What does these lines mean in the context they're written?

Question

Here is sort of a poem or lyric, and I am wondering about a few of the specific lines. While I think I get the overall meaning of it, my knowledge of english idioms and metaphors is limited. I mean when he says "these mountains that we move" he hardly literally means that they move mountains around, does he? Anyway, I've highlighted the sentences I am wondering about. While they might not be idioms, I would be very grateful if somebody could explain what they seem to mean within the context.

From a victim to a friend
Don't ever let them in
Keep your scars on your sleeve
And your heart in your hands
All the whores with their wars
Their gaping mouths want more
All of them choke on regret
We sit in silence

Dead or dedicated
Alive or medicated
A coward queen or harlot heart
It's up to you

This world owes you nothing
This world owes me nothing

This world owes us nothing
But a hard road to walk
These mountains that we climb
Is everything they've lost
This world owes us nothing
But a hard road to walk
These mountains that we move
Are everywhere we look

It's all up to me and you

Avangi · Accepted Answer

Of course all I can do is guess.

Life is tough, right? Hazzards are everywhere.

Maybe some of the lines are cynical pot shots at those who take an optimistic view.
(There's an old saying, "Faith can move mountains," derived from a Bible story.)

The "scars" couplet may or may not evoke Iago's "I am not what I am" speech, which led to another old saying, "He doesn't wear his heart on his coatsleeve." (If you let people know how you feel, they'll take advantage of you.)

The "dead" stanza points out contrasting ways to approach life (a brave nobody/a coward somebody). I don't see any allusions - possibly a deck of cards.

Converge · Answer

Thanks for your reply!

I've been thinking of the "keep your scars on your sleeve" part a bit. I know about the English expression "wear your heart on your sleeve" that you mentioned, that means to always show what you feel regardless of consequences. So wearing your scars on your sleeve, could it mean to show what has hurt you in life? But in that case, what does the "And your heart in your hands" reference to? What could the entire meaning of this couplet be?

AvangiThe "dead" stanza points out contrasting ways to approach life (a brave nobody/a coward somebody). I don't see any allusions - possibly a deck of cards.

I don't believe in the deck of cards thing though, it doesn't seem like the lyricists kind of style (I've read most of his lyrics). So that means the stanza is simply telling the reader that it's up to him how to live his life by showing some contrasting examples? Why would somebody want to be medicated instead of alive though ("Alive or medicated")?

Avangi · Answer

I think "medicated" refers to the large portion of our population who rely on pharmaceuticals to get through the day - legal and otherwise. The suggestion might be that only those who are "un-medicated" are truly alive.

(I don't know your lyricist.)

The "coatsleeve" thing is typically used in the opposite way from the one you suggest: It's in defense of those who play it close to the vest.
(He doesn't wear his heart on his coatsleeve.) Sometimes it's advisable not to let people know how you feel, in order to protect yourself.

JandrosUSA · Answer

I can only add that "Keep ... Your heart in your hands" means to protect your feelings, hold them close to yourself. If someone gives me her heart to hold in my hands, she trusts me to take care of it (her love) at all costs, to protect it. If I'm holding my own heart in my own hands, it means I'm not going to trust anyone else with any part of it.

Just my humble opinion

Avangi · Answer

JandrosUSA protect your feelings, hold them close to yourself

I agree, Jandros. That's exactly it.
My impression on first reading the line was that it partook of both images to make the same point.
(That is, don't wear it on your sleeve; do keep it in your hands.)
Both images figuratively remove the heart from where it can do it's realjob.

- A.

JandrosUSA · Answer

Thanks Avangi, and I agree 100% with your suggestion about medicated: Only the unmedicated (undrugged) can honestly feel alive.

Dead or dedicated: Dedicated - Having a cause to fight for, or a goal to achieve? Noble or not. Otherwise we might feel or be considered 'dead'.

JandrosUSA · Answer

Yes I just realized your point Avangi, your don't and do. Brilliant!! [

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JandrosUSA · Answer

converge, to answer one of your primary questions ...

The line These mountains that we move originates (I'm sure) from an ancient metaphor, a very common cliché in the English language: To "move mountains" is to accomplish incredible things, unbelievable things, even to perform miracles; again it's Biblical. The short answer is that it's metaphorical, not literal at all.

Converge · Answer

Thanks for your replies guys! It feels more clear now!

AvangiI think "medicated" refers to the large portion of our population who rely on pharmaceuticals to get through the day - legal and otherwise. The suggestion might be that only those who are "un-medicated" are truly alive.(I don't know your lyricist.)The "coatsleeve" thing is typically used in the opposite way from the one you suggest: It's in defense of those who play it close to the vest.(He doesn't wear his heart on his coatsleeve.) Sometimes it's advisable not to let people know how you feel, in order to protect yourself.

The lyricist is Jacob Bannon, singer in hardcore/extreme metal band converge (yeah I'm original on usernames

). You could look up some of Converge's lyrics, he is quite good.

JandrosUSAconverge, to answer one of your primary questions ...

The line These mountains that we move originates (I'm sure) from an ancient metaphor, a very common cliché in the English language: To "move mountains" is to accomplish incredible things, unbelievable things, even to perform miracles; again it's Biblical. The short answer is that it's metaphorical, not literal at all.

Ah, I see. What do you think the meaning of the moving mountains part would be if you look at the entire couplet "These mountains that we move / Are everywhere we look"?

What does these lines mean in the context they're written?

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