We Were Children
Tribes Lyrics
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A Sunday afternoon
When they took you away
Down to Hades in a shopping trolley
With a magazine and a suitcase
They stole your clothes
I took your watch
Why is it always those you love the most
You criticise?
Say oh no stranger
You're just like me
These things happen
We were children
In the mid-90s
Say oh no stranger
You're just like me
We get older
They get younger
It was you or me
We stood there
Throwing ice cream in your hair
Oh I solemnly swear
It's the thing I life I regret the most
Leaving you standing there
And if you asked me
I'd pull my eyes out
And when I woke up blind
If you forgave me I would sleep at night
Knowing I've led a good life
Say oh no stranger
You're just like me
These things happen
We were children
In the mid-90s
Say oh no stranger
You're just like me
We get older
They get younger
It was you or me
Learning how to keep living
Oh no stranger
You're just like me
These things happen
We were children
In the mid-90s
Say oh no stranger
You're just like me
We get older
They get younger
It was you or me
In Tribes’ song, “We Were Children”, the band explores the idea of growing up and the mistakes made along the way. The song begins by recalling a specific moment in time, a Sunday afternoon in the mid-90s when someone close to the singer was taken away. The image of being taken down to Hades in a shopping trolley creates an otherworldly atmosphere, and the stolen clothes and watch add to the feeling of injustice. However, the singer also acknowledges that they couldn’t look their loved one in the eyes and that it’s often those we love the most that we criticize. The idea of criticizing and hurting those closest to us is a recurring theme in the song.
The chorus of “We Were Children” repeats the phrase, “Oh no stranger, you’re just like me,” emphasizing the idea that we all make mistakes and do things we regret later in life. The lyrics suggest that growing up is a learning process, and as we get older, we may look back on our youth with a sense of nostalgia and regret. The bridge of the song adds a sense of yearning, with the singer swearing they would give up their sight if it meant forgiveness from their loved one. The final refrain acknowledges that mistakes are a universal part of life, but with learning comes growth.
Line by Line Meaning
It was a day like today
On a Sunday afternoon, similar to today
When they took you away
When others removed you from me
Down to Hades in a shopping trolley
To a bad place, as if in a shopping cart
With a magazine and a suitcase
Bringing reading material and clothing
They stole your clothes
They took your attire
I took your watch
I took your timepiece
I couldn't look you in the eyes
I found it difficult to make eye contact
Why is it always those you love the most
Why do we scrutinize those we care about the most?
You criticise?
You find fault?
Say oh no stranger
Exclaim that you are not unfamiliar
You're just like me
That we are very similar
These things happen
This is just the way life goes
We were children
We were young and innocent
In the mid-90s
During the middle of the 1990s decade
We get older
We age over time
They get younger
Others seem to become younger around us
It was you or me
One of us had to bear the consequences
We stood there
We were stationary
Throwing ice cream in your hair
Tossing dessert at your head
Oh I solemnly swear
I sincerely promise
It's the thing I life I regret the most
The act that I lament the most
Leaving you standing there
Leaving you all alone
And if you asked me
If you were to inquire of me
I'd pull my eyes out
I would express my despair by gouging my own eyes
And when I woke up blind
If I went to sleep with no vision and awoke the same way
If you forgave me I would sleep at night
If you granted forgiveness, I would be able to find peace
Knowing I've led a good life
With the understanding that I've lived well
Learning how to keep living
Discovering how to endure existence
Lyrics © Global Talent Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JAMES MICHAEL CRATCHLEY, MIGUEL KOCH, JONATHAN SAMUEL LLOYD, DAN WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RioCruz
jfc its 2019 and still hoping they'd come back together
@serialkizza
Well well well
@MonticArckeys
Just saw them tonight, smashed it!
@thegrinderman1090
@@MonticArckeys This band I saw once 10 years ago and haven't thought about since just popped into my head and I had to look them up to remember what their big song was. First I see a comment from 5 years ago saying they've broken up. The second comment I see is from 2 years ago hoping they get back together, and the third I see is yours saying their show last night was great. What a rollercoaster!
@MonticArckeys
@@thegrinderman1090 haha, that's a great timeline that!
@al3xal
You kinda misspelled 2022*
@nadialexa
It's extremely sad to hear you guys are splitting up. One of the great bands I've heard. I was so happy when I found your masterpieces, it's really unfair. But they'll remain for eternity, thanks for making awesome music and touching so much hearts. You'll never be forgotten!
Love you Tribes!
@chamachuchi
They're now back!
@TheGobblingGoblin
this aged poorly
@creamycanarie98
R.I.P. Tribes.