Know Your Onion

The Shins

Shut out, pimpled and angry.

I quietly tied all my guts into knots.

Gave up on trying to make them,

I figured it'd take them too long to look up and besides...



It was undeniably clear to me i don't know why

When every other part of life seemed locked behind shutters

I knew what worthless dregs we've always been.



Lucked out and found my favorite records

Lying in wait at the birmingham mall.

The songs that i heard,

The occasional book

Were the only fun i ever took.

And i got on with making myself.

The trick is just making yourself.



But when they're parking their cars on your chest

You've still got a view of the summer sky

To make it hurt twice when your restless body

Caves to its whims

And suddenly struggles to take flight...



Three thousand miles north east

I left all my friends at the morning bus stop shaking their heads.

"what kind of life you dream of? you're allergic to love."

Yes i know but i must say in my own defense

It's been undeniably dear to me, i don't know why

When every other part of life seemed locked behind shutters

I knew the worthless dregs we are,

The selfless, loving saints we are,

The melting, sliding dice we've always been.