i know frank isn't a christian, but i know various religious traditions influence his songwriting. i've always taken this song to be somewhat about jesus. not really a preachy song, just one from jesus' perspective.
the first part is jesus accepting his fate. he begs his father to allow him to avoid his death but nothing changs (i could not pray). his followers abandoned him when the romans came after him (couldn't get no witness). then jesus eventually accepts his father's will and his fate (then a voice ... said you've got to carry it on). he takes up his cross to go up to his crucifixion (out along the way, i got so bogged down).
the point of his visit is to carry him on. carry on his teaching to achieve salvation for the masses whom without his sacrifice would be left in sheoul without being granted entrance into the eternal kingdom (your noose is gonna break when i am there).
then the bridge part about "no memphis, no nepal, etc" i'm assuming is a reference to the second coming and inevitable apocalypse.
perhaps this interpretation just got formulated in my head watching the video though with the street preacher and "the end is neigh" sign.
i know frank isn't a christian, but i know various religious traditions influence his songwriting. i've always taken this song to be somewhat about jesus. not really a preachy song, just one from jesus' perspective.
the first part is jesus accepting his fate. he begs his father to allow him to avoid his death but nothing changs (i could not pray). his followers abandoned him when the romans came after him (couldn't get no witness). then jesus eventually accepts his father's will and his fate (then a voice ... said you've got to carry it on). he takes up his cross to go up to his crucifixion (out along the way, i got so bogged down).
the point of his visit is to carry him on. carry on his teaching to achieve salvation for the masses whom without his sacrifice would be left in sheoul without being granted entrance into the eternal kingdom (your noose is gonna break when i am there).
then the bridge part about "no memphis, no nepal, etc" i'm assuming is a reference to the second coming and inevitable apocalypse.
perhaps this interpretation just got formulated in my head watching the video though with the street preacher and "the end is neigh" sign.