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