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Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros – I Don't Wanna Pray Lyrics 13 years ago
Anyone else hear "Allahu Akbar" instead of "I love my god"? I wonder if it's intentional.

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Beirut – After the Curtain Lyrics 14 years ago
Probably has to do with the fall of the Iron Curtain. As someone already mentioned, Beirut incorporates elements of Eastern European traditional music and the band members might have some personal connections to former Eastern Bloc.

To me, it sounds like they're mocking the Western-style democracy (left, right, left right, switch parties every four years or so and enjoy an sense of illusory freedom and choice) that Eastern Europe was (and still is, in some parts) aspiring to.

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Sufjan Stevens – To Be Alone with You Lyrics 15 years ago
You got it backwards my Christian friend.
Christians deny the idea of Jesus having a family. It conflicts with the whole messiah thing (IIRC), you see. At the same time, the Bible tells us that Jesus had four brothers: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas (Matthew 13:55).

If you are going to be religious, at least try knowing a little more about your dogma.

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Bowerbirds – House of Diamonds Lyrics 15 years ago
I think this song tells the story of two siblings. One who is sort of an workaholic and one who lives her life happily with a person she loves. The meaning is, basically, enjoy your life. It seems to have a hint of anti-capitalistic mentality, which is a bit aversive to me, but the music is just enchanting.

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The Shins – Saint Simon Lyrics 16 years ago
This song is clearly about religion. Not Christianity only. Religion in general. I am 99.8% certain.

"After all
These implements
And texts designed by intellects
We're vexed to find
Evidently there's still so much that hides"

Meaning: The more we learn (from science, presumably), the more we know how little we really know.

"And though
The saints dub us divine
In ancient fading lines
Their sentiment is just as hard to
Pluck from the vine"

Meaning: The idea (sentiment) of us being divine beings is cute, but not based on reality. Also, religion is fading out as the ancient lines from our societies.

"I'll try hard not to pretend
Allow myself to mock defense
As I step into the night"

This part is about death.
Meaning: Though it is tempting to give into false reasoning of religion sometimes (for comfort, etc), I will not succumb. The "mock trial" here is the judgement ever so present in the three major monotheisms.

"Since I don't have time nor mind
To figure out the nursery rhymes
That helped us out in making sense of our lives"

Meaning: I don't have time to figure out all of religious dogmas (not very clear on this one, tbh). Nursery rhymes == religion arose in the period of human infancy (and idea propagated by Christopher Hithchens, among others). Making sense of our lives == religion gives people hope and meaning in life (supposedly).

"The cruel, uneventful state
of apathy releases me
I value them but I won't cry every time one's wiped out"

Meaning: The songwriter seems to have just left his religion and is not both apathetic and fascinated by it. Wiped out == religion is losing dominance in our secular society.

"I'll try hard not to give in
Batten down to fare the wind
Rid my head of this pretense
Allow myself no mock defense
As I step into the night"

Meaning: Again, about death. You can figure this one out.

"Mercy's eyes are blue
And when she places them
In front of you
Nothing holds a
Roman candle to
The solemn warmth you feel

There's no measuring of it as nothing else is love"

I'm not clear on this one. Suggestions?

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