I May Know The Word

Natalie Merchant's song 'I May Know The Word' delves into the internal conflict between knowledge and action, and the pervasive sense of indifference that can paralyze a person. The lyrics explore the idea of knowing what is right or true but failing to act on that knowledge. This theme is evident in lines like 'I may know the word / But not say it' and 'I may know the truth / But not face it,' which highlight the gap between understanding and action. The repetition of 'indifferent' underscores the emotional detachment and apathy that the speaker feels, despite their awareness of what needs to be done.

The song also touches on the struggle for deliverance and the desire to break free from this state of indifference. The imagery of being 'on my knees / Groping in the dark' suggests a plea for help and a yearning for clarity and purpose. However, the recurring phrase 'it's all grey here' reflects a sense of hopelessness and the difficulty of finding a way out of this emotional and mental fog. The grey symbolizes the ambiguity and lack of clear direction in the speaker's life, making it challenging to move forward.

In the latter part of the song, Merchant introduces the idea of internal walls and demons, representing the personal barriers and struggles that the speaker faces. The lines 'I've paced between them / Chasing demons down / Until they fall' depict a relentless battle with inner fears and doubts. The 'tangled threads' that 'riddle me to solve' suggest the complexity of these internal conflicts and the ongoing effort to untangle and understand them. This introspective journey highlights the difficulty of overcoming indifference and the need for self-awareness and determination to break free from it.