Slight Figure Of Speech
The Avett Brothers Lyrics

They say you've gotta lose a couple fights to win
Sometimes, it takes some setbacks to ultimately come out on top.

It's hard to tell from where I'm sitting
It's difficult to know if this is true or not.

They say that this is where the fun begins
They claim that the upcoming events will be more enjoyable.

I guess it's time that I was quitting
I suppose it's time to give up.

A slight figure of speech
The words I'm using may not fully convey my meaning.

I cut my chest wide open
I'm revealing my vulnerabilities and innermost feelings

They come and watch us bleed
Others take pleasure in witnessing and exploiting our pain.

Is it art like I was hoping now?
Is this what I had hoped to achieve artistically?

They said 'I hope that you will never change'
Someone expressed a desire for me to remain the same.

I went and cut my hair
I changed my appearance in spite of their request.

They say 'Don't take your business to the big time'
They advised against trying to reach a larger, more mainstream audience.

I bought us tickets there, oh
Despite their advice, I still went for it.

What did you expect
What were your expectations?

And what did you forget
What did you overlook or fail to remember?

That to live you let go of me with each step
With every step forward in life, we must leave some things and people behind.

It becomes a progression I won't let regret manifest
I refuse to allow my past mistakes to hinder my personal growth.

To aggression
Instead of succumbing to anger and hostility,

Are you to assess what I've been? What I am? Or become?
Who are you to judge my past, present, or future self?

Did you stop to accept how pathetically dumb
Have you taken a moment to acknowledge how foolish and unnecessary

It can be to attack those around 'cause you're
It is pointless to hurt others simply because of superficial differences like location or time period.

True to color, a town, a time, or a place?
Being loyal to one's hometown, era, or ethnicity is not a valid reason to treat others poorly.

It's not you, it's not mine
It's not about you, and it's not about me.

And besides it is gone
It's in the past now, and there's no changing that.

And you never will find it again
Even if you search for it, you can't recapture what's already gone.

But I don't want to fight
I'm not interested in arguing or causing strife.

I just ask let me be
I'm simply requesting to be left alone.

I won't give the chance to be my enemy
I'm not going to allow someone to become my adversary.

So go home
Leave me in peace.

Think it through
Consider your actions and attitudes carefully before acting.

A jet plane and a big idea
I have ambitious plans and am willing to travel to achieve them.

I jump over the sea
I'm not afraid to take risks and go beyond my comfort zone.

What if's hot on my trail
Fears of negative outcomes are following me closely.

But they can't catch me, no
But I refuse to let those fears hold me back.