I always thought "Don't give it away" meant, well, of course you're bigger than Jesus, but you don't need to say so. In that way that a father would think his kid's the best thing ever, but also want to teach him humility.
I always thought "Don't give it away" meant, well, of course you're bigger than Jesus, but you don't need to say so. In that way that a father would think his kid's the best thing ever, but also want to teach him humility.
@Rickvee This is a well crafted song. Perhaps I don't fully understand that last line, but it certainly moves me. I think the line is something to do with pride and respect of one's self. Maybe he's saying your a man now and its ok/even right to make people earn your respect rather than just giving it away.
@Rickvee This is a well crafted song. Perhaps I don't fully understand that last line, but it certainly moves me. I think the line is something to do with pride and respect of one's self. Maybe he's saying your a man now and its ok/even right to make people earn your respect rather than just giving it away.
@Rickvee My interpretation was same as "trashcanpoet", as in, yes your are bigger than jesus (and make sure you know that), but don't act like it, stay humble.
@Rickvee My interpretation was same as "trashcanpoet", as in, yes your are bigger than jesus (and make sure you know that), but don't act like it, stay humble.
@Rickvee I think it is a line about self respect and knowing one's own worth. If you have it, the people around you will know without you needing to tell them. And if you have to tell them, you probably aren't as big as you think you are.
@Rickvee I think it is a line about self respect and knowing one's own worth. If you have it, the people around you will know without you needing to tell them. And if you have to tell them, you probably aren't as big as you think you are.
@Rickvee - it's a sly bit of double-meaning by Isbell. If you interpret the line in relation to the previous line, it would mean "don't let on that you are actually more important to people than Jesus". If, on the other hand, you interpret the line all by itself it would mean "don't play music for free". The latter makes sense when you consider that young bands are often asked to play for free on the grounds that it will "give them exposure" (or something similar).
@Rickvee - it's a sly bit of double-meaning by Isbell. If you interpret the line in relation to the previous line, it would mean "don't let on that you are actually more important to people than Jesus". If, on the other hand, you interpret the line all by itself it would mean "don't play music for free". The latter makes sense when you consider that young bands are often asked to play for free on the grounds that it will "give them exposure" (or something similar).
The line I'm not sure I get is:
"Don't tell em you're bigger than Jesus/Don't give it away."
The "don't give it away" part? Give what away?
Btw, this is easily one of my all-time favorite songs. Unreal.
I always thought "Don't give it away" meant, well, of course you're bigger than Jesus, but you don't need to say so. In that way that a father would think his kid's the best thing ever, but also want to teach him humility.
I always thought "Don't give it away" meant, well, of course you're bigger than Jesus, but you don't need to say so. In that way that a father would think his kid's the best thing ever, but also want to teach him humility.
Or...don't give away your talent. (But I've always leaned toward trachcan's interpretation.)
Or...don't give away your talent. (But I've always leaned toward trachcan's interpretation.)
I think he was talking about his Dad telling him don't give away the values and where you came from. Awesome line!
I think he was talking about his Dad telling him don't give away the values and where you came from. Awesome line!
@Rickvee This is a well crafted song. Perhaps I don't fully understand that last line, but it certainly moves me. I think the line is something to do with pride and respect of one's self. Maybe he's saying your a man now and its ok/even right to make people earn your respect rather than just giving it away.
@Rickvee This is a well crafted song. Perhaps I don't fully understand that last line, but it certainly moves me. I think the line is something to do with pride and respect of one's self. Maybe he's saying your a man now and its ok/even right to make people earn your respect rather than just giving it away.
@Rickvee I always took "don't give it away" to be a sarcastic remark from the father to a son who believes he is better than.
@Rickvee I always took "don't give it away" to be a sarcastic remark from the father to a son who believes he is better than.
@Rickvee My interpretation was same as "trashcanpoet", as in, yes your are bigger than jesus (and make sure you know that), but don't act like it, stay humble.
@Rickvee My interpretation was same as "trashcanpoet", as in, yes your are bigger than jesus (and make sure you know that), but don't act like it, stay humble.
@Rickvee I think it is a line about self respect and knowing one's own worth. If you have it, the people around you will know without you needing to tell them. And if you have to tell them, you probably aren't as big as you think you are.
@Rickvee I think it is a line about self respect and knowing one's own worth. If you have it, the people around you will know without you needing to tell them. And if you have to tell them, you probably aren't as big as you think you are.
@Rickvee - it's a sly bit of double-meaning by Isbell. If you interpret the line in relation to the previous line, it would mean "don't let on that you are actually more important to people than Jesus". If, on the other hand, you interpret the line all by itself it would mean "don't play music for free". The latter makes sense when you consider that young bands are often asked to play for free on the grounds that it will "give them exposure" (or something similar).
@Rickvee - it's a sly bit of double-meaning by Isbell. If you interpret the line in relation to the previous line, it would mean "don't let on that you are actually more important to people than Jesus". If, on the other hand, you interpret the line all by itself it would mean "don't play music for free". The latter makes sense when you consider that young bands are often asked to play for free on the grounds that it will "give them exposure" (or something similar).