We Forgive

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a group or individual grappling with a difficult past, marked by a reluctance to forgive and a tendency towards internalizing conflict. The opening lines suggest a deep, almost physical devotion that's hard to express, like trying to speak through clenched teeth or swallowed pain. This devotion is tied to a struggle with communication and a resistance to easing tension, preferring instead to endure hardship. The central tension emerges in the chorus, where the narrator pleads for protection from nightmares of a loved one's death, even preferring their own demise. This intense desire highlights a profound fear of loss and a deep-seated guilt, amplified by the admission, "I haven't missed me yet." The act of forgiving is presented not as a natural inclination, but as a conscious choice, "Only the acts that we forgive," suggesting a deliberate process of moving past wrongs. A striking image is the comparison of their devotion and guilt to an "orchid recently resurrected," preserved in soil yet bearing thorns. This complex metaphor captures a sense of enduring pain alongside a fragile rebirth, a state of being both dead and alive, confined and seeking connection. The repeated phrase, "We are not known for our forgiveness," underscores this internal struggle, making the final declaration, "But regardless, we forgive," a powerful, hard-won resolution. Ultimately, these lyrics resonate because they articulate the messy, often painful work of letting go. The writing doesn't offer easy absolution but instead grounds the act of forgiveness in a visceral struggle against internal demons and past hurts. The contrast between the initial resistance and the final, albeit qualified, forgiveness creates a compelling emotional arc, suggesting that true forgiveness is an active choice to "letting go so we may live."