I think this song is about Dustin and how his Christian message keeps being denied by 'fans' who would like to think of this music they like as purely secular (i guess because it's not cool to be Christian)
I know I would get tired of people continually refusing to acknowledge the Christian message of my music (you see a LOT of this, even on this site right here, even for songs that are unambiguously Christian) and engaging in mental backflips to find interpretations that point to something other than Christ (lookin' at you, wowzers99 on the internet!). It's true that Thrice are an amazing band with a vast repertoire of incredible music, only some of which is overtly Christian, and most of it can be meaningfully interpreted in other ways. But i often read comments on some songs and have to struggle to keep my eyes from rolling back into my head at some of the willful misinterpretation of what is clearly and plainly Christian messaging, much of which comes from a place of disdain for that message. so when Dustin sings:
"LISTEN to me! I speak truly!"
I'm hearing him urge us to accept that he his who he is and he is conveying a Christian message. Major/Minor is an album that is straight up Christian almost to a song. it's wall to wall bible references and Jesus metaphors, people! it's the most blatant album yet for this stuff!
"though i speak of sober things"
he knows you want all the songs to be about breakups (i'm guessing most of you people are teenagers, because everybody wants every song to be about a breakup apparently) but he's straight up telling you in this song, "yeah, i write songs about Jesus. I want you to accept that and accept Him."
For whatever reason, some people can't enjoy music that is Christian. in the PC world christianity is offensive. so those people will do all kinds of mental gymnastics to pretend that this music they like, because it's Thrice and it's awesome, isn't Christian so they can keep enjoying it. to you, Dustin says"
"This story's an offense
So get down from that fence
And bless or curse"
in other words, yes, my music IS an offense (it's Christian) so quit pretending it's this or that, preserving the 'ambiguity' which justifies your appreciation if you won't let yourself appreciate that message... admit it is what it is and either embrace it or don't.
and this section:
"see these ragged shoes the soles are worn straight through while i proclaimed"
tells you that his music has been coming from this place THE WHOLE TIME. just in case there are those people out there like, 'meh i liked thrice in the early days before it got all Christian'.
of course i think most people i'm ranting against won't get the message anyway, but there's my take on it.
I think this song is about Dustin and how his Christian message keeps being denied by 'fans' who would like to think of this music they like as purely secular (i guess because it's not cool to be Christian)
I know I would get tired of people continually refusing to acknowledge the Christian message of my music (you see a LOT of this, even on this site right here, even for songs that are unambiguously Christian) and engaging in mental backflips to find interpretations that point to something other than Christ (lookin' at you, wowzers99 on the internet!). It's true that Thrice are an amazing band with a vast repertoire of incredible music, only some of which is overtly Christian, and most of it can be meaningfully interpreted in other ways. But i often read comments on some songs and have to struggle to keep my eyes from rolling back into my head at some of the willful misinterpretation of what is clearly and plainly Christian messaging, much of which comes from a place of disdain for that message. so when Dustin sings: "LISTEN to me! I speak truly!" I'm hearing him urge us to accept that he his who he is and he is conveying a Christian message. Major/Minor is an album that is straight up Christian almost to a song. it's wall to wall bible references and Jesus metaphors, people! it's the most blatant album yet for this stuff! "though i speak of sober things" he knows you want all the songs to be about breakups (i'm guessing most of you people are teenagers, because everybody wants every song to be about a breakup apparently) but he's straight up telling you in this song, "yeah, i write songs about Jesus. I want you to accept that and accept Him."
For whatever reason, some people can't enjoy music that is Christian. in the PC world christianity is offensive. so those people will do all kinds of mental gymnastics to pretend that this music they like, because it's Thrice and it's awesome, isn't Christian so they can keep enjoying it. to you, Dustin says"
"This story's an offense So get down from that fence And bless or curse"
in other words, yes, my music IS an offense (it's Christian) so quit pretending it's this or that, preserving the 'ambiguity' which justifies your appreciation if you won't let yourself appreciate that message... admit it is what it is and either embrace it or don't.
and this section: "see these ragged shoes the soles are worn straight through while i proclaimed" tells you that his music has been coming from this place THE WHOLE TIME. just in case there are those people out there like, 'meh i liked thrice in the early days before it got all Christian'.
of course i think most people i'm ranting against won't get the message anyway, but there's my take on it.