No Way Down
The Shins Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Meet the son of a government man
And a pillar of salt
I was born with blood on my hands
And have all the signs of a bleeding heart

Living high on a giant hawk
On a mountain so steep
Keep your head in a hollow log
As the ruling fog are about to creep

What have we done?
How'd we get so far from the sun?
Lost, lost in an oscillating phase
Where a tiny few catch all of the rays

Out beyond the western squalls
In an Indian land
They work for nothing at all
They don't know the mall or the layaway plan

Dig yourself a beautiful grave
Everything you could want
Maybe those invisible slaves
Are too far away for a ghost to haunt

What do we charge?
Letting go of a claim so large
Oh, all of our working days are done
But a tiny few are having all of the fun

Get used to the dust in your lungs

Is there no way down
From this peak to solid ground
Without having our gold teeth
Pulled from our mouth

Make me a drink strong enough
To wash away this dishwater world they said was lemonade
Walk with me after the show
Maybe we can find a way through the minefield in the snow

What are they charged?
Letting go of a claim so large
Oh, all of our working days are done
But a tiny few are having all of the fun





Apologies to the sick and the young
Get used to the dust in your lungs

Overall Meaning

The Shins’s “No Way Down” portrays a world that is starkly broken, with a few privileged elites dominating the majority. The song is a commentary on the power structure that exists in modern-day society, with the elite at the top enjoying all the benefits, while the rest of us struggle to survive. The son of a government man and a pillar of salt, the singer realizes how he is born into a world that is already corrupt and paints himself as bleeding heart with blood on his hands.


The song speaks about this oscillating phase of society, a phase where only the few catch all of the rays of the sun, leaving the rest in darkness. The invisible slaves that the lyrics talk about are the ones that work hard and yet get nothing in return. The songwriter believes that there is no way down from this peak to solid ground, without having their gold teeth pulled from their mouths. The dust in the lungs represents the pollution and filth that people have to endure in order to survive.


At the same time, the song also speaks of perseverance and hope. The singer asks for a drink strong enough to wash away the dishwater world and hopes that there is a way through the minefield in the snow. This line symbolizes the fact that even in the darkest of times, there is a way to find a path forward.


Line by Line Meaning

Meet the son of a government man
Introducing oneself as the descendent of a high-ranking official.


And a pillar of salt
Being born of someone who is apparently oddly inactive and passive.


I was born with blood on my hands
Having a legacy of violence in my family or community.


And have all the signs of a bleeding heart
Being compassionate despite belonging to an aggressive environment.


Living high on a giant hawk
Living on an elevated or privileged place.


On a mountain so steep
Being immensely successful or rich.


Keep your head in a hollow log
Hiding one's identity or intentions to survive a dangerous situation.


As the ruling fog are about to creep
As the oppressive and dominant individuals or group is about to attack.


What have we done?
Reflecting on the questionable decisions or actions taken.


How'd we get so far from the sun?
Wondering how everything has gone so wrong and fallen from grace.


Lost, lost in an oscillating phase
Feeling confused and uncertain about the current state because it keeps changing.


Where a tiny few catch all of the rays
Where the benefits and rewards are only given to a small group of people.


Out beyond the western squalls
Far away from the perceived cultured or developed part of the world.


In an Indian land
In a developing nation or among the poor and marginalized.


They work for nothing at all
Having no choice but to work for free or without proper compensation.


They don't know the mall or the layaway plan
Being disconnected or unaware of the consumerist lifestyle, buying trends, or marketing schemes.


Dig yourself a beautiful grave
Working hard to accomplish something that ends up being self-destructive or counterproductive.


Everything you could want
Having every material possession and luxury possible.


Maybe those invisible slaves
Possibly referring to the unseen, unappreciated, or undervalued laborers.


Are too far away for a ghost to haunt
Being so far removed that the consequences of exploitation do not affect the privileged.


What do we charge?
Wondering how much the wealthy and powerful will pay for sacrificing the rights and wellbeing of others.


Letting go of a claim so large
Looking for ways to relinquish responsibility for the impact of actions or decisions.


Oh, all of our working days are done
Having achieved everything possible and not having to work anymore.


But a tiny few are having all of the fun
Realizing that only a handful of people are enjoying the benefits while the rest suffer.


Get used to the dust in your lungs
Telling someone to accept the harmful and adverse effects of their environment or situation.


Is there no way down
Thinking about whether it's possible to return to one's roots or humble beginnings.


From this peak to solid ground
Finding a way to escape the highest level of success, riches, or power.


Without having our gold teeth
Without being robbed or exploited for one's wealth, talent, or resources.


Pulled from our mouth
Losing everything that one has held onto and treasured.


Make me a drink strong enough
Asking for a powerful remedy or solution to cope with the problems and stressors one faces.


To wash away this dishwater world they said was lemonade
To rid oneself of the false promises and lies that were presented as opportunities or solutions.


Walk with me after the show
Asking someone to join the journey of life and face the challenges together.


Maybe we can find a way through the minefield in the snow
Perhaps by uniting and collaborating, we can navigate through the danger and difficulty that lies ahead.


What are they charged?
Asking what the guilty or responsible parties are being held accountable for.


Letting go of a claim so large
Releasing control or ownership of something significant or valuable.


Oh, all of our working days are done
Having reached the end of one's career or life.


But a tiny few are having all of the fun
Realizing how unfair the distribution of wealth, power and enjoyment is.


Apologies to the sick and the young
Acknowledging the damage or harm caused to the vulnerable and innocent.


Get used to the dust in your lungs
Encouraging someone to adjust to and tolerate unfavorable, harsh or unsafe conditions.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JAMES MERCER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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