Being Here
The Stills Lyrics

The Stills' song "Being Here" is a somber and melancholic reflection on the tribulations of life, and the endurance required to persevere through suffering. The opening line "We ride through these plains of hurt / Through the Southern breathing rock / On a railroad of knots" creates a vivid image of traversing a harsh and unforgiving landscape. This metaphorical journey through pain and suffering is further emphasized by the line "And there's blood on the lines / Of every page I turn", suggesting that every experience is marked by a difficult and painful memory. The stanza concludes with the tragic observation that "When the ones you love / Are the ones you burn", implying that the people we care about the most often end up causing us the most harm.

The chorus of "Being Here" emphasizes the importance of staying present in the face of adversity. The repetition of the phrase "Being here" serves as a reminder to focus on the present moment, rather than dwelling on past mistakes or anxieties about the future. The second verse reinforces this sentiment with the line "I've been everywhere enough / I've been torn apart by the world", suggesting that the singer has experienced enough suffering to understand the futility of wallowing in regret or self-pity. Despite the pain, there are still fleeting moments of beauty and hope to be found, as represented by the line "But there's apples in the trees / And diamonds in the earth".

The final stanza of "Being Here" returns to the image of a treacherous and unforgiving landscape, as the singer battles against the elements and their own emotions. The line "And the wind is blown and cold / And I can't escape the tears" captures the feeling of being battered by life's challenges, while the subsequent line "One for every broken bone / And a hundred for all the years" suggests that the singer has suffered greatly over an extended period of time. Despite this overwhelming burden, the song ends on a note of determination and resilience, with the repeated refrain of "Being here" serving as a declaration of the singer's commitment to persisting through even the toughest of times.