In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Be still and know your sign.
The Beast will arrive in time.
We stayed a long, long time.
We stayed a long, long time.
To see you, to beat you,
To see you at last.
I saw the dragons drying.
I saw the witches whine.
We stayed a long, long time.
But I'm not afraid to die.
To see you, to meet you,
To see you last.
I stole my father's shoes.
I pulled His pockets too.
We stayed a long, long time.
We stayed a long, long time.
To see you, to beat you,
To see you, to meet you.
To see you at last.
The Beast will arrive in time.
We stayed a long, long time.
We stayed a long, long time.
To see you, to beat you,
To see you at last.
I saw the dragons drying.
I saw the witches whine.
We stayed a long, long time.
But I'm not afraid to die.
To see you, to meet you,
To see you last.
I stole my father's shoes.
I pulled His pockets too.
We stayed a long, long time.
We stayed a long, long time.
To see you, to beat you,
To see you, to meet you.
To see you at last.
Lyrics submitted by EvilPopkin
In the Devil's Territory Lyrics as written by Sufjan Stevens
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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i heard Jesus in that theremin. God bless sufjan.
It seems as if he is talking of the Devil throughout this story but then it seems more like a longing to "see you". Im not sure if he wants to finally see his great tempter face to face ad spite him or if he switches that part and is talking about God.
Could this be focussing on the time now known as Lent? When Jesus went into the desert (the Devil's Territory) and was tempted by the Devil? And then he emerged (Palm Sunday), died(Good Friday), and was resurrected (Easter Sunday). There's a big thing about waiting and "I'm not afraid to die." Also, the father which could be God.
(If I'm inaccurate in the Bible part, feel free to correct.)
Oh yeah, the instrumentation (banjo, acoustic guitar, piano, etc. rhythm and melody) is fantastically beautiful. But when isn't it with Sufjan?
I stole my Father's shoes I pulled His pockets too We stayed a long, long time We stayed a long, long time To see you, to beat you To see you, to meet you To see you at last
Ive noticed that alot of people are guessing on what this part of the song means. But i think we might all be missing a simple addage that weve heard our entire lives. Does no one remember teh concept of walking on someone elses shoes? I think Sufjan is trying to express his childlike commitment to Christ, in the fact that he stole his fathers shoes (to say that he does so to walk in his footsteps). And a child usualy pulls the pocket of a parent to remain close to them. And the final part of the song is him just reminding "The beast" that he and his father stayed along time (together) to see him defeated. I think this is signifying his success in his walk with Christ and overall defeat of Satan in his life....But...just the same...its only my opinion
Enjoy everyone By grace through Faith Simeon...
he has a great voice. that's all i can say about this. i love how he says "time" ahaha. but really. i love his voice.
my two cents for the "i stole my father's shoes..." is that he is confessing the frivolous sins he committed
I think the first stanza is addressed to the devil. He's saying that he's waiting a long time to see Satan defeated. The second stanza is addressed to Jesus. He's saying that he's not afraid to die since when he dies he will be with his Lord. The final stanza is addressed to Satan again. I'm only guessing.
well, i'm guessing with you.
i agree.
In Heaven, are we going to meet all the angels that ever were? Are we going to meet everything, and find out that evil was a bad dream?
do i hear a theremin in this song?