The First Verb

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of intense internal struggle, a desperate attempt to break free from a perceived reality that feels "flawed." The narrator describes "scratching my eyes for lusting to look at the sky" and "clawing at the dirt," suggesting a visceral, almost violent rejection of their current state and a yearning for something beyond it. This initial phase is marked by a desire to "make myself less," indicating a deep self-negation and a feeling of being trapped or diminished. The core tension emerges with the introduction of "light" and the repeated ascent, "Up, up, up." This upward movement, initially tied to external validation ("when you saw my light"), transforms into an internal declaration of resilience: "I cannot keep me down." The lyrics introduce a duality, personifying a "beast" that is initially dangerous and caged, but can become a "mage" and a guide when "let out of the cage." This suggests that the very parts of the self that were suppressed or feared are the source of power and direction. The most striking craft element is the transformation of the "beast" and the shift in self-perception. The beast, initially a symbol of destructive rage, is reframed as a source of guidance and power. This is mirrored in the "Shadow"'s emergence, who moves from seeing themselves "inside of a dream" to declaring "I am a light," a "blazing sun," and "illumination." The repetition of "I am" builds an undeniable assertion of selfhood and inherent worth, directly countering the earlier desire to "make myself less." These lyrics resonate because they articulate the difficult process of reclaiming agency from internal conflict. The journey from self-loathing and confinement to self-acceptance and empowerment is depicted through potent, physical imagery and a powerful, escalating affirmation of being. The transformation of the "beast" into a guiding force is a compelling metaphor for integrating one's darker or suppressed aspects into a source of strength, ultimately leading to the collective declaration that "with your help I am gonna be alright."