What If Uncle Ben Had Lived? Lyrics - Poor Old Lu

This song has always had a very emotional vibe to it, mainly because of the title, but also because of the melancholy feel. Actually, the title comes from a long running band joke. In the 80's, Marvel released a series of Spiderman comics called the "What If..." series. One of those issues was called, of course, "What If Uncle Ben Had Lived?". Over the years, when someone would start a comment with "what if...", one of us would usually fill-in the blanks, so to speak. For some reason that title just seemed to fit with this song. The result has been interesting as some have wanted to know what happened with my Uncle Ben (falling down the stairs, etc.) but, of course, I have no such uncle. 

Lyrically this song is very similar to 'The Weeds That Grow Around My Feet' in that it deals with our sinful nature and the ruts of sin that can often entangle us. Early on it may just be weakness on our part, but over time it can become blatant disobedience to the Lord, and our hearts get cold. The end of the song wraps it up fairly nicely, "make yourself as small, just He and I and all" -- and that's how we need to be, small, on our face before God. 

falling down the stairs 

climb into the sea 

the world is on it's hands 

then it's on it's feet 

touch the silent man 

who cares where he goes 

stand high upon his back 

like the ground beneath your toes 

the breeze is too much for me - anymore 

(I've seen this in people who are weak) 

and if I push the blade in deep 

will in break inside of me 

in me, in me, in me... 

reaching for a star 

with my eyes dead on the floor 

racing all the time 

my soul can't take much more 

touch the silent man 

who made himself so low 

will I spit on him again 

and turn myself away 

what more will it take 

falling down the stairs 

climb into the sea 

the world is on it's hands 

then it's on it's feet 

touch the silent man 

who made himself so low 

make yourself as small 

just He and I and all