Overcome

i not quite sure but i am thinking that its about being trapped in this ugly world that people hate and in the darkness of it all finding the love of God. he is overcome by the love of God because the earth is so dark and ugly. but still i'm not sure.

Jenna's information goes the longest way for me of explaining all the lyrics... I don't know that many Live songs, actually, but from what I've heard, there seems to be an almost ecstatic mystical streak to a lot of them. I think of stuff I read by Jellaludin Rumi and St. John of the Cross where the poet dissolves into God, which is a kind of death (holy drowning, maybe?). Lyrics like "the world is bleeding" and "women in the streets pulling out their hair" do evoke the tragedies of the world. It just doesn't make sense to me that, with "holy water" and "beautiful drowning", these are what he's overcome by in this song. Still, the emotional tone is somehow fitting for all sorts of situations, as many here have noted.

I think you are all missing the higher meaning. This is about seeing the wrongs in the world, and instead of brushing them aside, helping them, therefore showing your love.

The "holy water in my lungs" is the breath of life given when you help others in need.

I just heard an interview that Ed had on 92.3 WKRX (?) in New York. He said that he had the lyrics for a few years and last year while on tour, he re-edited it based upon things he views on the news (Palestine, school shootings, etc). However, it was definitely written and finalized before 9/11 (1 year to the date, RIP all...). Despite this, for many, as noted above and elsewhere, it has taken on 9/11 connotations. Nevertheless, I think it is a great song.

IT'S CLEARLY NOT ABOUT 9/11 AND IT'S OBVIOUSLY NOT ABOUT COLUMBINE.

Man, that is such a "publik" school interpretation.

It's about "Fortress America" and the dehumanizing aspect of urban life.

If you don't understand what I mean by that, feel free to ask and I'll explain in further detail.

That goes for the mods too. I'm sick of you all abusing your priviledges just because you don't "get" something.

The band did an interview a loooong time ago about this song. It was about an experience of the band members had when he was baptized. They really didn't explain themselves well, but talking about being dunked under the water in a lake when they were a teenager.

"holy water in my lungs" "beautiful drowning"

This song is about being baptized and finding Christ. Drowning and Holy Water are references to being Batized. 'My master's in the yard giving light to the unaware", Jesus helps everyone even if they are unaware or ignorant. "This plastic little place is just a step amongst the stairs", this life and Earth is just another step that we all must take before we go home. "I am overcome", he is overcome with happiness and love in his faith, and for the Lord.

This is a beautiful and uplifting song about accepting Jesus as his savior.

While I am agnostic, verging on atheist, I can't help but love the way Live's lyrics describe their experiences and feelings of God. I agree with cjhike, Overcome is about finding God and being baptised.

What are the possibilities this song was written in a Christian context? World bleeding, spun around... life before conversion? After all, "holy water" is repeated through the song as a theme, in his lungs, all over him; baptism by submersion? Ethical struggle going on in his life?

ok yeah so I just read the last comments... I'm new here. I agree with liveislife. Baptism.