I think this song is about searching and longing for God.
Someone on this site brought up many lyric similarities between the TVOTR song Staring at the Sun, and the Rumi poem No Room for Form (as it was translated by Coleman Barks). This intrigued me, so I began researching Rumi, and two things happened: I discovered his wonderful poetry, and learned that someone in TVOTR is definitely a fan... :)
Rumi often uses the word Love instead of God, and refers to God as "The Lover". There is an entire chapter entitled Love Dogs in a book of Rumi poetry by Coleman Barks:
"The Sufis feel that dogs are our teachers with their faithfulness."
Here is a piece of Rumi's poem Love Dogs:
"Why did you stop praying?" "Because
I've never heard anything back."
"This longing you express
is the return message."
The grief you cry out from
draws you towards union.
Your pure sadness
that wants help
is the secret cup.
Listen to the moan of a dog for it's master.
That whining is the connection.
There are love dogs
no one knows the names of.
Give your life
to be one of them.
Ok, now, that being said - Here's what I hear with I listen to this beautiful song:
Lonely little love dog that
No one knows the name of
I know why you cry out
Desperate and devout
Love dog - someone who longs for the connection with and to feel god's love: I know why you yearn so, why you remain so devout.
Timid little teether
Your eyes set on the ether
Your moon in a bella luna and
Howling hallelujah
ether = heavens, you look up at the heavens, and howl hallelujah, I think the moon reference is imagery that plays into the dog metaphor. Howling at the moon, etc'. Bella Luna actually literally means: Beautiful moon, also: Full moon. You howl you hallelujahs at the full moon.
Nameless you above me
Come lay me low and love me
This lonely little love dog
That no one knows the name of
The speaker is asking to feel god's love. Even though he's just a lonely little loyal "nobody" - a love dog, drowned in anonymity.
Curse me out in free verse - I agree with a previous poster: reference to the bible?
Wrap me up and reverse this - take me into your light, and reverse the curse - love me
Patience is a virtue
Until it's silence burns you - This again reminds me of the Rumi poem where "the silence IS the answer"
And something slow
Has started in me as - I am finding faith
Shameless as an ocean - against all odds
Mirrored in devotion - I mirror my inner faith with my devotion to you
Something slow
Has sparked up in me - repetition - still discussing finding faith
As dog cries for a master - As I long for you, God
Sparks are whirling faster - my faith burns stronger (could also be a reference to Sufism, twirling dervishes, etc...)
Lonely little love dog
That no one knows the ways of
Where the land is low is - When times are rough
Where the bones'll show through - suffering
Lonely little love dog
That no one knows the days of
Where the land is low is - When times are rough
Where the water flows to - that's when faith finds you
And holds you - and comforts you
I think this song is about searching and longing for God. Someone on this site brought up many lyric similarities between the TVOTR song Staring at the Sun, and the Rumi poem No Room for Form (as it was translated by Coleman Barks). This intrigued me, so I began researching Rumi, and two things happened: I discovered his wonderful poetry, and learned that someone in TVOTR is definitely a fan... :)
Rumi often uses the word Love instead of God, and refers to God as "The Lover". There is an entire chapter entitled Love Dogs in a book of Rumi poetry by Coleman Barks: "The Sufis feel that dogs are our teachers with their faithfulness."
Here is a piece of Rumi's poem Love Dogs:
"Why did you stop praying?" "Because I've never heard anything back."
"This longing you express is the return message."
The grief you cry out from draws you towards union.
Your pure sadness that wants help is the secret cup.
Listen to the moan of a dog for it's master. That whining is the connection.
There are love dogs no one knows the names of.
Give your life to be one of them.
Ok, now, that being said - Here's what I hear with I listen to this beautiful song:
Lonely little love dog that No one knows the name of I know why you cry out Desperate and devout
Love dog - someone who longs for the connection with and to feel god's love: I know why you yearn so, why you remain so devout.
Timid little teether Your eyes set on the ether Your moon in a bella luna and Howling hallelujah
ether = heavens, you look up at the heavens, and howl hallelujah, I think the moon reference is imagery that plays into the dog metaphor. Howling at the moon, etc'. Bella Luna actually literally means: Beautiful moon, also: Full moon. You howl you hallelujahs at the full moon.
Nameless you above me Come lay me low and love me This lonely little love dog That no one knows the name of
The speaker is asking to feel god's love. Even though he's just a lonely little loyal "nobody" - a love dog, drowned in anonymity.
Curse me out in free verse - I agree with a previous poster: reference to the bible? Wrap me up and reverse this - take me into your light, and reverse the curse - love me Patience is a virtue Until it's silence burns you - This again reminds me of the Rumi poem where "the silence IS the answer"
And something slow Has started in me as - I am finding faith Shameless as an ocean - against all odds Mirrored in devotion - I mirror my inner faith with my devotion to you
Something slow Has sparked up in me - repetition - still discussing finding faith As dog cries for a master - As I long for you, God Sparks are whirling faster - my faith burns stronger (could also be a reference to Sufism, twirling dervishes, etc...)
Lonely little love dog That no one knows the ways of Where the land is low is - When times are rough Where the bones'll show through - suffering
Lonely little love dog That no one knows the days of Where the land is low is - When times are rough Where the water flows to - that's when faith finds you And holds you - and comforts you