In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Night has draped it’s cape of stars
Over our small town
From the campus and the tavern
To the chapel and infirmary
We’ve seen their dreams
We found the guilt, the fables, and folly
Of the residents residing in
Fourteen hymns for the heathen
First hymn: the son of God complex
Second hymn: the prodigal damsel
Third hymn: the tree stump of knowledge
Choking on Adam’s apple
This our lord
Under the cross, this broken promised land
With dreamers and schemers and preachers and predators
They shall not want what they’ve got coming to them
Whether innocent or insolent
In fourteen hymns for the heathen
Fourth hymn: the passion of the chaplain
Fifth hymn: the brute kiss of Judas
Sixth hymn: Sodom falls to ashes
Seventh hymn: the church of doubting Thomas
Eighth hymn: the horse of the apocalypse
Ninth hymn: immaculate exception
Tenth hymn: the demons of Mary Magdalene
I am a chapel, this is the prayer book
These are the parables, uh huh
God forgive us, this is our business
Absolving sins of all these heathens
Eleventh hymn: the bible belt tightens
Twelfth hymn: a lecherous shepard
Thirteenth hymn: hiding in confession
Fourteenth hymn: an afterword
Rocking tears of disenchantment
Green grass of envy and malice
Oh, sour days
Living in Happy Hollow
Over our small town
From the campus and the tavern
To the chapel and infirmary
We’ve seen their dreams
We found the guilt, the fables, and folly
Of the residents residing in
Fourteen hymns for the heathen
First hymn: the son of God complex
Second hymn: the prodigal damsel
Third hymn: the tree stump of knowledge
Choking on Adam’s apple
This our lord
Under the cross, this broken promised land
With dreamers and schemers and preachers and predators
They shall not want what they’ve got coming to them
Whether innocent or insolent
In fourteen hymns for the heathen
Fourth hymn: the passion of the chaplain
Fifth hymn: the brute kiss of Judas
Sixth hymn: Sodom falls to ashes
Seventh hymn: the church of doubting Thomas
Eighth hymn: the horse of the apocalypse
Ninth hymn: immaculate exception
Tenth hymn: the demons of Mary Magdalene
I am a chapel, this is the prayer book
These are the parables, uh huh
God forgive us, this is our business
Absolving sins of all these heathens
Eleventh hymn: the bible belt tightens
Twelfth hymn: a lecherous shepard
Thirteenth hymn: hiding in confession
Fourteenth hymn: an afterword
Rocking tears of disenchantment
Green grass of envy and malice
Oh, sour days
Living in Happy Hollow
Lyrics submitted by sarahsaurusrex, edited by Brandall88
Hymns for the Heathen Lyrics as written by Matthew Ryan Maginn Clint Frederick Schnase
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
To me, this reminds me of Red Handed Sleight of Hand, how he says, "this is the blood on my hands after I wrote this album...I'm on the ugly organ", again setting up the mood, to some extent, of the album. The Fourteen Hymns I believe refer to the 14 tracks on the album, and what each represents, that all of these songs are his hymnals of his own ideology. Kasher is a genius.