| Menomena – Tithe Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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I believe this song is about someone who was sexually abused as a child, by a member of the clergy. The imagery of being horizontal on the floor, like a bobsled, of course, refers to the abuse. This, I believe is where the boy's faith was dismantled. The "someone" who retired, probably refers to the abuser. "Tithe" is a tenth of the annual earnings that a church and clergy receives through supporters. A percentage of the tithe also went to the paving of a metaphorical road. But the road is false, it leads "nowhere" and yet is "gridlocked," it leaves you stuck. Solomon is thought to be a sinful king, who turned away from God, which resulted in the kingdom's divide. Perhaps the metaphorical road being paved with his gold, symbolizes the idea of the road being divided, unsure, sinful, maybe even wholly wrong. The rest of the song continues with biblical references. The rapture comes and goes, bringing earthquakes, and then, come the trumpets of angels that save the "chosen ones" who are then allowed to phone home. It seems as though the speaker is disgusted with this. The "chosen ones" the saved ones were the very ones who abused him as a child. Nothing about a religion like that sounds appealing. It's a tragic, but oh so beautiful song. |
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