I am 99% sure this is a song of an argument/struggle between a theist and an unbeliever.
The chorus saying we are machineries of joy is stating the person's views that we are created by someone and are of/for joy. The whole parts with the fleshy existence to me are almost clearly about an ardent atheist.
"With primitive ablutions Like a hobbyist of deranged proportion"
"You are a vision of extraordinary contortion An athletic form of warm distortion"- Basically saying the other person is deranged in his/her views.
"The win is yours We failed again"
The person the lyrics concern is basically tired of arguing with the other person
"The fleshy existence you keep
To yourself is secure"
This means the unbeliever believes in no soul and feels secure with his/her views.
The whole part with "Tell me what he said"
this one is tricky but I think it's a play of words, the meaning of "he" changes here. At first the he is some person the unbeliever believes in and the reaction is "I don't care what he says", then later there is one line "It's only what he said
And we can make it better"
I think this one is about God.
"Help is on the way" - help is on the way for the atheist
"it's a kind of vision" - the theist sees something (in the atheist) affirming his views.
After this song I have a feeling the mentions of finding God in the song "It ended on an oily stage" were literal, and that song could actually be about faith too.
Interesting take. I can kind of see it given the inspirational source material — Ray Bradbury’s short story of the same name, which is about conflict and reconciliation among a group of priests. That material, however, suggests to me that the meaning of the song is spiritual, but broader than just atheist/believer. I too think it is a dialogue. But between a believer constricted by the orthodoxy of organized religion and a believer free from that orthodoxy. I think the “he” in “tell me what he said” is God.
Interesting take. I can kind of see it given the inspirational source material — Ray Bradbury’s short story of the same name, which is about conflict and reconciliation among a group of priests. That material, however, suggests to me that the meaning of the song is spiritual, but broader than just atheist/believer. I too think it is a dialogue. But between a believer constricted by the orthodoxy of organized religion and a believer free from that orthodoxy. I think the “he” in “tell me what he said” is God.
I am 99% sure this is a song of an argument/struggle between a theist and an unbeliever.
The chorus saying we are machineries of joy is stating the person's views that we are created by someone and are of/for joy. The whole parts with the fleshy existence to me are almost clearly about an ardent atheist.
"With primitive ablutions Like a hobbyist of deranged proportion"
"You are a vision of extraordinary contortion An athletic form of warm distortion"- Basically saying the other person is deranged in his/her views.
"The win is yours We failed again" The person the lyrics concern is basically tired of arguing with the other person
"The fleshy existence you keep To yourself is secure"
This means the unbeliever believes in no soul and feels secure with his/her views.
The whole part with "Tell me what he said"
"Help is on the way" - help is on the way for the atheist "it's a kind of vision" - the theist sees something (in the atheist) affirming his views.
After this song I have a feeling the mentions of finding God in the song "It ended on an oily stage" were literal, and that song could actually be about faith too.
Good song, I like the Sea of Brass version.
@Vyper I can't agree more. Nice explanation of the song and that's what I heard about.
@Vyper I can't agree more. Nice explanation of the song and that's what I heard about.
Interesting take. I can kind of see it given the inspirational source material — Ray Bradbury’s short story of the same name, which is about conflict and reconciliation among a group of priests. That material, however, suggests to me that the meaning of the song is spiritual, but broader than just atheist/believer. I too think it is a dialogue. But between a believer constricted by the orthodoxy of organized religion and a believer free from that orthodoxy. I think the “he” in “tell me what he said” is God.
Interesting take. I can kind of see it given the inspirational source material — Ray Bradbury’s short story of the same name, which is about conflict and reconciliation among a group of priests. That material, however, suggests to me that the meaning of the song is spiritual, but broader than just atheist/believer. I too think it is a dialogue. But between a believer constricted by the orthodoxy of organized religion and a believer free from that orthodoxy. I think the “he” in “tell me what he said” is God.