I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Battered and torn
Still I can see the light
Tattered and worn
But I must kneel to fight
Friend of mine
What can't you spare
I know some times
It gets cold in there
When my legs no longer carry
And the warm wind chills my bones
I reach for Mother Mary
And I shall not walk alone
Hope is alive
While we're apart
Only tears
Speak from my heart
Break the chains
That hold us down
And we shall be
Forever bound
When I'm tired and weary
And a long way from home
I reach for Mother Mary
And I shall not walk alone
Beauty that
We left behind
How shall we
Tomorrow find
Set aside
Our weight in sin
So that we
Can live again
When my legs no longer carry
And the warm wind chills my bones
I reach for Mother Mary
And I shall not walk alone
Still I can see the light
Tattered and worn
But I must kneel to fight
Friend of mine
What can't you spare
I know some times
It gets cold in there
When my legs no longer carry
And the warm wind chills my bones
I reach for Mother Mary
And I shall not walk alone
Hope is alive
While we're apart
Only tears
Speak from my heart
Break the chains
That hold us down
And we shall be
Forever bound
When I'm tired and weary
And a long way from home
I reach for Mother Mary
And I shall not walk alone
Beauty that
We left behind
How shall we
Tomorrow find
Set aside
Our weight in sin
So that we
Can live again
When my legs no longer carry
And the warm wind chills my bones
I reach for Mother Mary
And I shall not walk alone
Lyrics submitted by dragonflower44
I Shall Not Walk Alone [DVD] Lyrics as written by Ben C Harper
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is a beautiful song, I think you can really hear Harpers emotions while he sings. The slow and calm lyrics, really add to the song.
I think it is obviously that this song is about the persons relationship with God. He has been through a lot. He is tired, broken and worn, but he is knows that he does not walk in this world alone.
"Battered and torn still I can see the light tattered and worn but I must kneel to fight" -Even though this person is down and been through a lot, he still holds onto faith and God.
"Friend of mine what can't you spare I know some times it gets cold in there" -He is referring to God when he says friend. He is looking for anything God can spare to help his through tough times.
"When my legs no longer carry and the warm wind chills my bones I reach for Mother Mary and I shall not walk alone" -He could be referring to death and his last moments, or simply a tough time in his life. If he is talking about death, than he is saying that when the end finally comes, he will go to "Mother Mary"(ie-virgin Mary) and to heaven, thus no longer walking alone in the world like he's been doing
If he is simply talking about hard times, than he is putting his faith in God/virgin mother, to help his through those times and walk with him and give him strength.
"Hope is alive while we're apart only tears speak from my heart" -Even though he is going through troubles times, there is still hope for him. He still has faith, even though he is separated from God(ie-not in heaven).
"break the chains that hold us down and we shall be forever bound" -He is talking about death and the earthy chain that keep us here. When that chain is broken(through death), he will be able to join God for eternity and be bound to him forever.
"Beauty that we left behind how shall we tomorrow find" -It not too late to find the beauty in things. Even if you pass it one day, there is still hope that you will find it in the future.
"Set aside our weight in sin so that we can live again" -He is talking about seeking to put aside all the sins of his life, and being able to move on and live again. If he has hit troubled times because of these "sins", than letting them go will allow him to live his life again.
My son was always making cd's for me as he was a part-time musican & we both loved music. He was killed in an auto accident in 2009. I was playing some of his cd's this week & really listened to the words of this song. (I was not familiar with it). When I read your interpation it gave me some much needed understanding into his feelings. His faith was strong even tho he had gone through some really tough times when he needed someone much stronger than "Mom" to help him through. With the holidays coming up & I have such a huge hole in my heart, it brings me peace to know that he is in Heaven playing his music. I miss him so much but I know that "he shall not walk alone". Isn't it something how these things come about--that I listened to this particular song at this time? It just feels like he is sending me a message that he is with God & he is OK. Thank you--you just made my holidays a little brighter.