This Is The Time (Ballast) - Acoustic

The song deals with deep feelings of despair and disconnection. It paints a picture of people feeling like they’re sinking under the weight of their lives. There's a strong urge to reflect on personal choices and how those choices can lead to isolation. Throughout the lyrics, there’s a push to break free from this heaviness and find a way back to what truly matters.

Verse 1

When did we become these sinking stones?
When did we build this broken home?
Holding each other like ransom notes
Dropping our hearts to grip our brother's throats

This verse sets a heavy tone and raises questions about how we got to this point of despair. The imagery of "sinking stones" suggests feeling weighed down and lost. The idea of a "broken home" hints at relationships that are fractured and painful. The lines about holding each other like "ransom notes" show how people can cling to each other out of desperation, but it’s toxic. It’s like they’re hurting each other instead of supporting each other.

Chorus

I'm... on the bottom of the ocean floor
Eye for eye
I'm drowning just to keep the score
Blaming the world outside ourselves

In the chorus, the feeling of being trapped continues. "Bottom of the ocean floor" symbolizes deep despair, while "drowning just to keep the score" suggests a struggle to keep up with life’s challenges. There's a sense of blame directed outward, making it clear that people are stuck in this cycle of negativity. It feels like they’re caught in a fight with themselves and each other, rather than seeking real solutions.

Verse 2

You can't see because you don't know
You're caught below, beneath your own shadow
Stuck inside, half alive
Do you ever stop to ask yourself why?

Here, the focus shifts to awareness, or the lack of it. The lines suggest a struggle with self-recognition and understanding. People are trapped under their own shadows, unable to see the truth about themselves. The question of "why" encourages listeners to think deeply about their choices and their impact on their lives. It’s a call to wake up and confront the reality of their situation.

Chorus

Close your mind, identify
Do you feel, do you feel?
Do you call this a life?

This chorus emphasizes introspection. The invitation to "close your mind" seems to suggest stepping away from distractions and really thinking. The repetition of "do you feel" is powerful. It pushes for an emotional response and questions whether the current state of life is truly fulfilling. It’s a moment of pause, asking us to reflect on what we’re living for.

Bridge

All you waited for
Drowning just to keep score
We always start with good intentions
But lose ourselves along the way

In the bridge, the lyrics highlight a common human experience: starting with hope but ending up lost. The phrase "drowning just to keep score" resurfaces, reinforcing the idea of being trapped in a cycle of competition or negativity. It’s a reminder that while intentions may be good, it’s easy to stray from what’s important and lose sight of ourselves in the process.

Chorus

This is the time that we let it go
These are the words that will take us home
Singing the song that's inside us all

This chorus shifts towards hope. It speaks of letting go of burdens and finding a way back to one’s true self. The idea of "singing the song that's inside us all" suggests that everyone has a unique voice or calling that deserves to be expressed. It’s a powerful reminder that we can reclaim our lives if we choose to.

Outro

Naked we come, naked we leave
Fools we are, to hold tightly
We are free, we are free
Oh

The outro brings a sense of liberation. The lines about coming and leaving "naked" suggest the idea that we enter and exit life without material possessions or burdens. It encourages freedom from what we cling to. The repetition of "we are free" really drives home the message that letting go can lead to true liberation and peace.

Closing Thoughts

Overall, "This Is The Time (Ballast) - Acoustic" is a deep reflection on human struggles and the importance of self-awareness. It urges us to look within, confront our pain, and ultimately find our freedom. The song’s emotional weight paired with its hopeful message makes it a powerful anthem for anyone feeling lost or trapped.