Till Victory Lyrics

Lyric discussion by EatingPie 

Cover art for Till Victory lyrics by Patti Smith

Patti Smith never ceases to amaze me. She has something offensive for everyone. Rock N' Roll Nigger for the Staunch Conservative, the judgmental Christian, the bigoted Redneck. Dead on!

But what has she for you, the dyed-in-the-wool Liberal, unyielding atheist, the science-minded, the enlightened few?

Why, Christ's Second Coming of course! 'Til Victory.

Rend the veil and we shall sail The nail, the grail That's all behind thee In deed, in creed

cross), the veil (in the temple) rended at Christ's death, the grail (eternal life) at Christ's resurrection. That's the first victory, 2000 years ago (behind thee, Christ). Be without Shame and feel free to join in, to take charge, take aim at this first victory!

The second victory is later, when fate unwinds and souls arise... when Christ returns.

Fate Unwinds. Souls arise. God do not seize me please 'Til victory." ... Legions of light Virtuous flight Ignite, excite

(What could be more virtuous than the final victory of Good over Evil?)

I saw heaven standing open (raise the sky) and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. (Virtuous in flight) He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven (Legions of Light) were following him (in V formation), riding on white horses (through the sky) and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. -Rv. 19:11-14

'Til Victory! Amen.

Object! Reject! But do so in Truth! Ask yourself why you would. Maybe the idea is too far-fetched, too poorly argued. Touche! But is that all? Or is it simply just too offensive to contemplate Patti Smith singing of the Second Coming?

-Pie

Song Meaning

Here is the corrected text for the mistake after the first citation.

Rend the veil and we shall sail The nail, the grail That's all behind thee In deed, in creed

Ah, verses reminiscent of Biblical images of the crucifixion! The nail (in the cross), the veil (in the temple) rended at Christ's death, the grail (eternal life) at Christ's resurrection. That's the first victory, 2000 years ago (behind thee, Christ). Be without Shame and feel free to join in, to take charge, take aim at this first victory!