Joy! Joy! Joy!

"I believe in" and "I've read every page"

"Every syllable the same Every letter, every line"

This song is about the heart of the Christian worldview, about holding to the core doctrines of the Bible, specifically Biblical historicity and inerrancy. When you define your worldview by the reality of God and his purposes for us, it definitely shapes your life. This song is a lyrical declaration of his adherence to this worldview.

"Hey, Shar? Yes, Sufjan? So, what do you believe in? Oh, a lot of things Oh yeah, like what? Well, peace and justice for all"

The dialogue between Sufjan and his friend speak of the postmodern mentality that Christianity is simply a philosophy or moral ideology. There is a common idea held by postmodernism and orthodox Christianity, mainly that "God wants us to be nice (peaceful) to each other and have a good time (joy)," which is mostly true. However, the Christian worldview of how to end up at that goal of joy and peace is completely opposite of all other worldviews.

"I believe in peace" & "joy"

The culmination of the Christian worldview is that God redeems His people, leading us to peace and joy, amidst and in spite of the tragedy of the Fall and of sin. If everyone was a practicing Christian, the world would have more peace and joy. Sufjan is proclaiming his belief in that ultimate end result of God's plan for humanity.

If you find meaning in Sufjan's music, please take the time to read the Gospels, particularly Luke. Know that there are large bodies of scientific (historical) evidence for the accuracy of Luke's paritial biography of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God.

It was rather hard to make out most of what Sufjan was singing with all the electronic clatter and such going on, but I believe that the majority of these lyrics are correct. Please comment with any corrections and I will edit them.

Oh, and it seems to me this song is about the Bible.

About the lyrics:

I heard the line "I would serve the Kingdom's will" as "I would send the Kingdom's field." I know that doesn't make much sense, but I'm pretty sure that's what it says.

Also: The section "I believe in (page) Believe in (page) Believe in (page) Believe in (page)"

I think he's saying marriage instead of page.

The empty "name" sounds kinda like Cher, although I don't think that's it. Sherriff? Sheryl?

And I think the part where you said single book is actually "syllable."

great melding of sufjan's electronic "enjoy your rabbit" tendancies with the normal sufjan-y vocals.

There are some other layered words at the very end that I can't make out what so ever.

The (name?) does sound like Cher, but who knows on that one.

I believe in (page) is definitly page only with only one vocal singing it, so its harder to make out.

dan356 sounds right on the "kingdom's will/field" thing. But who knows!

Someone ask sufjan.

The name is "Shar" - as in Shara Worden (aka My Brightest Diamond), one of Sufjan's friend/singer/collaborators. She was the head cheerleader in the Illinoisemakers.

I think he says "rage" at first before "i've read every page".

also in the end instead of "and, and, and" he might be saying "damn" but it's unlike sufjan to use profanity

He is talking about the fruit of the spirit as mentioned in the book of Galatians 5:22-23 in the New Testament. Beautiful song.

He is saying "marriage", not "page". It's very subtle, but you can hear two syllables in it.

Also, I'm hearing "Dan" instead of "and", which doesn't make much sense, save for the name means "justice". It could just be a trick of the ears due to the looping echo... but it's definitely not "damn".