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.
Abraham, worth a righteous one.
Take up on the wood,
Put it on your son.
Lake or lamb.
There is none to harm.
When the angel came,
You had raised your arm.
Abraham, put off on your son.
Take instead the ram
Until Jesus comes.
Take up on the wood,
Put it on your son.
Lake or lamb.
There is none to harm.
When the angel came,
You had raised your arm.
Abraham, put off on your son.
Take instead the ram
Until Jesus comes.
Lyrics submitted by EvilPopkin
Abraham Lyrics as written by Sufjan Stevens
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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The story of Abraham and Isaac is summarized fairly bluntly here without so much as a stanza of reflection. Judging by the wildly varying opinions on Abraham's character on this site, I'd say this particular narrative of father and son and obligation hits us humans in the guts for some reason. I wouldn't be surprised if Sufjan kept it straightforward simply because the bare essence of the story is one hell of a thing to wrestle with.
The spare accompaniment, the simple plain-song like melody, and the erie female-voiced chorus all speak to me. It sounds like a priest singing "the mystery of faith" or an imam's throaty chants. It's just like "hey before you react let these words sink in a second."
I would also add, it can't be an accident that Mr Stevens is singing TO Abraham...
I would share my own opinion on the story of Abraham, myself, but I cannot put it any better than Soren Kierkegaard did back when he wrote Fear and Trembling. Read it if that brilliant asshole Abraham really haunts you like he does me.