Crumbs From Your Table

This song, in part, is an attack against The Church, because "it was slow to respond to the Aids emergency, and very judgmental about people with AIDS"

Also, I heard this song is about Africa and its hunger and economic problems

The title is a reference to a bible passage Matthew 15:26-28

26He replied, “It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs.”

27“Yes, Lord,” she said, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.”

28Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Though you might look at it somewhat either way...ie, Bono's rich and out of touch, or he's doing good where he is...I think, like Montrose, that he is doing good where he is. Who else is in the unique position that Bono is in to influence people of political power? We've all heard it said that politicians listen to him. He serves in his own way. Not everyone is called to the field. Some are called to the business room.
He is doing a heck of a lot better than sitting around all day on his arse, smoking dope, hanging out with groupies, I think.

I think he has hit on some truth in this song. Christians are called to do good to the poor, this is part of letting "the light" shine. Doing good to Africa would be a tremendous way to let the light of the gospel shine. And there actually are some Christian groups doing it. Perhaps this song is a call for more to come on board and reach out. To stop thinking about ME all the time.

Why is it sometimes songs of scathing rebuke sound so good musically?

Heard some new information about what the following verse is about....

Where you live should not decide Whether you live or whether you die Three to a bed Sister Ann, she said Dignity passes by

This is a about Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi. Malawi is one of the poorest nation's on Earth. Bono was visited this hospital, and was shown around by Sister Ann Carr, of the Medical Missions of Mary. There is usually 300% bed occupancy, with two to a bed and one on the floor. In a recent radio interview Sr Ann spoke of how Kamuzu is a free hospital, and that those with money can afford to have their own bed in other hospitals - but not the poor. "The poor have no choice", she said. I can personally identify with this, having worked in Bugandu Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania for a summer, and seen first hand how beds are filled with extra patients. I now work in a Dublin hospital, where people get upset about patients remaining on trolleys for too long - at least they don't have to share the trolleys.

Well, to me is simple.

You ask for help/respect/medicines/food and speak about being good, but it's hard for me to believe in you when all you give is your leftovers.

It can be said on a country level, or a person level. Some paragraphs may be inspired by band experiences, but the meaning remains the same.

You speak about being good, but you are not as good as you want the others to be with you.

My new favorite from HTDAAB. I adore the second verse. And the guitars in this song are amazing. The solo in the middle reminds me of the guitar solo from WALK ON. A 10 out of 10!!!! :)

Great song, I think the chorus it just amazing. They wrote this song drinking, Bono and The Edge.

2861U2, I think you're right on about African hunger and economic problems. I think Bono offers a really good-natured, but cutting indictment of US policy:

"Would you deny for others What you demand for yourself?"

We demand high technology and good drugs, but don't do enough to help the rest of the world achieve those aims.

"You speak of signs and wonders I need something other "

We're full of hopeful rhetoric about medical miracles, but concrete support and assistance is often hard to come by.

"With a mouth full of teeth You ate all your friends And you broke every heart thinking every heart mends"

This one to me is really interesting. Modern conservatism tends to think that you can eliminate government help and regulations, and people will survive through solely human ingenuity and hard work. Bono is recasting that idea, saying that it's easy and irresponsible to just assume people can make themselves better - sometimes, you can't make it on your own. :-)

"Where you live should not decide Whether you live or whether you die "

Obvious, but moving.

All in all, a great song. Quickly becoming my favorite from HTDAAB as well, tied with "A Man and A Woman."

i argee with stickandstones