What I Would Have Said at Virgil’s Funeral Lyrics – Kanye West, James Blake

Meaning of ‘What I Would Have Said at Virgil’s Funeral’ Lyrics Explained

Intro: James Blake Meaning:
This part feels like someone gently checking in with another person during a painful moment. He senses anger and sadness but isn’t sure where it’s really coming from. He wonders if the hurt is aimed at him or at everything that went wrong. The talk about harmony shows a wish for peace and understanding, even though emotions are heavy. Saying they’ve mainly been surviving suggests life hasn’t been easy, and they’ve just been trying to make it through day by day.

Chorus: Kanye West & James Blake Meaning:
This part repeats the idea that no matter what happens, they keep going. It feels like a reminder that survival has been the main goal through pain, loss, and confusion, and that this struggle has been constant.

Verse 1: Kanye West Meaning:
Here, he questions the balance in the relationship. He wonders when the other person truly made time for him and put him first. It sounds like he’s looking back and asking if he was ever fully understood or supported. There’s regret and self-awareness, like he knows he was difficult at times and is unsure if love and patience were ever enough between them.

Chorus: Kanye West & James Blake Meaning:
Again, this part stresses how they were always just getting by emotionally. It feels like a loop of survival, showing how ongoing the struggle was and how it never really stopped.

Verse 2: Kanye West Meaning:
This section reflects on moments when he wasn’t at his best mentally. He asks if anyone stayed patient when he was acting foolish or overwhelmed. He remembers times when he felt alone and wonders who truly stood by him. There’s a sense of gratitude mixed with guilt, as he questions whether someone loved him even when he was clearly not okay.

Chorus: Kanye West Meaning:
This feels like a quiet, almost numb repetition, showing endurance without explanation.

Refrain: Kanye West & James Blake Meaning:
This part is about grief fully breaking through. The repeated image of tears shows emotions finally spilling out after being held in for so long. It connects crying with surviving, like the pain was always there under the surface. The unfinished line makes it feel raw and overwhelming, as if words can’t keep up with the emotion anymore.

Verse 3: Kanye West Meaning:
This long section feels like Kanye’s thoughts spilling out in a messy, unfiltered way, showing how his mind jumps during stress and loss. He talks about being mentally off track, confused, and misunderstood. The broken phrases reflect how scattered he felt, especially during hard times with fame, criticism, and personal struggles. He touches on being locked up emotionally or physically, feeling abandoned, and questioning who was really there for him. There’s also a sense of comeback energy, like falling down and getting back up despite people doubting him. Mentions of family, faith, and his mother’s era point to grounding forces that helped him survive. Even when people were angry or critical, he kept moving forward. Overall, it sounds like someone processing chaos, pressure, and grief all at once, without trying to clean it up. The confusion itself becomes part of the expression, showing how pain doesn’t come out neatly, especially when you’ve been carrying it for a long time.

Bridge: James Blake & Kanye West Meaning:
This section feels like a shared chant between them, reinforcing the idea that survival has been constant. Even with outside voices, pressure, and people trying to interfere, they keep pushing forward. It suggests learning how to deal with others, protecting yourself, and using intelligence instead of reacting emotionally. There’s also a sense of retreat and return, like stepping away to breathe and then coming back stronger. The repeated lines make it feel almost hypnotic, showing how survival becomes routine when life keeps throwing challenges. It’s not about thriving here, just staying afloat and not giving up.

Outro: Kanye West & James Blake Meaning:
The ending brings everything back to grief. Tears keep falling, again and again, showing that the sadness hasn’t lifted. Tying tears with the word always suggests this pain is ongoing and deeply rooted. It feels like standing still in a moment of loss, letting the emotion flow without trying to stop it, accept it, or explain it away.