| Nickel Creek – Seven Wonders Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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I've always been entranced by this Nickel Creek song - ever since I first heard it as a kid - but I didn't really understand its meaning. Now, however, I agree that it's a comparison between what humans often want to believe about their place and power in the universe, and the reality. This is my interpretation: As the song points out, the protagonist ("he" - possibly a certain person, but also possibly humanity in general) is "powerless" against time, nature ("the rain will come this spring"; "he can't enfold the sun or moon, or wind within his hands") and even worldly changes ("kingdoms fall"), but tries to deny this powerlessness, invoking himself as the "great I am" (a straight-up Biblical allusion; the protagonist is insisting he is the Almighty, is God Himself). However, the protagonist inwardly knows he is only "second place" to God/Nature/the Universe - even though he hides this obvious disgrace, continuing to act powerful and godly ("pontiff smile"). The chorus is the part that remains mysterious: What exactly are the seven wonders? Why are six gone, and which one still survives? For me, the chorus brings to mind the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - out of the seven, six (including the Colossus of Rhodes and the Lighthouse of Alexandria) have been destroyed by natural forces or human actions. Only one(the Great Pyramids at Gizeh)remains. The allusion to these wonders reinforces the theme of the song, as all but one of these great - but human - monuments have fallen to higher powers; even so, the "grand illusion" and "sad confusion" of man as God "lingers on." That is, humans tend to grasp at the illusion of their power and magnitude, even when faced with overwhelming evidence of their powerlessness and insignificance. The song's tone suggests that it's not necessarily a bad thing, it's just...well, rather hopeless, but human to do so. Whew, that was a long explanation! This is merely my take on it, however. Great song. c: |
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