I have called you, children
I have called you, son
What is there to answer
If I'm the only one
Morning comes in Paradise
Morning comes in light
Still I must obey
Still I must invite
If there's anything to say
If there's anything to do
I there's any other way
I'll do anything for you
I was dressed in embarrassment
I was dressed in white
If you had a part of me
Will you take your time
Even if I come back
Even if I die
Is there some idea
To replace my life
Like a father to impress
Like a mother's mourning dress
If we ever make a mess
I'll do anything for you
I have called you, preacher
I have called you, son
If you have a father
Or if you haven't one
I'll do anything for you
I'll do anything for you
I'll do anything for you
I'll do anything for you
I did everything for you
I did everything for you
I did everything for you
I did everything for you
I did everything for you
I did everything for you
I did everything for you
I did everything for you
I have called you, son
What is there to answer
If I'm the only one
Morning comes in Paradise
Morning comes in light
Still I must obey
Still I must invite
If there's anything to say
If there's anything to do
I there's any other way
I'll do anything for you
I was dressed in embarrassment
I was dressed in white
If you had a part of me
Will you take your time
Even if I come back
Even if I die
Is there some idea
To replace my life
Like a father to impress
Like a mother's mourning dress
If we ever make a mess
I'll do anything for you
I have called you, preacher
I have called you, son
If you have a father
Or if you haven't one
I'll do anything for you
I'll do anything for you
I'll do anything for you
I'll do anything for you
I did everything for you
I did everything for you
I did everything for you
I did everything for you
I did everything for you
I did everything for you
I did everything for you
I did everything for you
Lyrics submitted by antennas, edited by lightningrod14
For The Widows In Paradise, For The Fatherless In Ypsilanti Lyrics as written by Sufjan Stevens
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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For the Widows in Paradise, for the Fatherless in Ypsilanti song meanings
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The thing is, Christianity has become so repugnant to so many people, but artists like Sufjan have a way of transforming it into something that's so identifiable and human.
I'm not really a Christian, but I prefer to believe that the Christian interpretation is, in fact, one of several actual meanings. Given the story it tells, religious inclinations aside, that makes it all the more beautiful.
"Let me do a song really quick about a small town up here called Paradise. Michigan has Paradise as well as Hell Michigan. It's kind of interesting. And, Um Paradise is a place...I noticed when we went up there to play a football tournament in high school, I noticed that there was all these single mothers and women and grandmothers but there weren't any men, and so I had sort of devised a story in my mind that they had all died in the war and that they were all widows. But they were really a very happy and optimistic community and they all seemed to be working together, and it was, like, women of the world take over. This is for the widows in Paradise."
It's an amazing concert. I love that guy.
It seems like Jesus in the narrator. I don't understand some of the lines, but then again, I don't know much about Christianity.
I'm mostly fascinated by the lines "If you have a father, or if you haven't one. I'll do anything for you." This is very similar to the lines in another song of his, Vito's Ordination. In that song he sings "If you haven't one (a father), rest in my arms, sleep in my bed."
I think both of these lines mean that even if you don't believe in God (father), God will still care and provide for you. A nice thought. Apparently Sufjan believes in a benevolent God, unlike certain proclaimed Christian government officials, who shall remain unnamed.........George W. Bush.
If there's anything say
If there's anything to do
I there's any other way
I'd do anything for you.
Jesus was human after all, it's not as if he was totally gung-ho about suffering terribly and dying on a cross.
"I was dressed in embarassment
I was dressed in white"
most depictions of the passion of Christ depict him wearing white, and He was beaten and scorned and "embarassed" in front of a large crowd.
Even if I come back
Even if I die
Is there some idea
To replace my life?
as for this part, I think He wants to know that His death is for a purpose, that His ideas and such will be left behind and He won't have died in vain.
basically this is a beautiful song, regardless of one's beliefs. it's quite Christian-themed but I don't think it's offensive to someone who doesn't believe. I hope not anyway, it's got a wonderful positive message.
James 1:27
"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world"