Immortality

Contrary to what everyone else thinks this song is clearly about the plight of Native Americans in the US. To vacate refers to the mass relocation of native americans onto reservations. vengence has no meaning in that they could not enact revenge. To be a truant (or someone without a place in society) as the native americans are. The trap door in the sun refers to a common native american belief in the sun being godlike and was worshipped however when they prayed for the killing and relocation to stop their worship of the sun ment nothing and they seemed to have been tricked into worshipping it. Victims in demand for public show refers to the many circus acts that payed many native americans to "act like indians" in their shows. This song also in its title refers to both the everlasting hate and pain that has been felt by the native americans.

This song was debuted live before Kurt Cobain's death, so it wasn't originally about that. However, after Cobain died some of the lyrics were changed (eg "cigar box on the floor")

ugh I don't know. I think it's about suicide, maybe kurt cobain. Dying young is like eternal youth, immortality. You will be remembered as young, beautiful and talented. As somebody. Like someone before me said like layne, who died in 2002 long after aic had faded away... I think in the neil young song though it's spoken more of looking at the bright side, like saying "well, at least it's better to burn out than fade away" not to do it on purpose :/ I love this song. Immortality... amazing.

Vedder has repeatedly said that its not about Cobain's death, but i still think it is. The line 'cigar box on the floor' probably refers to the cigar box that was found next to Kurt's body.

I agree there has got to be some inspiration from Cobains suicide, the scrawl desolved cigar box thing is too dead on. Vedder may have distanced himself from that notion for personal reasons or because he didnt want a song to be considered a ode to Cobains suicide. I also feel several lines reference Courtney Love and the way she was treated after Kurts death.

I'm not a Nirvana fan (I don't like them at all), but I've been told that shortly before Cobain's death heroin was destroying his ability to play guitar and sing. I'm wondering if that's what the last line of the song is about. If he hadn't killed himself, he could have progressively got worse and be placed in the same category as Axl Rose (former legend who 'lost it'). By killing himself, Kurt ensured he would be remembered as a great musician.

The allusions to Cobain's death is severely uncanny, yet I don't believe that the song is enitirely about it. Some lines just don't fit with that idea.

To me: Immortality speaks of truants: those who neglect their in duties in life and the consequences they must pay for thereafter.

Vacate, meaning to countermand as in a death sentence, refers to the redemption truants can achieve if they choose to take responsibilities. Because they have no one to blame other than themselves, reprisal for their circumstances is an impossibility (“Vengeance has no place so near to her”). However, none shall feel pity for those who ignore obligations and thus the phrase, “artificial tears.” In such a case, one cannot find salvation through intelligence, but rather their change in morals. “Wisdom can’t adhere.” When some people feel that they have found a place in life, they strive to keep hold of their rank, but without the right priorities, they can easily lose fame and glory. This is depicted by the line: “A truant finds home, and a wish to hold on, but there’s a trapdoor in the sun.”

Some of those who fail to strive, lose respect from others, and consequently lose any privileges given unto them. "As privelaged as a whore."

“coming up a which way sign” refers to the decision they must make. If they make the wrong decision, they are likely to fall into worse conditions, sometimes to the point in which they would rather commit suicide to escape life. “Some just die to live…”

anyone think that the line 'oh stripped and sold mom' could be about vedders mom? as in the success of 'alive'?

To me, this is not about Cobain at all. It is about the scum that use religion to steal away the life savings of poor, ignorant people.

"Artifical tears" is a reference to the Jimmy Swaggart-type of fake pain. ("I have sinned against you.. Boo-Hoo..")

"Vessel stabbed.. next up volunteers" refers people, one-by-one, giving their very life's blood to these televangelist vampires - their money.

"Vunerable, wisdom can't adhere" refers to people that are too vunerable to use rational thought to see through the scam.

"A truant finds home.. A wish to hold on.." refers to someone that feels they are not where they are supposed to be and comes "home" into the religious fold, only to find that what they thought would be a saviour is actually a sham, or "a trapdoor in the sun".

"As privledged as a whore.. Victims in demand for public show.. swept out through the cracks.." is about how the people that are looking for help used for monetary gain and then swept away and discarded.

"Holier than thou... how?" is another reference to the Swaggert-type that pretends to be closer to God than any of his followers can be , but Eddie asks how that can be possible.

"Scrawl dissolved.. cigar box on the floor" refer to the predators taking checks and cash from the poor. "Scrawl dissolved" is the check being deposited into the vampire's account and people sometimes keep their savings in a hidden cigar box, which is now empty and on the floor.

"Stripped and sold... auctioned forearm..." is about giving everything away (i.e. costing an arm and a leg), thinking they are paying admission to Heaven.

"Some die just to live" means that people refuse to live during their mortal existence on Earth. They are waiting to die so they can have true life in the ever after.

Pearl Jam makes reference to the sham and hypocrisy of organized religion in other songs.

Icarus and Daedalus?