"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. "
when you make that connection the religious undertones of this song really jump out. it makes the "father's work" into gods work, and given the context of the biblical reference, into (leading others towards) a childlike humility and religious piety. Jesse places this in contrast to new sin (and not just sin, but leading others to sin as well…does jesse see himself as a false idol, leading others in some unholy way? I don’t know if I believe this, but its interesting to think about). i think this song, as well as much of this album, is about understanding the complicated balance of one's own morality. Its about understanding oneself in terms of this morality as well as that of religious morality. He’s caught in limbo, both wanting death (take me out tonight) and life (throw me that lifeline, to save my life…), wanting to give himself over to good but feeling unable or unworthy of repentance.
Complicated song, and a complicated album. But in a really amazing way.
from Matthew, chapter 18, verse 4 and 5:
"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. "
when you make that connection the religious undertones of this song really jump out. it makes the "father's work" into gods work, and given the context of the biblical reference, into (leading others towards) a childlike humility and religious piety. Jesse places this in contrast to new sin (and not just sin, but leading others to sin as well…does jesse see himself as a false idol, leading others in some unholy way? I don’t know if I believe this, but its interesting to think about). i think this song, as well as much of this album, is about understanding the complicated balance of one's own morality. Its about understanding oneself in terms of this morality as well as that of religious morality. He’s caught in limbo, both wanting death (take me out tonight) and life (throw me that lifeline, to save my life…), wanting to give himself over to good but feeling unable or unworthy of repentance.
Complicated song, and a complicated album. But in a really amazing way.