In The House You Live In the I'm not really sure what the lyrics "Be calm in the face of all common discraces and know what their doin it for" mean, but I think it means that if someone is badmouthing you, picking on you or making fun of you you should know why they're doing it and be calm while their doing it. I understand being calm but to "know what their doin it for" does it mean that you should know that its because your fat or the design on your shirt or you look funny. I think thats what it means but correct me if I'm wrong.
I often use this lyric as my "signature line" here at Corfid because I believe it offers truly sound advice. We all encounter people who criticize and even provoke others for their own amusement. I suspect this type of person is trying to feel better about himself by "dissing" others. We can't control the actions of others but we do have some control over how we react to these provocations (common disgraces). I think what Gordon is saying is don't let other people push your emotional buttons! Use your intelligence to try to determine their motives but don't sink to their level. Always remember: "Never argue with an idiot -they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience!"
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"be calm in the face of all common disgraces...and know what they're doin' it for..."
Sounds right closetcanadian. Often, I also think that he was implying that "their" (the person or persons who might slander you) are trying to accomplish something by this action, i.e. they will have you feeling like dirt or whatever, so, knowing what they wish to accomplish and denying them their moment of disgusting glory is rather appropriate, I may be wrong on this one, if so I stand corrected in advance.