I Am

Just fixed the lyrics, I guess I'll kick this off. I can't believe no one's commented on this song yet, as it's easily my favorite by DLC. The section that begins, "Born a slave..." is just one of the most uplifting and incredible moments in the band's entire catalog!

But anyways, let's get to the nitty gritty. There's a lot of rich stuff in the lyrics and it's so beautifully written. I'm almost positive it's about Moses, and here's my evidence why.

First, the repetition of "Deliver us" and "deliverance." Moses is often said to have 'delivered' the Jews from Egypt, i.e., freed them from slavery.

"Defiant, I'll become the shelter." That is, Moses is defying the will of Pharaoh, and becoming the "shelter" for his people: the Jews.

Next: the red river imagery. This is one of two very strong indications that this song is about Moses. Quoted from the Bible: "By this you will know that I am the LORD: With the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water of the Nile, and it will be changed into blood." The River of Blood is one of the most famous images of Moses' exploits in Egypt.

During my favorite part of the song, it says: "Born a slave here in denial I am free now / I am just holding my own sacred line / I will keep on following." Obviously, Moses was a Jew. And since he was born in Egypt, he was, in fact, born a slave. But after coming to know of his heritage, fleeing from Egypt, and finding God, he is "free now" and has returned to free his people--his "own sacred line" (i.e. the blood of Israel), as well.

"I the tested, I the broken stand." Even though Moses had God on his side, this was by no means easy for him. He had his hardships, he had his doubts. He was even doubted by his own people as a prophet of God, but still, he stood strong and firm in his beliefs and in his mission.

The other strong piece of evidence that this is about Moses is the chorus and the title of the song itself: "I am all of who I am." When God revealed himself to Moses in the form of the burning bush, Moses asked who he was, and God replied with one of the most famous lines in the entire Bible: "I Am that I Am." It's not exact, but it's close enough, and the resemblance only makes the relationship even stronger.

The only confusing part in this (and this may just be a creative license that Kim took when writing the lyrics to the song) is when the subject of the poem--let's assume it's Moses--is referred to as "a martyr." Moses was a prophet, not a martyr. He died on the opposite side of the Jordan River, unable to enter Canaan with his people because God banished him from the Promised Land. The way the song is written makes it seem as if he sacrificed himself to save his people when, according to the Bible, he actually survived the exodus from Egypt and died of old age--not of martyrdom.

Regardless, that's my own interpretation, and in the end, the perceived discrepancies with the Biblical story of Moses isn't important. What is important is that this song is amazing! Absolutely in LOVE with DLC<3

Think u nailed it there cassana