Where Do We Draw The Line?

Poets Of The Fall's song 'Where Do We Draw The Line?' delves into the existential questions and emotional struggles that define the human experience. The lyrics open with vivid imagery, describing 'an endless wonder' on a palm and 'tireless hunger' in the eyes, setting the stage for a journey through introspection and self-discovery. The song questions the boundaries we set in our lives, both internally and externally, and the lines we draw to separate our desires from our realities.

The chorus repeatedly asks, 'What does tomorrow want with me?' and 'Where do we draw the line?' These questions reflect a deep uncertainty about the future and a struggle to find one's place in a world that often feels predetermined. The lyrics suggest a sense of helplessness, as if the singer is caught in a charade, unable to distinguish the right time to act from the time to wait. This theme is further emphasized by the metaphor of a 'cage already there around the bird,' symbolizing the constraints and limitations imposed by society and personal circumstances.

The song also touches on themes of loneliness and longing, as seen in lines like 'The weight of loneliness stands on your feet' and 'Where's my mother's open arms? Where's my father lionheart?' These lines evoke a sense of nostalgia and a yearning for simpler, more comforting times. The imagery of 'the Sun's gone down' and 'autumn's browns leaves' adds a melancholic tone, suggesting the passage of time and the inevitability of change. Ultimately, the song concludes with a declaration of freedom and self-determination: 'At least I'm here, at least I'm free. Free to choose to see the signs. This is my line.' This final statement underscores the importance of personal agency and the power to define one's own path, despite the uncertainties and challenges that lie ahead.