So Says I
The Shins Lyrics

An address to the golden door
A reference to a new opportunity or venture, possibly with great potential.

I was strumming on a stone again
Feeling stagnant and unproductive, lacking inspiration or purpose.

Pulling teeth from the pimps of gore
Struggling to extract something valuable or worthwhile from something unpleasant or undesirable.

When hatched a tragic opera in my mind
When a troubling or distressing idea occurred to me, taking on a dramatic or operatic quality.

And it told of a new design in which every soul is duty bound
The idea suggested a new paradigm or societal structure in which everyone has a responsibility to uphold certain rules or regulations.

To uphold all the statutes of boredom
To conform to a mundane, monotonous way of life or routine.

Therein lies the fatal flaw of the red age
This adherence to boredom and conformity is what ultimately leads to societal downfall or collapse.

'Cause it was nothing like we'd ever dreamt
What we ended up with was vastly different than what we had hoped for or envisioned.

Our lust for life had gone away with the rent we hated
Our desire to live passionately or fully had been replaced by the burden of financial obligations or struggle.

'Cause it made no money, nobody saved no one's life this time
The societal structure or system being followed failed to create financial success or save anyone from harm or danger.

So we burned all our uniforms
We rejected the system or roles we had been forced into.

And let nature take its course again
We allowed ourselves to be guided by our instincts and natural inclinations.

And the big ones just eat all the little ones
Those who have more power or success tend to dominate or exploit those who are weaker or less fortunate.

That sends us back to the drawing board
This realization forces us to reevaluate our approach or strategy.

In our darkest hours
During our most difficult or trying times.

We have all asked for some
We have all wished for some external force or intervention.

Angel to come
To come and provide guidance or relief.

Sprinkle his dust all around
To bring positive energy or influence to the situation.

But all our crying voices they can't turn it around
Our appeals or cries for help are not enough to change the situation or outcome on their own.

And you've had some crazy conversations of your own
You have likely experienced or contemplated similar difficulties or challenges.

We've got rules and maps and guns in our backs
We are controlled or oppressed by societal norms, regulations, and systems that are enforced through violent means.

But we still can't just behave ourselves
Even with these limitations and restrictions, we are unable or unwilling to follow them completely.

Even if to save our own lives
Despite the fact that following these rules could potentially save us from harm or danger.

So says I
This is what I believe to be true or accurate.

We are a brutal kind, whoa
Humans by nature are often aggressive, harsh, or unforgiving.

'Cause this is nothing like we'd ever dreamt
Once again emphasizing the discrepancy between our expectations and reality.

Tell Sir Thomas More we've got another failed attempt
Referencing the failed attempt to create a Utopian society in Thomas More's book 'Utopia', suggesting that our attempts at societal improvement are similarly doomed to fail.

'Cause if it makes them money
If a certain approach or system generates financial profit or success.

They might just give you life this time
There is a chance that those with power or influence will grant us success or survival if we follow their rules or expectations.