Stipe grew up in the Deep South, in an extremely religious part of the country. I have no doubt believing that he went to church as a child whether he wanted to or not. As a result a seemingly strict lifestyle was laid out for him to follow (hence the narrow path, which he would ultimately refrain or depart from later on —— most likely in his teens or early 20’s).
This narrow path of expectations had been laid out for him according to strict rules, regulations, and guidelines by the church. But when he got older he realized he couldn’t be himself and also follow these strict rules, regulations, and guidelines. These was a huge discrepancy there that he needed to come to terms with.
And so I honestly believe this is about Stipe abandoning his faith as a result of all of these things. Other clues allude to this also —— the reference to the little lamb is another giveaway.
Anyway, the notion of losing one’s faith has been an on-again, off-again theme for this band through the years.
Interestingly, go back to New Adventures in Hi-Fi and listen to New Test Leper. He makes a reference to Christians as ‘His lambs’ (“…have His lambs all gone astray…”?) ….. And here again we see another example of Christ’s children being referred to as lambs. Which is a Biblical reference (I.e. —- The story or parable of The Lost Sheep)
My Take:
Stipe grew up in the Deep South, in an extremely religious part of the country. I have no doubt believing that he went to church as a child whether he wanted to or not. As a result a seemingly strict lifestyle was laid out for him to follow (hence the narrow path, which he would ultimately refrain or depart from later on —— most likely in his teens or early 20’s).
This narrow path of expectations had been laid out for him according to strict rules, regulations, and guidelines by the church. But when he got older he realized he couldn’t be himself and also follow these strict rules, regulations, and guidelines. These was a huge discrepancy there that he needed to come to terms with.
And so I honestly believe this is about Stipe abandoning his faith as a result of all of these things. Other clues allude to this also —— the reference to the little lamb is another giveaway.
Anyway, the notion of losing one’s faith has been an on-again, off-again theme for this band through the years.
Interestingly, go back to New Adventures in Hi-Fi and listen to New Test Leper. He makes a reference to Christians as ‘His lambs’ (“…have His lambs all gone astray…”?) ….. And here again we see another example of Christ’s children being referred to as lambs. Which is a Biblical reference (I.e. —- The story or parable of The Lost Sheep)
[Edit: Additional]