom to map the uncharted lands of any and everywhere
Highlight the liberation that comes with venturing into unexplored territories, both literal and metaphorical, in pursuit of our goals and dreams.

We are unbound
Portray ourselves as free and unrestricted, capable of breaking through limitations.

Six feet above the underground where we will all one day rest
Metaphorically refer to our eventual deaths and burial, with the phrase 'six feet above the underground.'

So until then
Indicate that until our eventual deaths, there is still much to be accomplished and experienced.

Test the limits
Encourage pushing boundaries and challenging our own capabilities.

Test the boundaries and borders
Advocate for exploring and pushing the limits of what is considered acceptable or possible.

Of the headquarters of potential lay just beyond the world's edge
Describe the untapped possibilities and opportunities that await us beyond the commonly known frontiers.

Let the belief that hope belongs to us all
Encourage embracing the belief that hope is not limited to certain individuals but is accessible to everyone.

Be the pledge you take to make the unachievable as inconceivable as the false fact that we were never here
Urge making a commitment to transform seemingly impossible goals into attainable ones, just as we reject the false notion that our existence and impact are negligible.

We were here
Affirm our presence and significance in the world, leaving a lasting impact on those who remember us.

And our memories are as dear to us as every slow motion moment or held breath
Emphasize the sentimental value and importance we place on our memories, cherishing each significant moment and ephemeral experience.

So remember every instance before death
Encourage treasuring and recalling every significant moment from the past before our eventual deaths.

Every first kiss, first dance, near miss, last chance, yes, no, maybe so
Highlight various important moments and experiences in our lives, including firsts, near-misses, and decisions.

Let us go the distance once more
Propose embarking on new journeys and endeavors, pushing ourselves to achieve greater feats once again.

Let us remember all the moments that were and were not
Advocate for recalling and acknowledging both the experienced and missed opportunities and moments throughout our lives.

Like the point is something we can get and what we can get is what we got
Suggest that the essence of life lies in seizing opportunities and making the most out of what we have.

Because all we have is the time between the moments we connect each dot
Express that the significance of life lies in the fleeting moments and connections we make along the way.

So live and remember
Encourage living life to the fullest and also cherishing and recalling our past experiences.

Burn like an ember capable of starting fires
Urge living with passion and intensity, possessing the potential to ignite change and inspire others.

Like each moment inspires the next
Illustrate how our present moments fuel and motivate the experiences yet to come.

Like memories are the context we put ourselves in
Convey that memories shape our identity and provide the framework for interpreting and understanding our lives.

So that life becomes the next of kin we need to notify in case of a big bang or extinction level event
Symbolize life itself as a close and important relative, the one we must inform in extraordinary events or moments of great change.

Let now be our advent
Suggest that the present moment should be considered a significant and exciting beginning or arrival point.

Let us live like we meant it
Advocate for living with intention and purpose, making the most out of every experience.

Let us burn like we mean it
Encourage living passionately and wholeheartedly, leaving a lasting impact on the world.

Because this world doesn't give a shit if we end in a train wreck or a car crash
Acknowledge that the world is indifferent to our individual fates, and it is up to us to make our lives meaningful.

If our story ends with a dot or dash
Highlight that the conclusion of our personal narratives is not determined by the trivial details or endings, but by the overall impact and fulfillment we achieve.

If we were dust or ash
Suggest that the physical outcome of our existence does not ultimately define our worth or significance.

Because all we were is all we'll be
Affirm that our identity and legacy are built upon the experiences and actions of our past.

And all we are is the in-between of so far, so good
Describe our present state as the accumulation of everything we have experienced and achieved so far.

So forget every would, could, or should not
Urge letting go of regrets or dwelling on missed opportunities and instead embracing the present moment fully.

Forget remembering how we forgot
Encourage releasing the tendency to recall our past forgetfulness and focusing on the now.

Live like a plot twist exist now and in memory
Suggest living with spontaneity and unpredictability, creating memorable moments that will be cherished in the present and fondly remembered in the future.

Because we burn bright
Express our vibrant and radiant existence, shining brightly.

Our lights leave scars on the sun
Symbolize our significant impact and legacy, even on something as grand and powerful as the sun.

Let no one say we'll be undone by time's passing
Assert that the passage of time will not diminish or erase our existence and contributions.

The memories we are amassing will stand as testament
Highlight that the memories we are creating and accumulating serve as evidence and proof of our presence and impact.

That somehow we bend minds around the concept that we see others within ourselves.
Contemplate the remarkable and profound nature of empathy, where we can understand and relate to others by recognizing their experiences within our own being.

That self-knowledge can't be found on bookshelves
Emphasize that true understanding of oneself cannot be gained solely through reading and intellectual pursuits.

So who we are has no bearing on how we appear
Reinforce the importance of authenticity and the idea that our true selves are not defined by outward appearances.

Look directly into every mirror
Encourage self-reflection and introspection, confronting the truth and reality of our own identities.

Realize our reflection is the first sentence to a story
Acknowledge that our appearance and self-image serve as the starting point for our unique life journeys and narratives.

And our story starts: 'We were here.'
Assert that our stories begin with the simple declaration and affirmation of our presence and existence in the world.