I think any interpretation of this song being related to a religious rebirth or being sung to God is a little misquided and definitely projective of your own personal beliefs.
If the narrator of the song is really singing to God, he/she probably wouldn't be referring to Him as "Darlin'" constantly. Or, if you were thinking that it was God singing those stanzas, I doubt He would be calling the narrator of the song "Darlin'" either. Joanna is more clever with her words than that.
Plus, all references to faith and the bible are near-mocking. The narrator quotes the bible "in jest" and admits that faith makes him/her a dope, although I personally believe that second line refers to the narrator's faith in a particular person who isn't really deserving of trust, rather than a divine being.
@hudsucker You're right in that she's clearly referring to a real person (I would say lover) but don't discount the biblical references so quickly. Newsom is notorious for references and this song is full of them.
@hudsucker You're right in that she's clearly referring to a real person (I would say lover) but don't discount the biblical references so quickly. Newsom is notorious for references and this song is full of them.
For example, which verse of Matthew is she referring to?
For example, which verse of Matthew is she referring to?
A few come to mind:
A few come to mind:
One of the most famous is 7:7-8: "Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened"
One of the most famous is 7:7-8: "Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened"
Which is a...
Which is a wonderfully bitter line to say to someone who doesn't (or can't) return your love (*see Go Long)
But there's another interesting verse that actually relates to what you, Hudsucker, were saying about faith in a particular person who isn't deserving of trust:
7:15: "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."
Which is immediately followed by: "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles?"
Anyway, I think we can have it both ways. It's about hope and faith in general, and religious faith, specifically, is used to communicate the narrator's cynicism.
I think any interpretation of this song being related to a religious rebirth or being sung to God is a little misquided and definitely projective of your own personal beliefs.
If the narrator of the song is really singing to God, he/she probably wouldn't be referring to Him as "Darlin'" constantly. Or, if you were thinking that it was God singing those stanzas, I doubt He would be calling the narrator of the song "Darlin'" either. Joanna is more clever with her words than that.
Plus, all references to faith and the bible are near-mocking. The narrator quotes the bible "in jest" and admits that faith makes him/her a dope, although I personally believe that second line refers to the narrator's faith in a particular person who isn't really deserving of trust, rather than a divine being.
No, I think is more personal/human than that.
Thank you! You said it perfectly. I swear some people can find religious ties to toast (oh wait, they do that too).
Thank you! You said it perfectly. I swear some people can find religious ties to toast (oh wait, they do that too).
Despite a few religious references, the song is pretty clearly about human love. Glad I'm not the only one to see that!
Despite a few religious references, the song is pretty clearly about human love. Glad I'm not the only one to see that!
@hudsucker You're right in that she's clearly referring to a real person (I would say lover) but don't discount the biblical references so quickly. Newsom is notorious for references and this song is full of them.
@hudsucker You're right in that she's clearly referring to a real person (I would say lover) but don't discount the biblical references so quickly. Newsom is notorious for references and this song is full of them.
For example, which verse of Matthew is she referring to?
For example, which verse of Matthew is she referring to?
A few come to mind:
A few come to mind:
One of the most famous is 7:7-8: "Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened"
One of the most famous is 7:7-8: "Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened"
Which is a...
Which is a wonderfully bitter line to say to someone who doesn't (or can't) return your love (*see Go Long)
But there's another interesting verse that actually relates to what you, Hudsucker, were saying about faith in a particular person who isn't deserving of trust:
7:15: "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."
Which is immediately followed by: "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles?"
Anyway, I think we can have it both ways. It's about hope and faith in general, and religious faith, specifically, is used to communicate the narrator's cynicism.