I should not have hid where my heart can't follow,
'cause this grace gets so far and too hard to swallow.
I've been running from Saul, he's been giving chase;
when I look in his eyes, all I see is my face.

You're still on my back after all these years,
chasing me out of hell and my nice veneers.
I don't know how you stand when you've got no floor,
or how you can breathe with your hands on boards.

I just want to be not what I am today,
I just want to be better than my friends might say,
I just want a small part in your passions play.

Do you hear when I call in the midst of wrong?
Do you hear these here words while I sing this song?
Are you caught up in me like I heard you say,
or just some big cashier that I'll have to pay?

'Just want to be not what I am today,
I just want to be better than my friends might say,
I just want a small part in your passions play.



Lyrics submitted by alicson

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  • +2
    Song Meaning

    'I should not have hid where my heart can't follow/cause this grace gets so far and too hard to swallow/i've been running from Saul/he's been giving chase/when i look in his eyes/all i see is my face'

    samuel was a king chosen by god to lead the jews, and Saul was the prophet who make god's will happen. so he got samuel from his family and got him crowned, but taught him what god wanted from a king of the jews. samuel started off as an excellent king, but slowly started to deviate from the rules - it got worse and worse and samuel basically avoided Saul because he knew what he was doing was wrong.

    i don't know how you stand/when you've got no floor/or how you can breathe/with your hands on boards

    first two = god, second two = jesus' cruxifixion, previous 4 lines are explained by this mix of jesus/god reference.

    are you caught up in me/like i heard you say?/or just some big cashier/that i'll have to pay

    paying the cashier is a comment on the strange way that beliving in a god can make you feel like used.

    credit to my friend helms (he's hot) for the excellent old testament knowledge and interpretation

    Greenie18on January 15, 2009   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    actually, Samuel was the prophet and Saul the king chosen. The Jews wanted to be like all the other countries and have a ing, so Samuel appointed Saul as king. When William says in his song, "I've been running from Saul, he's been giving chase" he's referring to King David, who was later annointed as the next king because Saul wasn't being obedient to what God what he wanted to do. Once King David was anointed by Samuel, Saul began to go after him, wanting him dead for taking over his throne. Saul, in this song, might mean the bad things that happen that keep coming back to us and chasing us.. go check out I Samuel in the Bible, it's all there :)

    breathincoloron April 14, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I think he's refering to Saul of Tarsus, in the New Testament, who persecuted Christians. This is a powerful song. Perhaps he is saying that he considers himself a Christian but struggles at times with his faith. The line about the grace being too hard to swallow makes sense because many wonder how they could be forgiven for what they've done. Especially if he says he runs from Saul but sees a bit of Saul in him. This could be about feelings of hypocrisy calling himself a Christian but also judging and persecuting some for what they believe. This song is littered with biblical references and references to faith. It almost seems like a prayer because he appears to be singing to God. To me this is obviously a man struggling with his faith...i recognize the feelings.

    jasonmichael0509on May 22, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this song is beautiful, and doesn't at all need explaining. it's just so good; his voice, the guitar, the meaning in the words. everything about it is so perfect.

    srawrrron June 19, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think this is a reference to the Christian Passion of Christ and the ever popular Passion Plays that many churches put on around easter. William writes his lyrics based on both personal experiences and those of some of his therapy clients. I would imagine that religion would be a common struggle.

    The voice of the character (whether it be William or someone else) is talking about the normal feelings of wanting to be a better person and wanting to do the right things in life... he also wonders if he's heard (by God or whomever he is speaking to) when he speaks.

    That's what I get from this. I hope it helps... and that I'm not to far off.

    RayneQueenon August 20, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    He's trying to find his place and he's looking to christianity for answers in this particular song.

    modernaudreyon November 28, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    yeah i agree with Greenie18. you must be a genius. sometimes i wish my best friend was as clever as you obviously are.

    10203040on January 16, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It all comes together beautifully... I heard this song from Grey's Anatomy and everyday since then I listenned to it! So rich in meaning and the guitar work gives me goosebumps everytime.

    'Chasing me out of hell AND MY NICE VENEERS' -- In hell it is said to be that there will be gnashing of TEETH.

    Passionplayeron March 05, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    "it's about wanting to be better." youtube.com/watch

    obscuredmercuryon July 22, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I love this song so much...the lyrics, the guitar, the voice...

    I agree with everything said about the meaning. Also, the loud bangs at the end always make me think of the crucifixion, and nails being hammered into the cross.

    BeccaCanFlyyon December 21, 2009   Link

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