Vesuvius
I am here
You are that all I have
Fire of fire
I'm insecure
For it is all
Been made to plan
Though I know
I will fail
I cannot
Be made to laugh
For in life
As in death
I'd rather be burned
Than be living in debt

Vesuvius
Are you a ghost
Or the symbols of light
Or a fantasy host?
In your breast
I carry the form
The heart of the Earth
And the weapons of warmth

Vesuvius
The tragic oath
For you have destroyed
With the elegant smoke
Oracle, I've fallen at last
But they were the feast
Of a permanent blast

Vesuvius
Oh, be kind
It hasn't occurred
No it hasn't been said
Sufjan, follow the path
It leads to an article of imminent death
Sufjan, follow your heart
Follow the flame
Or fall on the floor
Sufjan, the panic inside
The murdering ghost
That you cannot ignore

Vesuvius
Fire of fire
Follow me now
As I favor the host

Vesuvius
Fire of fire
Follow me now
As I favor the ghost

Vesuvius
Fire of fire
Follow me now
As I favor the host

Vesuvius
Fire of fire
Follow me now
As I favor the ghost

Vesuvius
Fire of fire
Follow me now
As I favor your host

Vesuvius
Fire of fire
Follow me now
As I favor the ghost

Vesuvius
Fire of fire
Follow me now
As I favor the ghost

Follow me now
Or follow down

Why does it have to be so hard?
Follow me now
Or follow me down

Why does it have to be so hard?
Follow me now
Or follow me down


Lyrics submitted by imapickledbeet, edited by acidcasualty

Vesuvius Lyrics as written by Sufjan Stevens

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Vesuvius song meanings
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    General Comment

    Good thoughts. Read most of it :). Thanks for your clear explanation of "host." Like you mentioned at the end of your comment, I am convinced that the entire song is a questioning of faith, and one of the most powerful I've ever heard put into a song. I think I can explain the "murdering ghost" that you were struggling with. This line is climactic and central (right before the flutes etc. come in), and refers to the violence of Christ's love and grace. Christ's love is not merely gracious, it also cuts like a sword, demanding that we die to our self, that we remove self from its central position in order to all the entrance of Christ's love. This is a Christian theological concept explored by many Christian theologians and artists (my personal fav being Flannery O'Connor). The murdering ghost is the Holy Spirit commanding Sufjan to die to him self. "Why does it have to be so hard?" Yeah, no kidding.

    Caveman7on August 10, 2012   Link

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