This song is about a yearly pilgrimage made to Magdalena, a town in Sonora, one of the Mexican states, every year. In the historic church is a famous statue of San Francis Xavier, though it is meant to be Saint Francis of Assai--it is kinda complicated. Look it up, and any of the other names or terms I mention below, for more background. The best background piece on the pilgrimage I found was here http://borderzine.com/2010/04/mandas-a-magdalena/ (I hope this site accepts links.) This song rests tons of religious history and theory. Seriously, you could write, and many have, books on the topics touched on in this song. More than a few wars have been fought over the ideas expressed too. I can give you a quick taste, though.
It is easiest to break down by verse.
Please don't tell me I can't make it
It ain't gonna do me any good
And please don't offer me your modern methods
I'm fixin' to carve this out of wood
Historically the journey to Magdalena was often very hard. Poorer people would beg on their way even. This narrator isn’t giving up. He’s going to do the walk. “Please don’t offer me your modern methods” might be a reference to getting there in easier transportation these days, but I think it is a reference to the redemption the narrator seeks. Asking a saint for a blessing is an old-school, Catholic way of seeking redemption. The Protestant Reformation and Martin Luther’s 95 Theses turn mainly on stuff like this. Martin Luther was upset that some of the Catholic clergy had sold “indulgences” to the local people for forgiveness, that they thought they had to buy forgiveness, which had already been offered by Christ. They merely had ask for it and then to earn it by repentance, not cash. The best modern illustration is something like carbon offsets for environmentalists. They believe in lowering carbon emissions but think that by paying for their own continued emissions that they don’t actually have to work at reducing their own emissions. That is, they can buy the privilege to keep sinning yet tell themselves that they are doing well, all the while the only practical result is a bunch of authority types get richer. The Catholic Church of the time had many similar issues. ML wrote up a list of such grievances and posted it for discussion. That began the Protestant Reformation.
Protestants believe that you gain forgiveness by personally asking for it and repenting--trying to stop sinning. So the narrator is refusing the new way of asking forgiveness and going to do it the old way, do some task and then ask for a saint’s blessing. “Carve this out of wood” might be a reference to the St. Francis statue’s feet being wood, or just to old skilled craftsmanship.
This verse shows how BF can write lyrics that can be taken multiple ways by listeners. If you are Catholic, for example you can listen and think he is celebrating this pilgrimage--I’m seeking redemption in the tradition of my ancestors. Many commenters on this thread get that vibe from the song. If you are Protestant, and I am, then you can pick up a sigh of frustration feel from this song; the frustration of trying to explain that you don’t have to go through this for redemption.


From Nogales to Magdalena
There are 60 miles of sacred road
And the promise is made to those who venture
San Francisco will lift your load
This is just background on the journey. Go there, ask St. Francis for forgiveness and it will be granted.



In the land of old Sonora
A shallow river valley cries
The summer left her without forgiveness
It's mirrored in her children's eyes
Sonora is the state in Mexico where Magdalena is. It is a desert. For Protestants, baptism is a baptism of belief--it is done on confession of belief in God, not when you are born or join the church. This is such a big deal to some denominations that it is why Baptists are called Baptists. Furthermore, for many denominations, Baptists and Mormons included, baptism is essential and requires a full dunking so the valley “left without forgiveness” is a land without water. “Mirrored in her children’s eyes” I think refers to the holes and emptiness in the lives of people without God in their lives. This is a land that misunderstands the path to salvation, therefore, for all the formality and festivity the people are still empty. Note well, I don’t mean to start a Catholic and Protestant war on the web. If you have ever wondered why Catholics and Protestants fought so often in history, this is the crux of it. Does man need an intercessor, an authority, before God? Protestants give, and have given, a resounding ‘No!‘ This is a big deal, something that has driven hundreds of years of Western history, and BF has written a pop song about it. The man has some serious cojones.


Prodigal sons and wayward daughters
Carry Mandas that they might
be delivered from the depths of darkness
And born again by candlelight
And born again by candlelight
Sinners, prodigal sons and wayward daughters are Biblical references, come with Mandas, desire for a miracle or forgiveness. They whisper them in the statue’s ear, kiss his head and receive his blessing. 

Blisters on my feet
Wooden rosary
I felt them in my pocket as I ran
Physical realities of the journey, burdens that you carry. 


A bullet in the night
A federales's life
San Francisco do you understand?
Historically Sonora has seen much violence. This is a reference the drug traffickers and the resulting violence in the Sonora desert today. Because of its remoteness, drug cartels can easily hide there. There is so much violence now that the main company that does tours for the old Missions including Magdalena, is thinking about stopping. Many of the real baddies in Mexico come seeking forgiveness. This, I think, is the Mandas of some drug cartel baddie asking forgiveness for shooting a cop.



Tell him that I made the journey
And tell him that my heart is true
I'd like his blessing of forgiveness
Before the angels send it through
Tell Saint Francis that I did it and I’m sincere; bless me. Once again, if you are Protestant this verse is sad because someone is asking forgiveness of from a middleman.


And I will know that I am clean now
And I will dance and the band will play
In the old Artu Cantina
Cups will runneth over the ancient clay

And if I should fall to temptation
When I return to evil throws
From Nogales to Magdalena
As a two time beggar I will go
Where I know I can be forgiven
the broken heart of Mexico
The broken heart of Mexico
The broken heart of Mexico
I’ll treat these two verses together. Whereas the previous verse is sad because people don’t need a middleman for forgiveness, this one hits at one of the two major obstacles* to redemption, not trying. One will not be redeemed by merely asking for forgiveness. One must try to reform. What are blisters on your feet, a cross in your pocket, and a sincere heart to the difficulty of actually changing your ways? After the whispering in the ear of the saint, there is a big party in the town. The verse suggests of an attitude like, ‘God forgives. Why should I worry about being good. I can go ask for forgiveness again. As a two time beggar I will go. Let's go party!’ And things never change. That’s why this is the “broken heart of Mexico.”
*In case you are wondering, the other major obstacle to redemption is pride. It is one thing to be proud of an accomplishment, of a job well done. It is entirely another to think that means you are all that. To quote CS Lewis, “The trouble begins when you pass from thinking, ‘I have pleased him: all is well,” to thinking, ‘What a fine person I must be to have done it.’ If you are that kind of proud, then you are too busy with keeping up appearances, so to speak, that you can’t see God. It is like focusing on your SATs and college admissions rather than what kind of person you will be when you are 35.
Like I said, this isn't your typical pop song. Not by a long shot.
Great job. I wanted to explain this after reading the comments a few days ago, but my experience with pilgrimages is more in el camino de Santiago than Mexico and didn't want to talk about something I wasn't an expert on, even if I knew the comments were a little off.
Great job. I wanted to explain this after reading the comments a few days ago, but my experience with pilgrimages is more in el camino de Santiago than Mexico and didn't want to talk about something I wasn't an expert on, even if I knew the comments were a little off.
I agree with much of what you say although I think you may be a little off base with a one or two things.
Catholics do not ask saints for forgiveness. They pray for the saint's intercession, kind of like praying with the saint. A pilgrimage is a common way of seeking this intercession. I do not know much of this particular pilgrimage but most pilgrimages are a fairly substantial challenge. The challenge and the suffering are there to bring one closer to God and the destination is a place of religious significance, usually a saint's shrine. upon finishing the pilgrimage,...
I agree with much of what you say although I think you may be a little off base with a one or two things.
Catholics do not ask saints for forgiveness. They pray for the saint's intercession, kind of like praying with the saint. A pilgrimage is a common way of seeking this intercession. I do not know much of this particular pilgrimage but most pilgrimages are a fairly substantial challenge. The challenge and the suffering are there to bring one closer to God and the destination is a place of religious significance, usually a saint's shrine. upon finishing the pilgrimage, one is exhausted both mentally and physically. They pray not to the saint, but rather with the saint, in this case for forgiveness. The saint is not a middleman. there is no dilution of the presence of God in prayer. The saint's intercession is seeked because they are one who is with God and the power of prayer is multiplied by every body, heavenly or earthly, praying the same prayer. the verse beginning with "Tell him that I made the journey..." is not implying that the pilgrim wishes to tell saint francis that he made the journey, it is begging of saint francis to intercede with him, telling God that he made the journey (but of course God already knows). The pilgrim's faith and religious attitude are probably not very strong, but the desire for forgiveness clearly is. It is not sad to pray with a saint for God's forgiveness. The sadness in this song is, as you said, when the speaker says that he may fall to temptation once more. of course we are all subject to temptation, but it is the attitude with which he approaches his forgiveness that is the problem. he heart may be in his pilgrimage, but the forgeveness is not complete if the pilgrim's remorse is not strong enought to keep him from relapsing. the problem is the line "where I know I will be forgiven". Catholics know that this is not the way things work. It is an unfortunate attitude adopted by people who do not truly put their hearts in what they believe. The pilgrimage is a very noble thing in itself, and the intention of the pilgrimage is noble. the forgiveness is real and the spirituality is true. However, like with all doctrines, there are some who do not truly understand what they do and the attitude of the pilgrim might not be noble.
to AHLondon and Lowellorr. Lot's of insight here from both of you. I think you both have the right idea about this beautiful song. There is one point, however, that I think both of you are misinterpreting. It is this idea that somehow the "Pilgrim" is insincere about his repentence. Or perhaps you are suggesting that the lines,
to AHLondon and Lowellorr. Lot's of insight here from both of you. I think you both have the right idea about this beautiful song. There is one point, however, that I think both of you are misinterpreting. It is this idea that somehow the "Pilgrim" is insincere about his repentence. Or perhaps you are suggesting that the lines,
"And I will know that I am clean now. And I will dance and the band will play"
"And I will know that I am clean now. And I will dance and the band will play"
somehow represent a critisism of societies lacks attitude toward repentence. To me those lyrics represent the joy that comes after...
somehow represent a critisism of societies lacks attitude toward repentence. To me those lyrics represent the joy that comes after sincere repentence. Remember that the "Pilgrim" denounced the "Modern Methods" He wasn't looking for a shortcut. He did it the old fashioned way and walked 60 miles. I think if you look at the message of the song from start to finish you will see that song represents a tale of true redemption. The "Pilgrim" of course knows that he is fallible and will likely sin again (as we all do) but he is at peace with that because he understands (albeit on a basic level) the true nature of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which is this - that God knows we will sin all throughout our life, but he is prepared to forgive us every time that we sincerely repent. Yes, even if we make the same mistakes over and over again. Hypocrisy and spiritual weakness are not the same thing. Your attitude is what determines which one defines you. One other insight to backup the point is found in the last verse of the song.
"And if I should fall to temptation when I return to evil throes
From Nogales to Magdalena
As a two time beggar
I will go where I know I can be forgiven
The broken heart of Mexico"
Here the "Pilgrim" is saying emphatically that he will repent again and continue to repent as the need arises. The very last line "The broken heart of mexico" is not indicative of the sad and demoralized state of Mexico, but rather the humility of the people. Scripturally, a "broken heart" denotes humility, not sadness or misery. I, like Brandon Flowers, am a Mormon. I can tell you that this phrase "broken heart appears most notably in the Book of Mormon (2nd Nephi chapter 2 verse 7) and that it refers specifically to the conditions of reprentance. It says,"Behold, he offereth himself a a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a BROKEN HEART and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered." So again, this song isn't meant to be critical, or to call out the hypocrites. It is simply a tale of beautiful repentance and redemption told from the perspective of Sonoran Mexicans who are in the catholic tradition. Also, watch Brandon sing this tale. Notice how much he smiles when he sings it. He exudes joy, happiness, and sincerity. These are the fruits of sincere repentance. What a beautiful message. Even the though the world are hard place, full of trials and temptations, grace is available to us. Forgiveness is attainable. This song means so much to me. It causes me to reflect on my own state, and need of repentance. I think that was pretty much the idea Brandon Flowers had in mind when he wrote it :) I hope somebody found this giant rambling helpful
I really appreciated all of your insights and comments. I love how even across differing religions, there are still so many parallels that can be drawn. To me this song shows how the process of repentance is anything but easy, but when done right is more than worth it. I think this song shows a lot about who Brandon Flowers is as a musician and as a person. (Flowers gives some insight into his beliefs here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PF0h7oqUEQ).
I really appreciated all of your insights and comments. I love how even across differing religions, there are still so many parallels that can be drawn. To me this song shows how the process of repentance is anything but easy, but when done right is more than worth it. I think this song shows a lot about who Brandon Flowers is as a musician and as a person. (Flowers gives some insight into his beliefs here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PF0h7oqUEQ).
This song is about a yearly pilgrimage made to Magdalena, a town in Sonora, one of the Mexican states, every year. In the historic church is a famous statue of San Francis Xavier, though it is meant to be Saint Francis of Assai--it is kinda complicated. Look it up, and any of the other names or terms I mention below, for more background. The best background piece on the pilgrimage I found was here http://borderzine.com/2010/04/mandas-a-magdalena/ (I hope this site accepts links.) This song rests tons of religious history and theory. Seriously, you could write, and many have, books on the topics touched on in this song. More than a few wars have been fought over the ideas expressed too. I can give you a quick taste, though.
It is easiest to break down by verse.
Please don't tell me I can't make it
It ain't gonna do me any good
And please don't offer me your modern methods
I'm fixin' to carve this out of wood Historically the journey to Magdalena was often very hard. Poorer people would beg on their way even. This narrator isn’t giving up. He’s going to do the walk. “Please don’t offer me your modern methods” might be a reference to getting there in easier transportation these days, but I think it is a reference to the redemption the narrator seeks. Asking a saint for a blessing is an old-school, Catholic way of seeking redemption. The Protestant Reformation and Martin Luther’s 95 Theses turn mainly on stuff like this. Martin Luther was upset that some of the Catholic clergy had sold “indulgences” to the local people for forgiveness, that they thought they had to buy forgiveness, which had already been offered by Christ. They merely had ask for it and then to earn it by repentance, not cash. The best modern illustration is something like carbon offsets for environmentalists. They believe in lowering carbon emissions but think that by paying for their own continued emissions that they don’t actually have to work at reducing their own emissions. That is, they can buy the privilege to keep sinning yet tell themselves that they are doing well, all the while the only practical result is a bunch of authority types get richer. The Catholic Church of the time had many similar issues. ML wrote up a list of such grievances and posted it for discussion. That began the Protestant Reformation.
Protestants believe that you gain forgiveness by personally asking for it and repenting--trying to stop sinning. So the narrator is refusing the new way of asking forgiveness and going to do it the old way, do some task and then ask for a saint’s blessing. “Carve this out of wood” might be a reference to the St. Francis statue’s feet being wood, or just to old skilled craftsmanship.
This verse shows how BF can write lyrics that can be taken multiple ways by listeners. If you are Catholic, for example you can listen and think he is celebrating this pilgrimage--I’m seeking redemption in the tradition of my ancestors. Many commenters on this thread get that vibe from the song. If you are Protestant, and I am, then you can pick up a sigh of frustration feel from this song; the frustration of trying to explain that you don’t have to go through this for redemption.


From Nogales to Magdalena
There are 60 miles of sacred road
And the promise is made to those who venture
San Francisco will lift your load This is just background on the journey. Go there, ask St. Francis for forgiveness and it will be granted.


 In the land of old Sonora
A shallow river valley cries
The summer left her without forgiveness
It's mirrored in her children's eyes Sonora is the state in Mexico where Magdalena is. It is a desert. For Protestants, baptism is a baptism of belief--it is done on confession of belief in God, not when you are born or join the church. This is such a big deal to some denominations that it is why Baptists are called Baptists. Furthermore, for many denominations, Baptists and Mormons included, baptism is essential and requires a full dunking so the valley “left without forgiveness” is a land without water. “Mirrored in her children’s eyes” I think refers to the holes and emptiness in the lives of people without God in their lives. This is a land that misunderstands the path to salvation, therefore, for all the formality and festivity the people are still empty. Note well, I don’t mean to start a Catholic and Protestant war on the web. If you have ever wondered why Catholics and Protestants fought so often in history, this is the crux of it. Does man need an intercessor, an authority, before God? Protestants give, and have given, a resounding ‘No!‘ This is a big deal, something that has driven hundreds of years of Western history, and BF has written a pop song about it. The man has some serious cojones.


Prodigal sons and wayward daughters
Carry Mandas that they might
be delivered from the depths of darkness
And born again by candlelight
And born again by candlelight Sinners, prodigal sons and wayward daughters are Biblical references, come with Mandas, desire for a miracle or forgiveness. They whisper them in the statue’s ear, kiss his head and receive his blessing. 

Blisters on my feet
Wooden rosary
I felt them in my pocket as I ran Physical realities of the journey, burdens that you carry. 


A bullet in the night
A federales's life
San Francisco do you understand? Historically Sonora has seen much violence. This is a reference the drug traffickers and the resulting violence in the Sonora desert today. Because of its remoteness, drug cartels can easily hide there. There is so much violence now that the main company that does tours for the old Missions including Magdalena, is thinking about stopping. Many of the real baddies in Mexico come seeking forgiveness. This, I think, is the Mandas of some drug cartel baddie asking forgiveness for shooting a cop.


 Tell him that I made the journey
And tell him that my heart is true
I'd like his blessing of forgiveness
Before the angels send it through Tell Saint Francis that I did it and I’m sincere; bless me. Once again, if you are Protestant this verse is sad because someone is asking forgiveness of from a middleman.


And I will know that I am clean now
And I will dance and the band will play
In the old Artu Cantina
Cups will runneth over the ancient clay

And if I should fall to temptation
When I return to evil throws
From Nogales to Magdalena
As a two time beggar I will go
Where I know I can be forgiven the broken heart of Mexico
The broken heart of Mexico
The broken heart of Mexico I’ll treat these two verses together. Whereas the previous verse is sad because people don’t need a middleman for forgiveness, this one hits at one of the two major obstacles* to redemption, not trying. One will not be redeemed by merely asking for forgiveness. One must try to reform. What are blisters on your feet, a cross in your pocket, and a sincere heart to the difficulty of actually changing your ways? After the whispering in the ear of the saint, there is a big party in the town. The verse suggests of an attitude like, ‘God forgives. Why should I worry about being good. I can go ask for forgiveness again. As a two time beggar I will go. Let's go party!’ And things never change. That’s why this is the “broken heart of Mexico.”
*In case you are wondering, the other major obstacle to redemption is pride. It is one thing to be proud of an accomplishment, of a job well done. It is entirely another to think that means you are all that. To quote CS Lewis, “The trouble begins when you pass from thinking, ‘I have pleased him: all is well,” to thinking, ‘What a fine person I must be to have done it.’ If you are that kind of proud, then you are too busy with keeping up appearances, so to speak, that you can’t see God. It is like focusing on your SATs and college admissions rather than what kind of person you will be when you are 35.
Like I said, this isn't your typical pop song. Not by a long shot.
Great job. I wanted to explain this after reading the comments a few days ago, but my experience with pilgrimages is more in el camino de Santiago than Mexico and didn't want to talk about something I wasn't an expert on, even if I knew the comments were a little off.
Great job. I wanted to explain this after reading the comments a few days ago, but my experience with pilgrimages is more in el camino de Santiago than Mexico and didn't want to talk about something I wasn't an expert on, even if I knew the comments were a little off.
I agree with much of what you say although I think you may be a little off base with a one or two things. Catholics do not ask saints for forgiveness. They pray for the saint's intercession, kind of like praying with the saint. A pilgrimage is a common way of seeking this intercession. I do not know much of this particular pilgrimage but most pilgrimages are a fairly substantial challenge. The challenge and the suffering are there to bring one closer to God and the destination is a place of religious significance, usually a saint's shrine. upon finishing the pilgrimage,...
I agree with much of what you say although I think you may be a little off base with a one or two things. Catholics do not ask saints for forgiveness. They pray for the saint's intercession, kind of like praying with the saint. A pilgrimage is a common way of seeking this intercession. I do not know much of this particular pilgrimage but most pilgrimages are a fairly substantial challenge. The challenge and the suffering are there to bring one closer to God and the destination is a place of religious significance, usually a saint's shrine. upon finishing the pilgrimage, one is exhausted both mentally and physically. They pray not to the saint, but rather with the saint, in this case for forgiveness. The saint is not a middleman. there is no dilution of the presence of God in prayer. The saint's intercession is seeked because they are one who is with God and the power of prayer is multiplied by every body, heavenly or earthly, praying the same prayer. the verse beginning with "Tell him that I made the journey..." is not implying that the pilgrim wishes to tell saint francis that he made the journey, it is begging of saint francis to intercede with him, telling God that he made the journey (but of course God already knows). The pilgrim's faith and religious attitude are probably not very strong, but the desire for forgiveness clearly is. It is not sad to pray with a saint for God's forgiveness. The sadness in this song is, as you said, when the speaker says that he may fall to temptation once more. of course we are all subject to temptation, but it is the attitude with which he approaches his forgiveness that is the problem. he heart may be in his pilgrimage, but the forgeveness is not complete if the pilgrim's remorse is not strong enought to keep him from relapsing. the problem is the line "where I know I will be forgiven". Catholics know that this is not the way things work. It is an unfortunate attitude adopted by people who do not truly put their hearts in what they believe. The pilgrimage is a very noble thing in itself, and the intention of the pilgrimage is noble. the forgiveness is real and the spirituality is true. However, like with all doctrines, there are some who do not truly understand what they do and the attitude of the pilgrim might not be noble.
to AHLondon and Lowellorr. Lot's of insight here from both of you. I think you both have the right idea about this beautiful song. There is one point, however, that I think both of you are misinterpreting. It is this idea that somehow the "Pilgrim" is insincere about his repentence. Or perhaps you are suggesting that the lines,
to AHLondon and Lowellorr. Lot's of insight here from both of you. I think you both have the right idea about this beautiful song. There is one point, however, that I think both of you are misinterpreting. It is this idea that somehow the "Pilgrim" is insincere about his repentence. Or perhaps you are suggesting that the lines,
"And I will know that I am clean now. And I will dance and the band will play"
"And I will know that I am clean now. And I will dance and the band will play"
somehow represent a critisism of societies lacks attitude toward repentence. To me those lyrics represent the joy that comes after...
somehow represent a critisism of societies lacks attitude toward repentence. To me those lyrics represent the joy that comes after sincere repentence. Remember that the "Pilgrim" denounced the "Modern Methods" He wasn't looking for a shortcut. He did it the old fashioned way and walked 60 miles. I think if you look at the message of the song from start to finish you will see that song represents a tale of true redemption. The "Pilgrim" of course knows that he is fallible and will likely sin again (as we all do) but he is at peace with that because he understands (albeit on a basic level) the true nature of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which is this - that God knows we will sin all throughout our life, but he is prepared to forgive us every time that we sincerely repent. Yes, even if we make the same mistakes over and over again. Hypocrisy and spiritual weakness are not the same thing. Your attitude is what determines which one defines you. One other insight to backup the point is found in the last verse of the song.
"And if I should fall to temptation when I return to evil throes From Nogales to Magdalena As a two time beggar I will go where I know I can be forgiven The broken heart of Mexico"
Here the "Pilgrim" is saying emphatically that he will repent again and continue to repent as the need arises. The very last line "The broken heart of mexico" is not indicative of the sad and demoralized state of Mexico, but rather the humility of the people. Scripturally, a "broken heart" denotes humility, not sadness or misery. I, like Brandon Flowers, am a Mormon. I can tell you that this phrase "broken heart appears most notably in the Book of Mormon (2nd Nephi chapter 2 verse 7) and that it refers specifically to the conditions of reprentance. It says,"Behold, he offereth himself a a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a BROKEN HEART and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered." So again, this song isn't meant to be critical, or to call out the hypocrites. It is simply a tale of beautiful repentance and redemption told from the perspective of Sonoran Mexicans who are in the catholic tradition. Also, watch Brandon sing this tale. Notice how much he smiles when he sings it. He exudes joy, happiness, and sincerity. These are the fruits of sincere repentance. What a beautiful message. Even the though the world are hard place, full of trials and temptations, grace is available to us. Forgiveness is attainable. This song means so much to me. It causes me to reflect on my own state, and need of repentance. I think that was pretty much the idea Brandon Flowers had in mind when he wrote it :) I hope somebody found this giant rambling helpful
I really appreciated all of your insights and comments. I love how even across differing religions, there are still so many parallels that can be drawn. To me this song shows how the process of repentance is anything but easy, but when done right is more than worth it. I think this song shows a lot about who Brandon Flowers is as a musician and as a person. (Flowers gives some insight into his beliefs here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PF0h7oqUEQ).
I really appreciated all of your insights and comments. I love how even across differing religions, there are still so many parallels that can be drawn. To me this song shows how the process of repentance is anything but easy, but when done right is more than worth it. I think this song shows a lot about who Brandon Flowers is as a musician and as a person. (Flowers gives some insight into his beliefs here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PF0h7oqUEQ).