I feel that this is one of Daniel's more striking songs-the arrangement is very sparse and the lyrics touch on several themes that have appeared multiple times throughout Daniel's songwriting career. This song also provides a pretty direct window into Daniel's psyche, referencing his religious beliefs mostly. The Abilene reference refers to his first stint away from home, when he went to and subsequently quit Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. The passages mentioning the New Jerusalem, number 7, forehead and hands, and defeat of the devil all reference Bible eschatology and touch on Daniel's lifelong obsession with certain numbers-he speaks frequently of the numbers 6 (Satan), 7 (Jesus/God), and 9(the Beatles as best I can gather).
I feel that this is one of Daniel's more striking songs-the arrangement is very sparse and the lyrics touch on several themes that have appeared multiple times throughout Daniel's songwriting career. This song also provides a pretty direct window into Daniel's psyche, referencing his religious beliefs mostly. The Abilene reference refers to his first stint away from home, when he went to and subsequently quit Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. The passages mentioning the New Jerusalem, number 7, forehead and hands, and defeat of the devil all reference Bible eschatology and touch on Daniel's lifelong obsession with certain numbers-he speaks frequently of the numbers 6 (Satan), 7 (Jesus/God), and 9(the Beatles as best I can gather).