Children of God

Gira himself has stated that this album is not supposed to be sarcastic or mocking of religion, though he himself is not religious in any mainstream sense. This album, and especially this song, was Gira trying to get into the mindset of religious believers, so he was neither criticizing nor supporting them!

It's actually a very grim tract about evangelists and eventual self-martyrdom for a lost cause. It's an irreligious but powerful statement indeed.

I fail to see any irony there. I mean, I know the background of the album's ideas, I know there's supposed to be some criticism, but not in this song. It seems sincere and pure. Why would someone create such an anthemic and majestic song with sarcastic lyrics? It would be counterproductive. I don't say this to defend Christianity or whatever; I'm an atheist. Anyway, it’s an incredibly powerful and brilliant song; one of the best on what is undoubtedly their best album.

i mean the fact that the song title references a religious cult only further implicates the idea that the song is anti-religion. religious cults are typically recognized as sects of overly pious or brainwashed zealots who are blinded by their fanatic devotion and often act unreasonably and dangerously. cults are pretty much the symbol of religion gone wrong.

i think this song goes with the whole album's anti-religious message that religious texts and leaders are hypocritical at best and malicious at worst. the album really explores the contradictions and dangers of religion and this song caps it off nicely.

This song is one of the most beautiful, powerful, pure and Holy pieces of music ever written. The rhythm is bone-shaking and Jarboe's voice is angelic in the very definition of the term. I can sit and listen to this song over and over for hours. In a few lines of lyric poetry it says more about who we are than a hundred religious books can say in a hundred years. God Bless the Swans.

Cynothoglys's idea makes sense. I suppose I could see the lyrics taking on a slightly sarcastic slant.

I love the song nonetheless.

I don't think this is a religious song.... not at all. Glome and Cynothoglys are real.

I meant to say "right"

It could be both, I admit; Gira's lyrics from this period are unbelievably ambiguous.

the intention was to emulate the religious mindset and the intensity of a worship/gospel song, nothing more.