I believe this song reflects the state of mind of scientists during the Age of Enlightenment. New experiments and technologies of the time allowed those pioneers to discover things for the first time that may have conflicted not only with their own beliefs, but the mainstream Christian dogma. These discoveries led to epiphanies in the scientists who began to realize religion did not fully explain the world. They were finally able to answer questions they pondered for years. I think this song essentially describes one of these scientist's epiphanies and his state of mind just before going public with the results of his experiment. "Be near when I call your name" could be the scientist's way of saying "trust me" or "stay by my side" to his companion (friend or lover perhaps). Many risked their lives pursuing their studies, not so much due to heresy (we're talking the 17th and 18th century, not the Middle Ages), but rather from being outcasted from society (and thus impoverished). What they feel "leaving their body" could be the burden of religion that has held them back. They have to relax and just breath because the burden was so heavy - it is a big change for them. "Science and visions" are just that, "science" as opposed to religion; and "visions" as opposed to faith; "visions" being what a person actually sees/witnesses (not hallucinations).
I believe this song reflects the state of mind of scientists during the Age of Enlightenment. New experiments and technologies of the time allowed those pioneers to discover things for the first time that may have conflicted not only with their own beliefs, but the mainstream Christian dogma. These discoveries led to epiphanies in the scientists who began to realize religion did not fully explain the world. They were finally able to answer questions they pondered for years. I think this song essentially describes one of these scientist's epiphanies and his state of mind just before going public with the results of his experiment. "Be near when I call your name" could be the scientist's way of saying "trust me" or "stay by my side" to his companion (friend or lover perhaps). Many risked their lives pursuing their studies, not so much due to heresy (we're talking the 17th and 18th century, not the Middle Ages), but rather from being outcasted from society (and thus impoverished). What they feel "leaving their body" could be the burden of religion that has held them back. They have to relax and just breath because the burden was so heavy - it is a big change for them. "Science and visions" are just that, "science" as opposed to religion; and "visions" as opposed to faith; "visions" being what a person actually sees/witnesses (not hallucinations).