The Sky Is Falling

I thought that “Broken Lungs” was a very political song for Thrice, but “The Sky Is Falling” goes even further. It challenges American jingoism, and sings out that “the sky is falling, and no one will care as long as it lands overseas.” For we Americans and those oversees are “just miles apart, but worlds away.”

And yet, this song avoids the self-righteousness that our protests so easily become. For the lyricist Dustin Kensrue places himself squarely among the frightened and angry – but he does not want these feelings to push him toward hatred or violence. “I want to be strong enough to not let my fear decide my fate,” “I want to be strong enough to not let my terror turn to hate.” He writes so personally and openly as to sing of his daughter: “My little girl is just a baby! And I’m scared that she won’t make her teens, but my fear just fuels the hate machine.” As with “Broken Lungs,” these lyrics protest in a way that is thoroughly Christian, by protesting what is wrong, but also immediately looking for what is wrong in oneself.

It’s coming down, it’s coming down, it’s coming down!
These clouds could never hope to save us
From such a juggernaut of weight
We all dance a jingo cabaret
It’s coming down, it’s coming down!
There are shadows forming on the pavement
We face a watershed of hate
we’re just miles apart but worlds away

The sky is falling and no one
Will lift their eyes to see
The sky is falling and no one
Will care as long as it lands overseas

It’s coming down, it’s coming down, it’s coming down!
This roof could never hope to save me
And my family from sudden death
If we could leave we would have left
It’s coming down, it’s coming down!
My little girl is just a baby
And I’m scared that she won’t make her teens
But my fear just fuels the hate machine

The sky is falling and no one
Will lift their eyes to see
The sky is falling and no one
Will care as long as it lands overseas

I want to be strong enough
To not let my fear decide my fate
Surrounded by jingoists
I don’t want any part of this
I want to be strong enough
To not let my terror turn to hate
Surrounded by jingoists
I don’t want any part of this

About these ads