Atlas
Traverser Lyrics


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I have made mistakes
I've been treading water
I have watched the distance take my place
I have told you lies
Words I can't remember
Swept beneath the truth along the way

After all, where are we
Do we know any better
One slip of the compass
And we are lost

Carry on this way
A stranger in a stranger home
Tired is all I can afford
Question why we
How can I remember what we find
What defines the prize and what we know

After all, where are we
Do we know any better
One slip of the compass
And we are lost

Travel the night in circles
Into the waters occupied
Edge of the earth
Send me away if I...

Too far away
Do we know any better

After all, where are we
Do we know any better
One slip




One slip of the compass
And we are lost

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Traverser's song Atlas speak of a person who has made mistakes, lied and struggled to keep up with life. The lines 'I have made mistakes, I've been treading water' convey a sense of someone who is lost and just barely keeping their head ever so slightly above the water despite some questionable actions. The phrase 'One slip of the compass and we are lost' brings forth this notion that one wrong turn or decision sets you back where you have to start all over again. The song also touches on the idea of moving forward but ultimately being unsure of where life is taking you, with lines like 'Carry on this way, a stranger in a stranger home' depicting feelings of being lost and not belonging.


The lyrics delve into the idea of questioning one's existence and purpose, with lines like 'Question why we, how can I remember what we find' suggesting confusion about what we are looking for or what we want to accomplish. The lines 'Travel the night in circles, into the waters occupied' speak of going around in circles without really making any progress, and 'Edge of the earth, send me away if I...' leaves the listener to wonder what the person is seeking to escape from or trying to find beyond the borders of their world.


Line by Line Meaning

I have made mistakes
I acknowledge that I have made errors in judgement or action


I've been treading water
I have been stagnant, making no progress and staying afloat without moving forward


I have watched the distance take my place
I have observed how time and distance has separate me from someone or something that I regret losing


I have told you lies
I have not been truthful in my communication with others


Words I can't remember
There have been instances where I cannot recall what I have said, leading to uncertainty or potential for misinterpretation


Swept beneath the truth along the way
My dishonesty or inability to remember has led to the truth being concealed or ignored


After all, where are we
In light of everything that has happened, what is our current situation or location?


Do we know any better
Is there any improvement in our knowledge, understanding or experience?


One slip of the compass
A single mistake or miscalculation in navigating direction can lead to being lost


And we are lost
The consequence of an error in judgement is being left directionless and uncertain


Carry on this way
Continue forward in this path or state


A stranger in a stranger home
Feeling disconnected and unfamiliar in a place that should be familiar or comfortable


Tired is all I can afford
Exhaustion is the only result I can achieve, given my current limitations or circumstances


Question why we
Expressing doubt or confusion as to why we are going through these circumstances or why certain choices were made


How can I remember what we find
It may be difficult to remember or fully understand the significance of what we discover


What defines the prize and what we know
What constitutes success or reward, and how does what we know measure up in this?


Travel the night in circles
Continuously moving forward but not making progress or getting closer to one's destination


Into the waters occupied
Venturing into unknown, potentially occupied territory


Edge of the earth
The outer limit of where one can go or explore


Send me away if I...
If I do something that is unacceptable or not in line with expectations, please tell me to leave


Too far away
The distance between people or situations is insurmountable, leading to separation or detachment




Writer(s): Traverser

Contributed by Bailey D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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