I think Jeff Tweedy said that this song was put together using words and phrases from 19th century American poetry (including Emily Dickinson). that certainly comes across: "Mine eyes have seen the fury.." is reminiscent of "mine eyes have seen the glory..." from the Battle Hymn of the Republic by Julia Ward Howe.
also, the line "I was born to die alone" is meant in a defiant, triumphant way. It's great that Jeff is in a place where he can see that we're more alive when we recognise our mortality rather than deny it.
I think Jeff Tweedy said that this song was put together using words and phrases from 19th century American poetry (including Emily Dickinson). that certainly comes across: "Mine eyes have seen the fury.." is reminiscent of "mine eyes have seen the glory..." from the Battle Hymn of the Republic by Julia Ward Howe.
also, the line "I was born to die alone" is meant in a defiant, triumphant way. It's great that Jeff is in a place where he can see that we're more alive when we recognise our mortality rather than deny it.