while the jesus/salvation thing could also work, i think it's more on a simpler theme.
ted leo grew up in bloomfield, new jersey (same city as i did!) and the gold finch and the red oak are the state bird and tree of NJ. i remember reading somewhere in an article, it mentioned how he lived in new england for a while, but came back to jersey because it feels more like home. i think the song is just about how he feels for the state, how your home and family will always be there for you.
while the jesus/salvation thing could also work, i think it's more on a simpler theme.
ted leo grew up in bloomfield, new jersey (same city as i did!) and the gold finch and the red oak are the state bird and tree of NJ. i remember reading somewhere in an article, it mentioned how he lived in new england for a while, but came back to jersey because it feels more like home. i think the song is just about how he feels for the state, how your home and family will always be there for you.