Even though the track art depicts John from the Meat timeline from The Homestuck Epilogues, the lyrics could suggest that the song may also be from the Author’s point of view.
About the meaning of the song, composer rj lake says:
oh and lastly i guess speculate all you want about the meaning of the...
[Verse 1]
It's been a little bit since the last time we all talked
So... how are all of you doing?
I know that I have been a bit unkind to you all
And I'm trying to undo it
[Verse 2]
We thought this ended years ago but it survived
I've forgotten far too often why I even recognize these faces
That don't have names placed with them
Inside my hazy brain, but then
There's too much to begin to touch on here
[Chorus]
I'm pulled back once again
And I told myself, told myself,told myself
I would not be on this adventure
But I'm haunted by all of these memories
That I have of four kids and a game they played together
[Verse 3]
I burned the bridges thoroughly but still everyone's trusting me again
And I should be relieved but it happened so suddenly
And I know in my heart I haven't earned this
But everyone acts like my concern isn't a problem
Like nothing is wrong with my very involvement
But I know how the song ends
[Verse 4]
I can't begin to list the times that I've walked
Along this road and concluded
That nothing that I've done here will make sense, in the end
But I find that kind of soothing
[Chorus]
I'm pulled back once again
And I told myself, told myself, told myself
I wouldn't be on this adventure
But I'm haunted by all of these memories
That I have of four kids and a game they played together
[Outro]
It's been a little bit since the last time
rj lake released Four Kids (and a Game They Played Together) on Mon Apr 13 2020.