| Okkervil River – The Velocity of Saul at the Time of His Conversion Lyrics | 20 years ago |
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To me, this song has very strong Biblical connotations. Saul was the name of the Christian Apostle Paul before his conversion to Christianity. Saul was an intense persecutor of the early Christians that follewed "The Way", or the teachings of Jesus. However, according to the Biblical account at Acts chapter 9, Saul was walking on a road toward Damascus when the following events occured: "...suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" 5"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. 6"Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." " [New International Version] The account goes on to describe the conversion of Saul to a Christian and one who no longer persecuted Christians but paved the way for their teachings to become more widespread. Incidentally his name was also changed to Paul soon thereafter. Now, on to Okkervil River... The name of this song itself obviously ties it to this specific account in the Scriptures. It's meaning, in my opinion, mirrors the Biblical tale. The writer feels as if he is traveling along incredibly fast, things happening that he can't control anymore. This song is the account of his "wake up call", so to speak - the time when he comes to realize the steps that he needs to take. I particularly like the title, which in my opinion sums it up better than any explanation could: Saul's "velocity" before this heavenly vision was indeed intense. He was persecuting and performing acts of oppression at an incredible level. He was well renowned by the scholarly and educated of the time, and himself was an extremely educated individual. He was "at the top of his game", so to speak, extremely successful in his endeavors. However, they were unfilfilling because of their nature - they were morally corrupt and spiritually wrong. So Saul is going along full-throttle when BAM, he is hit by this vision and the Lord speaks to him, causing him to turn his life around. The title of this song highlights that exact moment - the velocity of Saul at the time of his conversion. For some more detail, consider these lines: "In my new dream the light's shining on me": A "light", just as in Saul's vision, represents a change in the direction of his life. This vision or omen is representative of the bad condition of his situation and the time to take responsibility. "While the angels stand by I get high as a kite": I think this shows that he is regretful or bitter over his addictions and sins. Just as the angels and Jesus witnessed Saul's acts of violence and oppression, he feels that his own sins have not gone unnoticed. "And I, feeling older, pull off to the shoulder and wonder, with my head in my hands, 'Should I call my wife?'": This is possibly my favorite OkRiv line. To me it means that he is exhausted and sick and tired of the life that he's leading and the choices he's made, and he's ready to repent and straighten things out. Regret fills his heart, he just wants things to be normal and good again... Also, the reference to pulling off the shoulder slightly corresponds to the account of Saul in the Bible, since he was walking an a road and fell off to the side when the vision of Light appeared that caused his change in direction. "And when the spacecraft came down, I was left on the ground": This seems to me to also correspond to the vision of Light coming down from the heavens and leaving Saul on the ground in awe. "Will you keep me around, will you help me survive after my time?": No doubt Saul had wondered the same thing when he had realized how bad he had become and the terrible wrongs he had commited. He wanted forgiveness and felt the deepest sorrow for his actions; so much so that he spent the rest of his life in suffering for what he now believed was right, and helping others. To me some of these points are obvious, others are a stretch, but I definately think that's what this song is about. Life, choices, consequences, and Rebirth. |
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