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Gabriel Lyrics

Gabriel, listen
I'm in need of a friend
Gabriel would you listen?

Faith alone is a prison
And I can't sleep with the fallen
Gabriel would you listen
If you are here then let me see
I need you now
Please don't leave me
Gabriel, listen

You will speak for the father
And who will speak for the others?
The widows, sons, and the mothers
And I'm so far now from heaven
That I won't question dissenting
Gabriel, listen

Church is fallen
Priests are hard up
If these are your workers
Then is all this love, this earth, this good forsaken?

Gabriel, listen
I'm in need of a friend
Gabriel would you listen?
Faith alone is a prison
And I am one of the fallen
Gabriel wouldn't listen
And Gabriel wouldn't listen
Song Info
Submitted by
planetearth On Jun 16, 2005
1 Meaning

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Cover art for Gabriel lyrics by Glen Phillips

This explanation is paraphrased from a 2000 show in Annapolis, MD:

"Glen (who is Jewish) had a (presumably Christian) friend in his younger years who once told him 'Glen, I'm so sad. You're such a nice person, and it hurts me to know you'll burn in hell for all eternity.' (that's from my memory--not an exact quote). Glen's quip to that? 'It's a nice sentiment, if taken the right way.'

"He goes on to say that he thinks everyone, no matter how adamant in their religious beliefs, must occasionally walk down the street and see people of some other faith and wonder whether THEY'RE the ones with the right idea. The song, then, is about arriving at the gates of Heaven and being 'denied access,' (to use Glen's words) on the basis of religious denomination.

"Incidentally, Glen later went on to point out that it's actually supposed to be St. Peter, not the angel Gabriel at the gates of heaven, but the song remains as is."

 
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