Death with Dignity is a powerful, emotive and ultimately haunting song those author is attempting to grapple with the death of his mother. The choral music at the end is a great touch. It is also the lead song of Sufjan Stevens new album.
The author as his mother’s child is now alone and trying to find the best way to remember her despite the troubled relationship they once had (“I don’t know…”). He feels she should have protected him more (Amethyst, a symbol of protection). He is alone (dessert) but among others (forest)-one can imagine a funeral reception (flowers on the table). Also parts of the album were recorded in Oregon and Wisconsin. He feels a distance from the gathering but also the relationship itself (acres before us).
The body will be cremated (chimney sweep). But her memory will remain, as will his searching for context (Searchlight). I think the line should be “Silhouette on the Cedar” Cedar is a traditional symbol of protection, endurance and spirituality. “Tired old mare” is his mother. She wasn’t perfect but was always there, and that gave him strength. But life is fleeting and answers are not always found (“in the willows’). She does leave a family (“five red hens” perhaps). She does leave a mark on him (aberration passes…”). The author knows he must move on and decides to forgive her, whatever her trespasses.
@dougGraves86 I love this interpretation. I think it does a lot of justice to a complicated song that expresses emotions that are to big to really write down
@dougGraves86 I love this interpretation. I think it does a lot of justice to a complicated song that expresses emotions that are to big to really write down
Death with Dignity is a powerful, emotive and ultimately haunting song those author is attempting to grapple with the death of his mother. The choral music at the end is a great touch. It is also the lead song of Sufjan Stevens new album.
The author as his mother’s child is now alone and trying to find the best way to remember her despite the troubled relationship they once had (“I don’t know…”). He feels she should have protected him more (Amethyst, a symbol of protection). He is alone (dessert) but among others (forest)-one can imagine a funeral reception (flowers on the table). Also parts of the album were recorded in Oregon and Wisconsin. He feels a distance from the gathering but also the relationship itself (acres before us).
The body will be cremated (chimney sweep). But her memory will remain, as will his searching for context (Searchlight). I think the line should be “Silhouette on the Cedar” Cedar is a traditional symbol of protection, endurance and spirituality. “Tired old mare” is his mother. She wasn’t perfect but was always there, and that gave him strength. But life is fleeting and answers are not always found (“in the willows’). She does leave a family (“five red hens” perhaps). She does leave a mark on him (aberration passes…”). The author knows he must move on and decides to forgive her, whatever her trespasses.
What else can be done as all life ends in death.
@dougGraves86 I love this interpretation. I think it does a lot of justice to a complicated song that expresses emotions that are to big to really write down
@dougGraves86 I love this interpretation. I think it does a lot of justice to a complicated song that expresses emotions that are to big to really write down
@dougGraves86 Also I think it S/B "Somewhere in the desert there's a forest, and a maker before us"
@dougGraves86 Also I think it S/B "Somewhere in the desert there's a forest, and a maker before us"