Song Meaning
The narrator opens with a stark childhood dream of absolute nothingness, a void so terrifying that the fear of ceasing to exist becomes worse than any hell. This existential dread, however, is immediately countered by a primal, almost automatic drive: "we always do." It’s a powerful statement about inherent resilience, the simple act of waking up and continuing, not out of conscious choice but out of an ingrained human imperative.
This drive propels the narrator into a present-day struggle, framed as a boxing match. The opponent is described as "way too low," suggesting perhaps an unfair or even self-inflicted fight, with no external authority figure to intervene. The physical toll is immense, with the narrator taking "blow by blow" and ending up "on my knees," facing a encroaching "darkness." Yet, even as physical and mental faculties falter, the core refrain returns: "i'll wake because we always do."
The lyrics masterfully juxtapose the abstract terror of non-existence with the visceral reality of physical conflict. The dream of nothingness and the boxing match both represent overwhelming challenges, moments where giving up seems like the only option. The repeated phrase "we always do" acts as an anchor, a testament to an unyielding spirit that pushes forward simply because that is what living beings are wired to do, even when hope feels distant and the body is failing.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their raw portrayal of an internal battle against despair. The shift from a childhood nightmare to a present-day fight grounds the abstract fear in tangible struggle. The unwavering repetition of "we always do" transforms from a simple observation into a defiant mantra, highlighting the profound, almost unconscious strength that allows us to face the darkness and greet a "new day."