This explanation is paraphrased from a 2000 show in Annapolis, MD:
"Glen (who is Jewish) had a (presumably Christian) friend in his younger years who once told him 'Glen, I'm so sad. You're such a nice person, and it hurts me to know you'll burn in hell for all eternity.' (that's from my memory--not an exact quote). Glen's quip to that? 'It's a nice sentiment, if taken the right way.'
"He goes on to say that he thinks everyone, no matter how adamant in their religious beliefs, must occasionally walk down the street and see people of some other faith and wonder whether THEY'RE the ones with the right idea. The song, then, is about arriving at the gates of Heaven and being 'denied access,' (to use Glen's words) on the basis of religious denomination.
"Incidentally, Glen later went on to point out that it's actually supposed to be St. Peter, not the angel Gabriel at the gates of heaven, but the song remains as is."
This explanation is paraphrased from a 2000 show in Annapolis, MD:
"Glen (who is Jewish) had a (presumably Christian) friend in his younger years who once told him 'Glen, I'm so sad. You're such a nice person, and it hurts me to know you'll burn in hell for all eternity.' (that's from my memory--not an exact quote). Glen's quip to that? 'It's a nice sentiment, if taken the right way.'
"He goes on to say that he thinks everyone, no matter how adamant in their religious beliefs, must occasionally walk down the street and see people of some other faith and wonder whether THEY'RE the ones with the right idea. The song, then, is about arriving at the gates of Heaven and being 'denied access,' (to use Glen's words) on the basis of religious denomination.
"Incidentally, Glen later went on to point out that it's actually supposed to be St. Peter, not the angel Gabriel at the gates of heaven, but the song remains as is."