The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I spent a day by the river
It was quiet and the wind stood still
I spent some time with nature
To remind me of all that's real
It's funny how silence speaks sometimes when you're alone
And remember that you feel
I said it's funny how silence speaks sometimes when you're alone
And remember that you feel
Again I stand, lord I stand
Against the faceless man
Again I stand, lord I stand
Against the faceless man
Now I saw a face on the water
It looked humble but willing to fight
I saw the will of a warrior
His yoke is easy and his burden is light
He looked me right in the eyes
Direct and concise to remind me
To always do what's right
He looked me right in the eyes
Direct and concise to remind me
To always do what's right
Again I stand, lord I stand
Against the faceless man
Again I stand, lord, god I stand
Against the faceless man
'Cause if the face inside can't see the light
I know I'll have to walk alone
And if I walk alone to the other side
I know I might not make it home
Again I stand, lord I stand
Against the faceless man
Again I stand, lord I stand
Against the faceless man
Next time I see this face
I'll say I choose to live for always
So won't you come inside and never go away
Next time I see this face
I'll say I choose to live for always
So won't you come inside and never go away
Again I stand, lord I stand
Against the faceless man
Again I stand, lord I stand
Against the faceless man
Again I stand, lord I stand
Against the faceless man
It was quiet and the wind stood still
I spent some time with nature
To remind me of all that's real
It's funny how silence speaks sometimes when you're alone
And remember that you feel
I said it's funny how silence speaks sometimes when you're alone
And remember that you feel
Again I stand, lord I stand
Against the faceless man
Again I stand, lord I stand
Against the faceless man
Now I saw a face on the water
It looked humble but willing to fight
I saw the will of a warrior
His yoke is easy and his burden is light
He looked me right in the eyes
Direct and concise to remind me
To always do what's right
He looked me right in the eyes
Direct and concise to remind me
To always do what's right
Again I stand, lord I stand
Against the faceless man
Again I stand, lord, god I stand
Against the faceless man
'Cause if the face inside can't see the light
I know I'll have to walk alone
And if I walk alone to the other side
I know I might not make it home
Again I stand, lord I stand
Against the faceless man
Again I stand, lord I stand
Against the faceless man
Next time I see this face
I'll say I choose to live for always
So won't you come inside and never go away
Next time I see this face
I'll say I choose to live for always
So won't you come inside and never go away
Again I stand, lord I stand
Against the faceless man
Again I stand, lord I stand
Against the faceless man
Again I stand, lord I stand
Against the faceless man
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When he says "Now I saw a face on the water. It looked humble but willing to fight. I saw the will of a warrior. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. He looked me right in the eyes, Direct and concise to remind me To always do what's right", he is clearly talking about Jesus Christ. In fact "his yoke is easy, and his burden is light" is a direct quote from the bible talking about Christ. The faceless man is Christ. Scott Stapp is saying he knows there is someone there, but he doesn't know him well enough to see his face. But he goes on to say "Next time I see this face, I'll say I choose to live for always. So won't you come inside And never go away". This means maybe if God really reveals himself to Scott again (like he's saying 'God, just give me ONE more sign, THEN I'll believe'), then he'll invite Christ into his heart and ask Him to never go away. But also, when it says "...if the face inside can't see the light I know I'll have to walk alone And if I walk alone to the other side I know I might not make it home". He is saying that if the light of Christ can't be seen in him by God, he'll have to walk alone. And if he dies without the light inside (christ), he might not make it home (to heaven). The fact is though, there's no 'might' or maybe about it. Either there was and is a Jesus Christ, son of God, who was and is the only way to heaven, or there isn't. Decide soon Scott...
I agree with all of your points except for one--The Faceless Man is not Christ. The Faceless Man is death. If you Google "faceless man archetype," this is the definition. He is standing with Christ against the Faceless Man.
@chosen1forlife<br /> I seriously think that youve hit the nail on the head and agree 100% to what you are saying. I dont agree that the faceless man is death however.<br /> "It was humble, and willing to fight" Refers to Jesus going through the hardship before he got crucified. People all accused him of things when he was just helping the people. He was humble about his deeds, but willing to fight against the people that didn't believe who he was and was fighting for the good side.<br /> "He looked me right in the eyes direct and concise to remind me, to always do what's right" means exactly that, whenever we sin and go to repent then we are reminded of what we have done wrong, and ask for forgiveness... Dont think that death would look you right in the eyes and do whats right?<br /> Get back to me on this one, appreciated
@chosen1forlife<br /> <br /> I agree with your theology but must disagree with your interpretation. The face in the water and the faceless man are two separate enties (by definition in fact... how can a face be faceless) Yes, the face in the water certainly refers to Jesus but the faceless man most reasonably refers to death. Very powerful song indeed. I suppose you could argue that the faceless man represents the Flesh or Satan but that is a bit counter-intuitive. Either way, this is a song of triumph rather than one of defeat as you suggest. I don't think you need be worried about Scott sitting on the fence waiting for Christ to interact with him one more time. He has made the decision to stand with the "face in the water" against "the faceless man". <br /> <br /> @counting91bluecars<br /> <br /> Right on. This interpretation makes the most reasonable sense. For centuries at least, the faceless man has been a personification of death... see Grim Reaper / Third Spirit in A Christmas Carol / Ringwraiths etc.<br /> <br /> @songmeaner09<br /> <br /> "Humble and willing to fight" refers to the face in the water (Jesus) absolutely but this is not the faceless man. Why would anyone (Christian or not) say "Lord I stand against Jesus"? chosen1forlife means well but don't encourage him haha<br /> <br /> <br /> This interpretation is obvious to me but seems to be in the minority on these threads. I would be concerned if not for the fact that there are also way too many posters who want to remove Jesus from the interpretation altogether... which is an embrace of pure ignorance.<br /> <br /> <br /> Scott: "Next time I see this face--"<br /> Chosen1forlife: "--Oh you mean the faceless face that you saw but can't see?"<br /> Scott: "Um... no?... Wait what?"
there's possibility that the lyric isnt directly talking about one person (faceless man), and the 'you's in this song is not the same man (faceless man). the "you"s might work with capital Y, which is God. <br /> <br /> My point is, more likely, scott talking about this faceless man (whom he's against of) AND another persona (indirectly written: God-- who granted him life and so on).<br /> <br /> sorry for my bad grammar, i hope you guys get the point.