I really don't think the main theme is religion, I think it's more about the line between right and wrong.
In the first stanza, the speaker made some sort of mistake. Maybe he lost his job or something... And he's asking for the strength to keep his head up on his "way down". He wants to have style and grace about it instead of being a sore loser. His situation gets him thinking about his life/opinions.
In the second stanza I get the feeling he's having a discussion with someone, and admitting that he was wrong. That his lectures about the right way to do things were a waste of time. He's realising that things aren't black and white. That sometimes there isn't a clear line between the correct way to lead your life and the incorrect one.
3rd stanza: He used to think he was better than others, perhaps because he's richer, a harder worker or more successful then them, but now he realises he might be worse off. He's fallen from grace and no longer has everything figured out.
"now when we work out where to draw the line"
it seems they worked it out before, and he was sure of himself, but now this confusion is a new thing.
At the end he starts to regain hope. Maybe, just like his friend, he doesn't have to have his life's plan ready. Even though sometimes you feel all is lost, you never actually know where life and God will take you.
I really don't think the main theme is religion, I think it's more about the line between right and wrong. In the first stanza, the speaker made some sort of mistake. Maybe he lost his job or something... And he's asking for the strength to keep his head up on his "way down". He wants to have style and grace about it instead of being a sore loser. His situation gets him thinking about his life/opinions.
In the second stanza I get the feeling he's having a discussion with someone, and admitting that he was wrong. That his lectures about the right way to do things were a waste of time. He's realising that things aren't black and white. That sometimes there isn't a clear line between the correct way to lead your life and the incorrect one.
3rd stanza: He used to think he was better than others, perhaps because he's richer, a harder worker or more successful then them, but now he realises he might be worse off. He's fallen from grace and no longer has everything figured out. "now when we work out where to draw the line" it seems they worked it out before, and he was sure of himself, but now this confusion is a new thing.
At the end he starts to regain hope. Maybe, just like his friend, he doesn't have to have his life's plan ready. Even though sometimes you feel all is lost, you never actually know where life and God will take you.
@Natique I agree with your interpretion 100%
@Natique I agree with your interpretion 100%