All We Know

Song Meaning

“All We Know” immediately plunges into a feeling of personal inadequacy against a vast, overwhelming backdrop. The speaker observes someone, then questions their own place: “How should I be? What can I do?” There's a clear struggle to maintain a sense of self and connection in a world that feels too big. The central tension here is the immense effort required to simply *not* “fall apart” in a world constantly pushing back. The lyrics describe external pressures, from “hardened views” seen in the news to an “even pressure pull on what we hear,” making personal resilience a monumental task. This societal weight directly informs the speaker's internal struggle for stability. The most striking craft element is the repeated chorus, which acts as a powerful, almost defiant mantra. The phrase “it takes so much strength” isn't just a statement; its repetition hammers home the sheer, exhausting effort required to stay whole. Yet, this acknowledgment of difficulty culminates in the simple, almost childlike assertion that “time and love and heart are all we know,” cutting through the complexity with a fundamental, grounding truth. These lyrics are effective because they articulate a universal feeling of being overwhelmed by both personal and global challenges, then offer a clear, albeit hard-won, anchor. The shift from individual inadequacy to broader societal “wars” makes the speaker’s struggle feel deeply connected to a larger human condition.