Off the World
Shoreline Is Lyrics

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Ever since we are holy fools
Trapped in bodies that
Just do not work right
At all

See, we’re not blind at night
Oh we can walk straight lines
But it doesn’t feel right

At all

A little off the world
Slowly off the world
So off the world
Wouldn’t hurt me

We’re held sub literate
There are sounds we make
That just can‘t sound right
At all

Would you cut off eye contact
When you don’t want to act
Shy and diffident
At all

A little off the world
Slowly off the world

So off the world
Wouldn’t hurt me

Overall Meaning

In "Off the World," Shoreline Is explores the idea of feeling disconnected from oneself and the world around them by describing the sensation of being a "holy fool" trapped in a body that does not function properly. The lyrics suggest that the singer is aware of their surroundings and able to navigate through them, but something about their experience feels off and wrong. This is particularly evident in the lines "See, we're not blind at night / Oh, we can walk straight lines / But it doesn't feel right / At all." The singer seems to be expressing a sense of disconnect from their own physical experience, as if their body is not properly aligned with their mind or soul.

Throughout the song, Shoreline Is touches on the idea that the singer's "offness" is not something that is widely understood or accepted. They describe feeling "held sub literate" and making sounds that "just can't sound right." These lines imply that the singer may feel as though they are not able to effectively communicate their experience to others, creating further feelings of loneliness and isolation. The final lines of the song, "A little off the world / Slowly off the world / So off the world / Wouldn't hurt me," suggest that the singer has come to accept their difference as a part of who they are and no longer feels the need to conform to societal expectations of normalcy in order to feel validated or accepted.

Overall, "Off the World" is a poignant and introspective meditation on the experience of feeling disconnected from oneself and the world around us. The lyrics suggest that this sense of disconnection can be a lonely and isolating experience, but also creates an opportunity for self-acceptance and the embrace of one's own uniqueness.

Line by Line Meaning

Ever since we are holy fools
From the very beginning, we have been perceived as foolish and naive, but in a holy manner.

Trapped in bodies that
We are confined to bodies that limit us and hinder our ability to function properly.

Just do not work right
Our bodies are flawed and malfunctioning, causing us to struggle and face difficulties in life.

See, we’re not blind at night
Although we may face challenges, we are aware and conscious of our surroundings, even in the darkest of times.

Oh we can walk straight lines
Despite our struggles, we are capable of meeting certain expectations and standards set by society or others.

But it doesn’t feel right
Even though we can meet certain expectations, it may not be natural or comfortable for us to do so.

A little off the world
We feel disconnected from the world around us, as if we don't fully fit in or belong.

Slowly off the world
This feeling of disconnect and alienation has been happening gradually over time.

So off the world
Our feeling of being different and disconnected is so strong that it's as if we are not even a part of this world.

Wouldn’t hurt me
Despite feeling off the world, it doesn't necessarily cause us emotional pain or distress.

We’re held sub literate
We are often underestimated and judged based on our appearances or behaviors, rather than our true capabilities or intelligence.

There are sounds we make
Our manner of speaking or communication may not conform to what is considered socially acceptable or normal.

That just can‘t sound right
Our way of communicating may be seen as strange or incorrect by others, further contributing to our feeling of being different or misunderstood.

Would you cut off eye contact
In uncomfortable or awkward situations, we may avoid eye contact as a way of avoiding the situation altogether.

When you don’t want to act
Sometimes it's easier to avoid a situation rather than try to force ourselves to fit in or conform to social norms.

Shy and diffident
Our natural disposition may be one of shyness or timidity, adding to our feeling of being awkward or out of place in social situations.

Contributed by Nora F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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