Everything gonna be all-right
I went deep down into that river now. I rose up.
I felt that sun beat down upon this sinner's face.
I went deep in that water now. I rose up.
I felt that sun beat down upon my face
Everything gonna be all-right
So the I smash the palace like the son of Samson,
Hollerin' louder than all of Bedlam,
Take me to higher ground,
The bury my body six feet down.
I walked forty miles out into that desert now.
Wailed and moaned, till a Lion, He called my name.
And He said that Old Ship of Zion is taking way way out,
Out into outer space.
And He said everything gonna be all-right
I climbed the highest of the heights.
Atop that mountain I watched the day turn into night.
Oh I tell you I was a wretched sight,
But I stood long and hard until the light.
Rubbing needles in my eyes, eating dirt.
I stood up, and everything was all-right.
I felt that sun beat down upon this sinner's face.
I went deep in that water now. I rose up.
I felt that sun beat down upon my face
Hollerin' louder than all of Bedlam,
Take me to higher ground,
The bury my body six feet down.
I walked forty miles out into that desert now.
Wailed and moaned, till a Lion, He called my name.
And He said that Old Ship of Zion is taking way way out,
Out into outer space.
And He said everything gonna be all-right
Atop that mountain I watched the day turn into night.
Oh I tell you I was a wretched sight,
But I stood long and hard until the light.
Rubbing needles in my eyes, eating dirt.
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Is this song referencing Bible stories or what?
yes it references the story of Samson, the title might reference the seven days feast.
yes it references the story of Samson, the title might reference the seven days feast.
yea in the story - Samson, who's hair gives him immortal strength, has his hair cut off and is chained to a pillars. as his hair grows back he turns into a baddass and start hulking out on the palace.
yea in the story - Samson, who's hair gives him immortal strength, has his hair cut off and is chained to a pillars. as his hair grows back he turns into a baddass and start hulking out on the palace.
It's not retelling any Biblical stories from what I can gather, but there is a strong Christianity theme to it. There is an interview with Neil somewhere on youtube, where he is talking on a bus and he describes how he uses names and certain things as a literary device, basically.
I went deep down into that river now. I rose up. I felt that sun beat down upon this sinner's face. I went deep in that water now. I rose up. I felt that sun beat down upon my face
This is obviously a baptism. I shouldn't really even have to explain it.
Bedlam was a hospital for the insane a long time ago.
And the story of Samson in the bible, God gave him the strength to conquer his enemies.
Basically I think the song is about overcoming obstacles through your own beliefs, whatever those may be, as to kind of say "Everything's gonna be alright".
It seems as though Neil likes writing songs that kinda sound like bad-ass sermons, or at least have a "Gospel/Revival" sound to them(Burning Beard/10,000 Witnesses are some other examples). I think the song is just supposed to be about overcoming some great challenge and/or getting a fresh start. The first stanza is obviously baptismal imagery.
It seems as though Neil likes writing songs that kinda sound like bad-ass sermons, or at least have a "Gospel/Revival" sound to them(Burning Beard/10,000 Witnesses are some other examples). I think the song is just supposed to be about overcoming some great challenge and/or getting a fresh start. The first stanza is obviously baptismal imagery.
"Old Ship of Zion" is a hymn that was written circa 1889. "7 Jam" seems to be heavily based upon it. Here are the lyrics to it:
I was standing by the banks of a river Looking out over lifes troubled seas When I saw an old ship that was sailing Is that the old ship of Zion I see
It's hull was bent and battered From the storms of life I could see Waves were rough but that old ship kept sailing Is that the old ship of Zion I see
At the stern of the ship was the captain I could hear as he called out my name Get on board It's the old ship of Zion It will never pass this way again
As I step on board I'll be leaving All my troubles and trials behind I'll be safe with Jesus the captain Sailing out on the old ship of Zion
The gospel roots in their music is unmistakable here. I think the closest Clutch has come to admitting them is naming Faith No More as an influence; Mike Patton was definitely a gospel-trained vocalist. Gospel roots have always been present since the foundation for Rock'n'Roll, ironically called devil music by preachers who don't like the competition.