I didn't even hear this till later on, it was not on his albums- not to this song anyway. This tune wad originally put to "heaven or whatever" but it works SOOOO good for this one too
Shane is, in my opinion, one of the best poets of this generation. His poems feel like they were written for everyone that hears them, and they way he recites them is beautiful.
Passionate. Profound and powerful. This is a fantastic combination of brilliant writing and artful presentation. The violinist is beautiful and talented and the young man's performance is heart-filling. He conveys this delicate balance between nostalgia and a stark awareness of our fragile hold to this beautiful life. I was blown away. Just beautiful.
Remember how we forgot? Remember how no one ever really died in the wars we fought? Because each gunshot came from our finger tips And we never really kept them loaded just in case Cause each enemy was a friend and none of it was about oil, religion, or land It was all just pretend Remember how we used to bend reality Like we were circus strong men Like our imaginations were in shape then Like we were all ninjas trained in the deadly art of "did not" Like "I totally got you" "Did not" Remember how we forgot? Remember how our parents told us never to look directly into the sun And how we were their son And so we never looked directly into the mirror, in fear that we would go blind Remember how we used to find any old reason just to call someone we were crushing on Like we could just pawn off our sense of embarrassment Buy a chunk of courage that would last just long enough to have us askin 'em about math and stuff And how stuff was just stuff Like I heard you're getting braces, now braces somehow were and still are kinda hot Remember how we forgot? Remember how we all caught mono and our folks would go, "oh the kissing disease" And our first steps into gangstahood had us saying “mother please.” Even though we’d never really kissed anyone Even though we never did half the things we said we’d done We just spun yarn like Rumpelstiltskin spun gold We told ghost stories never realizing we would one day ourselves become ghosts Haunting the hallways of schools Breaking all the rules of silence in the library But we had no chains to rattle No voice to battle the fact that we had no vocal chords We had only finger nails on chalk boards We would scream, shout, and yell trying to tell ourselves what experience can teach is What no teacher taught Remember how we forgot? Once upon a time, we were young Our dreams hung like apples Waiting to be picked and peeled And hope was something needing to be reeled-in So we can fill the always empty big fish bin with the one that got away And proudly say that "this time, impossible is not an option" Because success is so akin to effort and opportunity they could be related So we took chances We figure skated on thin ice Believed that each slice of life was served with something sweet on the side And failure was never nearly as important as the fact that we tried That in the war against frailty and limitation We supplied the determination it takes to make ideas and goals the parents of Possibility And we believe ourselves to be members of this family Not just one branch on one tree But a forest whose roots make up a dynasty So when I call you sis or bro It’s not lightly And when I ask you to remember It’s because the future isn't what it used to be So remember now Pay tribute to every sacrifice laid upon the altar of somehow For all the times Somehow we overcame Somehow we pushed on Somehow we’ve gone the distance And in going there we possessed the freedom to map the uncharted lands of any and Everywhere We are unbound Six feet above the underground where we will all one day rest So until then Test the limits Test the boundaries and borders As if the headquarters of potential lay just beyond the world's edge Let the belief that hope belongs to us all Be the pledge you take to make the unachievable as inconceivable as the false fact hat We were never here We were here And our memories are as dear to us as every slow motion moment or held breath So remember every instance before death Every first kiss, first dance, near miss, last chance, yes, no, maybe so Let us go the distance once more Let us remember all the moments that were and were not Like the point is something we can get and what we can get is what we got Because all we have are the times between the moments we connect each dot So live and remember Burn like an ember capable of starting fires Like each moment inspires the next Like memories are the context we put ourselves in So that life becomes the next of kin we need to notify in case of a big bang or Extinction level event Let now be our advent Let us live like we meant it Let us burn like we mean it Because this world doesn't give a shit if we end in a train wreck or a car crash If our story ends with a dot or dash If we were dust or ash Because all we were is all we’ll be And all we are is the in-between of so far, so good So forget every would, could, or should not Forget remembering how we forgot Live like a plot twist exists now and in memory Because we burn bright Our light leaves scars on the sun Let no one say we will be undone by time's passing The memories we are amassing will stand as testament That somehow we bent minds around the concept That we see others within ourselves That self-knowledge can't be found on bookshelves So who we are has no bearing on how we appear Look directly into every mirror Realize our reflection is the first sentence to a story And our story starts: "We were here."
"because when i call you "sis" or bro"... it's not lightly. and when i ask you to remember, it's because the future isn't what it used to be." why can't i watch this without weeping?
I have long thought that there is only one human being and it has 7,000,000,000 faces. The things we hate in others are the things we have not loved or healed in our selves. I want to thank you Shane because when I see you, and listen to you, I actually do see a better future is possible. Leave a scar upon the sun.
I've probably watched this 100 times. It's a great performance. That groan still takes me out of the flow of the poem and makes me die in laughter. Every. Single. Time.
Brings you back to when you were a kid. The infinite possibilities and misguided innocence that made life feel alive. Defined by the spirit inside with a hunger for everything new and scary. As our life's seasons go by we tend to forget how things were when we were children. This poem is absolutely epic.
Oh my god, this guy is amazing. He speaks so articulately and so passionately. It's like he knows just how beautiful and painful his emotions are and channels these complex feelings learned through life experience straight into other people with the most incredibly simple phrasing. This is perfect language.
Those great poets you love would rebuke you. They showed love to all forms of poetry no matter what. If it came from the heart that was all that mattered.
I think it adds to it. The whole point is that life is full of those little imperfections and set backs, but you looks past them because you only get one chance so you better enjoy life and all the interesting people around you and not let the bad moments stop you from doing that.
This is amazing. Starts off funny and then builds into a motivational speech that we can all be more and do more than we ever expected. The backing music fits perfectly.
Where and what ever you have travelled through or hung on your proverbial lobby wall in the last year+. I hope that something presents itself today to make it minutely more profound or memorable than the rest..
This video... This video has gotten me through some tough times. I suffer from CPTSD, severe depression, generalized anxiety, and suicidal ideation /compulsions. Two years ago I was the lowest I've ever been so I leaned on this video. I was reaching for a bottle of pills every day. It took everything I had to walk myself into a hospital and say "I'm not okay." This video reminds me of the time I've lost and the time I have left. I couldn't get out of bed two years ago, but now, I'm on my own two feet again. It's taken a tremendous amount of work to get here but I am here. And this video saved my life.
At 5:30 that is the sound of someone realizes the beauty of this poem and realizing the message this poem is conveying. They realize that this isn’t just something to pawn off...its a life changing poem
so I just came back here after 9 years and I have goosebumps within 3 minutes - and I would still be proud if my daughter brought home a man like this...
I agree. But if I told you that if your face was recorded during this video, you'd have the same reactions on your face - pure captivation. If I told you that as passionate as Shane is in his performance, if you took Hannah away, this deliverance wouldn't even be half as potent or meaningful. That's the power of music. Bravo!
8 years later and I still get goosebumps
Same, 9 years later now and it still gets me emotional every time
Same 10yrs later 😂
Same, in 2023
It's an amazing poem
I didn't even hear this till later on, it was not on his albums- not to this song anyway. This tune wad originally put to "heaven or whatever" but it works SOOOO good for this one too
Shane is, in my opinion, one of the best poets of this generation. His poems feel like they were written for everyone that hears them, and they way he recites them is beautiful.
these six minutes.
these six minutes are an achievement of a lifetime.
11 years later and I think I get bigger goosebumps than I ever have 🙏🏼
When someone looks at you like Hannah looks at him, you know you are loved.
Never going to forget this piece. Even 7 years later.
Magic. We all forgot and its why society is so divided. We have lost the magic of childhood.
the way she looks at him thou makes it all so much better. She's looking at him like he's the most amazing thing in the world.
The way Hannah looks at him is genuinely beautiful.
'ha, gay.
Are they married?
I come back to this far less than i should
The groaning at 5:28 is definitely some guy jizzing in his pants at how amazing this is.
LOL, it really is.
HAHAHA
So true.
HAHAHA
😂😂😂😂
Went STRAIGHT to the comments lol😭
I watch this often . . . thank you! It always makes me cry.
+Snow Kestrel Amen . . . lucky are we, the ones with this condition of the heart. : D
Me too!
I do too lol
Passionate. Profound and powerful. This is a fantastic combination of brilliant writing and artful presentation. The violinist is beautiful and talented and the young man's performance is heart-filling. He conveys this delicate balance between nostalgia and a stark awareness of our fragile hold to this beautiful life. I was blown away. Just beautiful.
Well said
Well said again.
I don't know how I ended up here, but I know I don't want to leave. Thx.
I would love to hang out with Shane.
I beg to differ, and that's the joy of art. Everyone sees or hears something completely different.
Remember how we forgot?
Remember how no one ever really died in the wars we fought?
Because each gunshot came from our finger tips
And we never really kept them loaded just in case
Cause each enemy was a friend and none of it was about oil, religion, or land
It was all just pretend
Remember how we used to bend reality
Like we were circus strong men
Like our imaginations were in shape then
Like we were all ninjas trained in the deadly art of "did not"
Like "I totally got you"
"Did not"
Remember how we forgot?
Remember how our parents told us never to look directly into the sun
And how we were their son
And so we never looked directly into the mirror, in fear that we would go blind
Remember how we used to find any old reason just to call someone we were crushing on
Like we could just pawn off our sense of embarrassment
Buy a chunk of courage that would last just long enough to have us askin 'em about math and stuff
And how stuff was just stuff
Like I heard you're getting braces, now braces somehow were and still are kinda hot
Remember how we forgot?
Remember how we all caught mono and our folks would go, "oh the kissing disease"
And our first steps into gangstahood had us saying “mother please.”
Even though we’d never really kissed anyone
Even though we never did half the things we said we’d done
We just spun yarn like Rumpelstiltskin spun gold
We told ghost stories never realizing we would one day ourselves become ghosts
Haunting the hallways of schools
Breaking all the rules of silence in the library
But we had no chains to rattle
No voice to battle the fact that we had no vocal chords
We had only finger nails on chalk boards
We would scream, shout, and yell trying to tell ourselves what experience can teach is What no teacher taught
Remember how we forgot?
Once upon a time, we were young
Our dreams hung like apples
Waiting to be picked and peeled
And hope was something needing to be reeled-in
So we can fill the always empty big fish bin with the one that got away
And proudly say that "this time, impossible is not an option"
Because success is so akin to effort and opportunity they could be related
So we took chances
We figure skated on thin ice
Believed that each slice of life was served with something sweet on the side
And failure was never nearly as important as the fact that we tried
That in the war against frailty and limitation
We supplied the determination it takes to make ideas and goals the parents of Possibility
And we believe ourselves to be members of this family
Not just one branch on one tree
But a forest whose roots make up a dynasty
So when I call you sis or bro
It’s not lightly
And when I ask you to remember
It’s because the future isn't what it used to be
So remember now
Pay tribute to every sacrifice laid upon the altar of somehow
For all the times
Somehow we overcame
Somehow we pushed on
Somehow we’ve gone the distance
And in going there we possessed the freedom to map the uncharted lands of any and Everywhere
We are unbound
Six feet above the underground where we will all one day rest
So until then
Test the limits
Test the boundaries and borders
As if the headquarters of potential lay just beyond the world's edge
Let the belief that hope belongs to us all
Be the pledge you take to make the unachievable as inconceivable as the false fact hat We were never here
We were here
And our memories are as dear to us as every slow motion moment or held breath
So remember every instance before death
Every first kiss, first dance, near miss, last chance, yes, no, maybe so
Let us go the distance once more
Let us remember all the moments that were and were not
Like the point is something we can get and what we can get is what we got
Because all we have are the times between the moments we connect each dot
So live and remember
Burn like an ember capable of starting fires
Like each moment inspires the next
Like memories are the context we put ourselves in
So that life becomes the next of kin we need to notify in case of a big bang or Extinction level event
Let now be our advent
Let us live like we meant it
Let us burn like we mean it
Because this world doesn't give a shit if we end in a train wreck or a car crash
If our story ends with a dot or dash
If we were dust or ash
Because all we were is all we’ll be
And all we are is the in-between of so far, so good
So forget every would, could, or should not
Forget remembering how we forgot
Live like a plot twist exists now and in memory
Because we burn bright
Our light leaves scars on the sun
Let no one say we will be undone by time's passing
The memories we are amassing will stand as testament
That somehow we bent minds around the concept
That we see others within ourselves
That self-knowledge can't be found on bookshelves
So who we are has no bearing on how we appear
Look directly into every mirror
Realize our reflection is the first sentence to a story
And our story starts:
"We were here."
Hauntingly and powerfully poignant. Incredibly beautiful.
Only Shane Koyczan could make me both laugh and cry hysterically in one performance.
Mine too, Patty, and I've been on this planet nearly 6 decades. I will never get so jaded I can't be moved and inspired by things.
"because when i call you "sis" or bro"... it's not lightly. and when i ask you to remember, it's because the future isn't what it used to be."
why can't i watch this without weeping?
I have long thought that there is only one human being and it has 7,000,000,000 faces. The things we hate in others are the things we have not loved or healed in our selves. I want to thank you Shane because when I see you, and listen to you, I actually do see a better future is possible. Leave a scar upon the sun.
Oh god, the groan at 5:28! I'm cackling with laughter and my roommates think I'm going crazy!
That was the sound of someones mind being blown
Mind orgasm!
Maybe, but in ten years I will still remember this guy fondly. You, I'll probably have forgotten about later this afternoon.
5:30 "EHHUUUUUUUUUUGHH!!!"
Min 5:30? Hahaha
+Trisha Webb just scared the shit out of me listening to this on surround sound in my room
+Trisha Webb
The sweet sound of a poem-gasm
(also it's actually at 5:28 )
I've probably watched this 100 times. It's a great performance. That groan still takes me out of the flow of the poem and makes me die in laughter. Every. Single. Time.
+Justin Swenson
Right XD
I love how she never loses sight of him.
Brings you back to when you were a kid. The infinite possibilities and misguided innocence that made life feel alive. Defined by the spirit inside with a hunger for everything new and scary. As our life's seasons go by we tend to forget how things were when we were children. This poem is absolutely epic.
Back for my yearly dose of medicine
love this mans poems
I can't believe this was 10 years ago. I think more than that, actually? I saw an old friend today and it made me think of this. Thank you.
Amazing
Whoever disliked this is trained of the not-so-deadly art of DID NOT UNDERSTAND.
Oh my god, this guy is amazing. He speaks so articulately and so passionately. It's like he knows just how beautiful and painful his emotions are and channels these complex feelings learned through life experience straight into other people with the most incredibly simple phrasing. This is perfect language.
Those great poets you love would rebuke you. They showed love to all forms of poetry no matter what. If it came from the heart that was all that mattered.
His words are soo powerfull and evokes soo much emotion but the girl with voilin i am swerving in the expressions her face creates , so much soul❤
I watch this... more often than sometimes.
Omg, I stumbled upon this video and ...... Wow , just .... Wow , this is beautiful.
When I stop sharing this, you are all invited to attend my funeral and remember...
How do I like this more than once?
You share it.
This World is Empty! We need more words like yours Shane.
This guy is my favorite poet by far
With the face of a child, but the wisdom and mind of an old man.
Seeing him smile made me smile. And his voice is so amazing and inspiring.
I think it adds to it. The whole point is that life is full of those little imperfections and set backs, but you looks past them because you only get one chance so you better enjoy life and all the interesting people around you and not let the bad moments stop you from doing that.
Word ninja and dream provocateur. A synapse scintillating painter of words, I just love this guy!
The way that girl is watching him, with a sense of captivation and even admiration in her eyes. I'm in love.
That violinist really shows what i was feeling. At first it was funny, then it was real and raw
This is amazing. Starts off funny and then builds into a motivational speech that we can all be more and do more than we ever expected. The backing music fits perfectly.
Life isn't about how many days you were alive, it's about how alive you were through your days.
This live version is a million times better than the album version
TOTALLY agreed
agreed
Poetry is language where the music of the words and the meaning of the words mesh perfectly. This is poetry.
Just pure masterpiece of a performance. I have kept coming back to this video for years, and somehow it gets even better every time i watch it.
Can't believe this was published on Jan 22, 2013. Thank you reddit for upvoting this to the front page!
For you reading this right now, Have a nice day
GeneralZod Superman was wrong, maybe youre not such a bad guy :)
Where and what ever you have travelled through or hung on your proverbial lobby wall in the last year+. I hope that something presents itself today to make it minutely more profound or memorable than the rest..
😁
Thanks! Have a nice one too!
i love the way she is looking at him...like being drawn by what he says, by his voice...Pure genius
He is a God.
Discovered this just the other day. I fucking love it.
5:29 is a proof of how strong Shane's poems are to people xP
AWESOMEO That was a guy cumming.
A combination of that and the pain from the fart he's holding in :^)
No matter how beautiful his words are I can't take my eyes off Hannah. My God too much beauty in one video
man, I was feeling all those goosebumps during the final part of it until 5:30 when someone jizzed their pants *sigh*
I,ve watched this countless times it only gets better.
The random noise you hear at 5:29 is the sound of someone's mind getting blown.
This so damn beautiful and painful.
This is amazing and some how does not seem to get any less effective no matter how many times I watch it. Going on a few years now.
Please release the violin on its own. Probably one of the mot beautiful melodics i have ever heard.
i think anything written by this guy is great!
5:29
That's me right there
D Xie was that really?
Modern poet really does exist.
5:29 someones mind was blown!
a new modern day poet . . . . truly amazing and so real
really good
this guy's got the words.
How on earth would this not be considered poetry?
"We leave scars on the sun," That was the point I literally lost it and burst into tears. Damn....
"The future is not what it used to be". That line makes me shudder everytime.
I'm still sobbing and the video already ended 😭💔
This video... This video has gotten me through some tough times. I suffer from CPTSD, severe depression, generalized anxiety, and suicidal ideation /compulsions. Two years ago I was the lowest I've ever been so I leaned on this video. I was reaching for a bottle of pills every day. It took everything I had to walk myself into a hospital and say "I'm not okay." This video reminds me of the time I've lost and the time I have left. I couldn't get out of bed two years ago, but now, I'm on my own two feet again. It's taken a tremendous amount of work to get here but I am here. And this video saved my life.
I hope you’re doing better. Stay strong❤️
5:28 DAT GROAN. some one was enjoying it lol
This just gave me faith in people again. Thank you.
he talks as well with his hands as he does with his words
At 5:30 that is the sound of someone realizes the beauty of this poem and realizing the message this poem is conveying. They realize that this isn’t just something to pawn off...its a life changing poem
did anyone else here the weird grunt in the background around 5:30 ?
That is the sound of someone who can no longer hold in his emotion but is trying.
Edit: well either that or he just got canned... not really sure XD
I'm pretty sure that's the sound of someone having their fucking mind blown
No that was me I shit my pants. I found out The Browns drafted Manziel.
ROFL @ when i heard it
It made me uncomfortable
If my daughter brought home a man like this I would be very very proud.
so I just came back here after 9 years and I have goosebumps within 3 minutes - and I would still be proud if my daughter brought home a man like this...
i memorized this for school a poetry slam, my class won! (took hours)
It took you hours to remember this? Girl. Do better. Shouldn't take more than an hour.
lol what I was in 6th grade at the time and it was four pages long ? I think I did okay but go off ❤️
So you believe this isn't pure, raw art? What sad times we live in.
"Remember nobody ever died in the wars we fought? Because each gunshot came from our finger tips and we never kept them loaded just in case"
yeah, I saw the video too.
He is an inspiration, he's such an inspiration.
One day I hope somebody will watch me the way hannah watches shane... absolutely wonder
Thank you for every time I had to listen to this to deal with some life issue. Thank you.
Does anyone know where i can find the violin track shes playing?
Pretty sure she just made it up.
I agree. But if I told you that if your face was recorded during this video, you'd have the same reactions on your face - pure captivation. If I told you that as passionate as Shane is in his performance, if you took Hannah away, this deliverance wouldn't even be half as potent or meaningful. That's the power of music. Bravo!
Who put the onions here?! ;-;
UUURURUGGGGHHH!!!
to anyone reading this...you are worth it
@5:28 UHHHH!!!
Must have watched this 50 times it just gets better
5:29 What the hell was that!?
That would be the sound of a man fist pumping the air with a passion from relation :)
joshebert1 A women, actually X)
Amber Hall some guy bustin a nut cuz this shit is so awesome
It doesn't NEED a coherent "message", you are allowed to IDENTIFY with the EMOTIONS evoked, you are allowed to INTERPRET what you hear. Just listen.
Each gun shot came from our fingertips
Thats just to heavy for 4 am.
brought tears to my eyes though.
Thanks for sharing.
Mommy, Mommy PLEASE! Take me back to days like these...
wtf was that at 5:29 ?
Omfg... As emotional as this poem makes me, I laughed so hard at that.
I am shocked! that sounded like someone passed gas at 5:29!!!! Kind of blew the mood.
Kimberly Baker
Passing gas? More like passing a 2 lb kidneystone...
LOL
Sounded like someone just projectile vomited spontaneously. As if all the emotion just got too overwhelming for them.
the girl looks at him with such understanding and love
How she looks at him, that's how I want a woman to look at me.
That desire is attractive to the right partner. XO. Hope it happens for you. 😉
The best thing I have heard in quite a while.