Story Behind The Song

This song was inspired by a line in a Pema Chodron book exploring hope, suffering, and death. She suggests that instead of hanging signs on our wall that state "everyday is getting better and better" or "anything is possible," we should hang a poster that says "Abandon Hope." This song is an unapologetic confrontation of human suffering. It attempts to face the negative aspects of life head on and question that which tries to brush it aside.

Lyrics

We all die we all die we all die
Everyday
We walk in loss
Loss of love, loss of self, loss of family
Loss of work, loss of home, we are always losing
Everyday
Abandon Hope
You'll be happy

You cannot worry if you have nothing to lose
But then you also cannot live
You cannot worry if you know in your heart
You will lose you will lose you will lose you will...

And you're alive you're alive you're alive
You win, you lose
You live, you die
This is fine...

We all lie we all lie we all lie
Everyday
We wear our masks
Pretend to be a saint, pretend to be a queen, pretend to be happy
Pretend to be a saint, pretend to be a queen, pretend to be shiny
Everyday

They hang these posters on the wall like,
"Determination"
They tell us, "God will favor all"
Favor our hopes, favor our nation
They tell us, "Smile and you'll be happy!"
They tell us, "You'll find joy when you finally marry"
They tell us, "Stay in line!" and "Have faith.
Good things will come to those who wait."

And we all die we all die we all die
But you're alive you're alive you're alive

Life is great
But do not hope for more
Do not wait
For the day
When there is not a chore
A day when there is not a war
A day when you no longer cry
A day when you don't say goodbye
A day when you no longer remember his name
Do not wait for something better something
better something...

Cause we all die we all die we all die...
And you're alive you're alive you're alive...
I'm alive/You're alive/We're alive