This song is a biographical rumination about someone I worked with. They were what I describe as a “bulldog”–all of their communications were a pre-emptive strike on perceived attacks. I don’t know that it’s great psychoanalysis or great lyrics. But I can’t get the tune out of my head.
The Calm after the Storm
Greg Scheer, 2000You lived by the dagger, but died by the sword.
It was bound to happen eventually.
You won every battle but still lost the war,
but that’s something you couldn’t see.Because your mind’s eye could only see enemies
threatening to topple you from your fragile throne.
Each person a challenge; each challenge a defeat;
each defeat brought more anger; and your anger brought more war.When did it all go wrong?
You used to seem so strong,
but maybe all along
you’ve been sad and small and
now you’re alone on the calm after the storm.The struggle for power that raged in your mind,
you thought could be won with the right strategy:
if all those around you were cut down to size
it would add to your stature comparatively.How could you be so wrong?
You used to seem so strong,
but maybe all along
you’ve been sad and small and
now you’re alone on the calm after the storm.When did this begin? Who was the first to attack?
Are the people who surround you really such a threat?
Or is there some one in your past who you’re still fighting back
for the wrongs that they did; for the vengeance you’ll never get?Because the only power one has over the wrongs of the past
is the choice to forgive or to feed on the hatred.
You can pass the hatred on like a bitter inheritance
or you can leave it powerless in this generation.Why can’t you leave it alone?
It never will make you stronger.
Why can’t you see what’s wrong
has taken you over?When did it all go wrong?
You used to seem so strong,
but maybe all along
you’ve been sad and small and
now you’re alone on the calm after the storm.
