Story of the World
The Disco Biscuits Lyrics


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Slide against the fan, the room is clear,
Suddenly we have a vacuum.
In the mail a telegram, I could not wait, all aboard the caravan it leaves today,
And then the night comes on, the lights turn low,
Fall asleep, all alone,
Consider for a second the ways of the world.
Maybe I'll throw myself a bone.
Maybe I'll throw myself to the dogs,
But my back's not to the wall.
Maybe I'll lay some bricks for the man,
But the days just aren't that long.
So if I settle back and chill,
Will I see far enough to feel the angel's dream?
I thought it was the story of the world.

Can I call out and say, everybody here,
Lend me an ear to talk to.
Can I go out and scream, the ways of the world,
Without me singing another tune.
But the words are so familiar, I heard it before.
And you might dare to sing along.
With the crickets out chirping a random song,
Maybe I'll throw myself a bone.

Maybe I'll throw myself to the dogs,
But my back's not to the wall.
Maybe I'll lay some bricks for the man,
But the days just aren't that long.
So if I settle back and chill,
Will I see far enough to feel the angel's dream?
I thought it was the story of the world.

When frick turns to frack, there's no turning back,
And you got a slip tongue and a smack attack.
And there's colors like green and you're wearing black,
And you fall down flat on a railroad tracks.
But then the sun comes up and the day moves on,
And the old routine takes its toll,
And you feel like a copier rolling along,
Maybe you'd throw yourself a bone.

Maybe you'd throw yourself to the dogs,
But you back's not to the wall.
Maybe you'd lay some bricks for the man,
But the days just aren't that long.
And if you settle back and chill,
Will you see far enough to feel the angel's dream?

I thought it was the story of the world.




I thought it was the story of the world.
I thought it was the story.

Overall Meaning

The song "Story of the World" by The Disco Biscuits is a contemplative piece about life's purpose and the ways of the world. The first verse describes a moment of clarity, symbolized by a room suddenly becoming clear after sliding against a fan, and pondering the ways of the world while falling asleep. The second verse explores the idea of throwing oneself a bone, or finding personal fulfillment, whether through serving others or taking risks, but acknowledging the limitations of time and energy. The chorus repeats the line "I thought it was the story of the world," suggesting a disillusionment with what one may have believed to be the grand narrative of life.


The bridge of the song introduces some chaos and confusion, with phrases like "frick turns to frack" and "slip tongue and smack attack," reflecting the unpredictability of life. The image of falling on railroad tracks adds a sense of danger and vulnerability. However, the final verse circles back to the idea of personal fulfillment, wondering if settling back and observing life might lead to a spiritual awakening, symbolized by feeling the angel's dream.


Overall, "Story of the World" is a complex and introspective song that invites the listener to reflect on their own journey and purpose in life, while acknowledging that the answers may not be straightforward.


Line by Line Meaning

Slide against the fan, the room is clear,
I moved quickly and created a breeze that cleared the room.


Suddenly we have a vacuum.
The space in the room was filled by the absence of people and things that were there before.


In the mail a telegram, I could not wait, all aboard the caravan it leaves today,
I received an urgent message and felt the need to get going immediately, so I joined a group of people heading out that day.


And then the night comes on, the lights turn low,
As darkness falls, the lights dim, creating a change in atmosphere.


Fall asleep, all alone,
I drift off to sleep by myself.


Consider for a second the ways of the world.
I pause to reflect on the patterns and trends in how the world works.


Maybe I'll throw myself a bone.
Perhaps I'll reward myself for my efforts.


Maybe I'll throw myself to the dogs,
Maybe I'll take a risk and put myself in a difficult situation.


But my back's not to the wall.
I am not in a desperate or hopeless situation.


Maybe I'll lay some bricks for the man,
Perhaps I'll work hard to benefit someone else.


But the days just aren't that long.
I have limited time and resources to work with.


So if I settle back and chill,
If I relax and take it easy,


Will I see far enough to feel the angel's dream?
Can I awaken to a higher level of consciousness?


I thought it was the story of the world.
I used to believe that this was the way things worked in the world.


Can I call out and say, everybody here,
Can I speak up and address the people around me?


Lend me an ear to talk to.
Can you listen to what I have to say?


Can I go out and scream, the ways of the world,
Can I express my frustrations about the current state of the world?


Without me singing another tune.
Without just repeating what others have already said.


But the words are so familiar, I heard it before.
The ideas and phrases I want to express are not new or original.


And you might dare to sing along.
Others might join me in expressing these common ideas.


With the crickets out chirping a random song,
The natural world around me is making its own sounds.


When frick turns to frack, there's no turning back,
Once things start to go wrong, it's difficult to reverse course.


And you got a slip tongue and a smack attack.
You find yourself saying the wrong thing at the wrong time and facing the consequences.


And there's colors like green and you're wearing black,
You see bright, lively things all around you, but you're feeling sad or depressed.


And you fall down flat on a railroad tracks.
You have a sudden, unexpected failure or setback.


But then the sun comes up and the day moves on,
Eventually, time passes and new opportunities arise.


And the old routine takes its toll,
Going back to doing things the way they've always been done becomes tiring and unsatisfying.


And you feel like a copier rolling along,
You feel like a machine just going through the motions.


Maybe you'd throw yourself a bone.
Perhaps you'd reward yourself for making it through a tough situation.


And if you settle back and chill,
If you relax and take it easy,


Will you see far enough to feel the angel's dream?
Can you awaken to a higher level of consciousness?


I thought it was the story of the world.
You used to believe that this was the way things worked in the world.




Contributed by Jackson K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@shrimp6la

An amazing song all the way through. For those who are impatient, jam is at 4:36

@tumbleweed9594

LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@sealbreakers2685

This is still my favorite story

@tomlacomis3523

still jammin this Christmas eve 2015!

@withinyouwithutyu1324

Cheers from Feb 2022

@AppleMan531

Purchased this CD for Five Bucks at the show in Coney Island on Friday night 9/22/2017. Was the first time I saw them. I've seen The Grateful Dead hundreds of times in my life. I really loved the show! The fans at the show were also cool.

@seanschechter3325

welcome

@onewiththeragingwind6730

RIP

@rschmitz40

I was at that show!! The night they played no sleep till Brooklyn??

@adrianmeyer9001

12-30-2004. Second night at E Factory begins second set. What a great night. The Morph was another highlight of this show and is on The Wind At Four To FlyπŸ˜€

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