I kinda wonder how much this song is a cry for help, in reaction to their label taking creative control of the band. I don't know for sure whether that's happened, but that's the message I always hear from this.
Here's my reading: Josh, a founder of Showbread and its driving force ("this thing was built with one of my ribs / I was there when it was given a name"), is lamenting the changes that have been forced upon the band ("I've been overpowered by those who took it away / it doesn't even look the same /
those hired in to intervene and supervise it's size /
do plot against the weakened will before the weak ones realize"); i.e., toning down the screaming ("they stick tacky ornaments on it and they sell it to the kids"), as well as the primary color change from red to green ("they paint it colors I can't stand but they will not touch its heart").
He's concerned but ultimately confident about what will happen when he answers to God for Showbread's actions at the final judgment ("when I answer to the one who gave the bones to me / I want to say I cared for them, and say it honestly"). He also wants to make it clear that God is still working through the band even after the changes (" the voice within still rattles the bones / the voice still resonates").
I kinda wonder how much this song is a cry for help, in reaction to their label taking creative control of the band. I don't know for sure whether that's happened, but that's the message I always hear from this.
Here's my reading: Josh, a founder of Showbread and its driving force ("this thing was built with one of my ribs / I was there when it was given a name"), is lamenting the changes that have been forced upon the band ("I've been overpowered by those who took it away / it doesn't even look the same / those hired in to intervene and supervise it's size / do plot against the weakened will before the weak ones realize"); i.e., toning down the screaming ("they stick tacky ornaments on it and they sell it to the kids"), as well as the primary color change from red to green ("they paint it colors I can't stand but they will not touch its heart").
He's concerned but ultimately confident about what will happen when he answers to God for Showbread's actions at the final judgment ("when I answer to the one who gave the bones to me / I want to say I cared for them, and say it honestly"). He also wants to make it clear that God is still working through the band even after the changes (" the voice within still rattles the bones / the voice still resonates").