The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Sleep takes its hold with a sinking pull. And now that I'm alone, this burst of light
fills my lids and I'm awake to the songs of horror. Your ill-bought greatness, he's seen it all from the frame.
One day you'll reap the seeds of a shadowed past, and I can only hope I'm there.
You tried to satisfy the thirst of thousand ages,
But built a stack of bones as your monument to dead vanity.
It's just a shrine to the words you use to wreck. Tell me, How can you sleep?
How can you just welcome the wine and throw out your nets?
You throw out your nets and set fame to bait the noose. Set fame to derail whats innocent.
Why spare the life of inglorious waste? Why let him live?
He's just hunting your own! How can you just sit there and watch?
"Because i love you more than you know. Look again and tell me what you see!"
In the window was me. The massacres were all me!
Oh God, please! Please! deliver the penalties for all of this from me.
I'm not finding justice, no warrant for mercy...
don't give up on me. Don't give up on me!
What happens when I turn and run again? And again, and again?
"I will forgive you."
And what happens when I lie to your face?
"I will forgive you."
Oh my God, I can be so defiant to some one who's arms stretch to me.
"I will forgive."
Don't give up on me! Don't give up on me!
"I have forgiven you!"
I'll awake to new purpose to fight this body.
No longer will I play the dark shepherd.
Let not my words be ripped from the throat of a horror.
Oh, forgiver! Where is justice in letting me live?
fills my lids and I'm awake to the songs of horror. Your ill-bought greatness, he's seen it all from the frame.
One day you'll reap the seeds of a shadowed past, and I can only hope I'm there.
You tried to satisfy the thirst of thousand ages,
But built a stack of bones as your monument to dead vanity.
It's just a shrine to the words you use to wreck. Tell me, How can you sleep?
How can you just welcome the wine and throw out your nets?
You throw out your nets and set fame to bait the noose. Set fame to derail whats innocent.
Why spare the life of inglorious waste? Why let him live?
He's just hunting your own! How can you just sit there and watch?
"Because i love you more than you know. Look again and tell me what you see!"
In the window was me. The massacres were all me!
Oh God, please! Please! deliver the penalties for all of this from me.
I'm not finding justice, no warrant for mercy...
don't give up on me. Don't give up on me!
What happens when I turn and run again? And again, and again?
"I will forgive you."
And what happens when I lie to your face?
"I will forgive you."
Oh my God, I can be so defiant to some one who's arms stretch to me.
"I will forgive."
Don't give up on me! Don't give up on me!
"I have forgiven you!"
I'll awake to new purpose to fight this body.
No longer will I play the dark shepherd.
Let not my words be ripped from the throat of a horror.
Oh, forgiver! Where is justice in letting me live?
Lyrics submitted by shane472
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Bean Farmer had a good point and I believe that it's one meaning it could be.
The way that I interpreted it when I first listened to the lyrics had tears filling my eyes. To me it's about the listener, whoever you are because let's face it. "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" and even one sin separates you from him. The listener points all of these fingers, we all do, showing God how horrible some person is and honestly asking God why he is allowing that horrible sinner to live. Suddenly God reveals the identity of the sinner to the listener and it brings you to your proverbial knees to know that this person that you loathe is yourself; that you have been pointing fingers at yourself hoping that God would wipe you off the face of the earth. At least it did me.
The message is extremely humbling and so painful if you are a real christian. After listening to this song I understand the want to tear your clothes in agony like they did in the bible. The pain is so complete once you realize that the song is about yourself. In the song, the listener then begs for his life knowing full well that he doesn't deserve it and half way wanting God not to save you because of all the horrible things you have done.
An amazing song lyrically and muscly. The song's mood fit's so well. The beginning you can tell how angry and indignant the listener is and how sorry and pained he is after he realized the truth.
10/10
Amen Sythrim. Every time I listen to this song I am brought to the verge of tears. Truly we serve a gracious heavenly Father. We deserve eternal damnation yet He saves us by sending His Son to die on the cross for our sins. Praise the Lord!<br /> <br /> Micah really captures the emotion of this song beautifully with his screams as well.
Very true, it's like when Jesus said "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her". It's only by the grace of God through Christ that one is saved. Not one on this earth is righteous
Sorry for the double post, but one more thing:
"Why spare the life of inglorious waste? Why let him live? He's just hunting your own! How can you just sit there and watch? "Because i love you more than you know. Look again and tell me what you see!" In the window was me. The massacres were all me!"
Basically the turning point in the song I mentioned in my previous post. After recounting all the horrible deads, the narrator asks how this person, this evil CHARLATAN who led so many astray could be allowed to live. Than he realizes that the person is him, and starts begging for mercy. I like the irony...
Oh my God!!!! Best band in the whole wide world! They are new, but their music has such an impact on me. Awesome music, backed by even more incredible lyrics! Ex band members of 'Terminal' are in Oh Sleeper, thats probably why they are so awesome.
Charlatan means a flamboyant deceiver. This is probably in reference to Satan. and sometimes people can indirectly be a host to Satan's work. this may be by turning your back and running from god, as it says in the song, or by lying to his face. No matter what it is, the center meaning of the song that speaks to me is that god will forgive you always.. because he loves you more than you know.
God Bless, Jesse
I'm gonna give my take on the song, but first of all, Ex Nihilo...is that a reference to the Becoming the Archetype song? If that's the case, than you're my hero ;)
Anyway...
To be blunt, it's pretty simple. The first half is all about the horrible wrongs someone committed and the second half says how God will forgive you no matter what. BTW, I love the last line: "Oh, forgiver! Where is justice in letting me live?" Saying how undeserving we are of his limitless love.
Ripped from the throat of a horror, best fucking line. Srsly.
I agree with jessinado and this band is killer
this song is about how people sin and how God will always forgive them.
The music blends in perfectly with the lyrics. It sets the mood of someone who is truly full of grief and sorrow. I really like the part when he cries out, "Don't give up on me, don't give up on me!" Beautiful song. Oh, Sleeper is definitely one of my favorites.
And a triple post...
Not really necessary to say, but in the end he turns his life around: "No longer will I play the dark shepherd."
I honestly think that this song is about one of the greatest preachers of the gospel, Paul. The Bible speaks of a pharisee named Saul. He made it his sole duty to persecute Christians, going as far as murdering them for their beliefs. He was a fearsome enemy of Christian church. After being granted permission, he set out to Damascus to further persecute more Christians. On the way, ther is bright light that knocks Saul from his horse. Surrounded by this ethereal light, God speaks to him, asking, "why does thou persecute Me?" After that he was blinded for three days and could not eat. There is more to the story than that, but needless to say, after that incident he became a strong believer in Christ and one of the most faithful people to ever live. Oh yeah, and God changed his name to Paul.
I honestly think this song about the three days spent blind. I imagine God showed him exactly what he did to so many people. but he could not recognize the evil in himself. I will try to break down a bit more in another post, but I hope this encourages some people to look into it as well.