(That's How You Sing) Amazing Grace

In regards to the second verse: I think that it might be a reference to a few of the original lyrics from Amazing Grace: "Amazing grace / how sweet the sound / that saved a wretch like me". In this case, that "sweet sound" of grace is "like razors" in the listener's ears. He hears the sounds of redemption, but because he is so wedded to his vice, the thought of being redeemed is painful to him.

hauntingly beautiful. it personally reminds me of a few friends and the futile pursuit of happiness through drugs...

amen

this song makes a mess of me but i could listen to it all day. its meaning is probably as the other posters have said, but i can't help but be reminded of my friend who committed suicide a few months ago.

Such an amazing song!! All of their lyrics touch me in some way. Wish they weren't as famous as they are now. I was able to see them twice in Iowa, sitting on the floor the entire show and getting to go up and ask questions afterwards. Just memories I will never forget, just like this song. Alan and Mimi are the kindest musicians I have met in years.

oh god, it's so trite to have a beautiful somg about heroin, but Alan does it so well, it's not trite at all anymore.

this song destroys me.

I made a fanvid out of this song about Jack Harkness from 'Doctor Who', about his painful past and the fact that he can't die, about the fact that something he wants to. I had to listen to this song over 96 times to complete the vid, I still love it and listen to it every chance I get. Now that is saying something. Gorgeous song.

This song comes from the deepest, darkest place. It's a minimal universe, ever expanding. The hymn Amazing Grace is about salvation and the song lifts several lines directly from it, but the song adds more depth to the meaning of the term.

"Amazing grace" here is the achievement of a transcendence from normal Earthy experience to something profoundly beautiful. In the first verse the girl achieves this by having the high of all highs (always thought it was "Swallowed up the land..."). The spike reference in the first verses obviously relates to heroin, but I think the subject of the song goes beyond that.

The second verse is much harder to interpret. It seems to be about someone who has been suffering from tinnitus for years; perhaps when the time comes when the incessant ringing finally stops is when the transcendence will take place. The "give it all away" line suggests that this may be attained by suicide.

The last verse quotes from the hymn and to me seems to describe the actual "Amazing grace" being experienced, whatever led to it. It seems to be a shareable experience ("Can you hear..."?), perhaps falling in love (some say that falling in love with someone is like returning "home" - I was lost but now I'm found). I always heard it as "Sometimes there's nothing left to say" which to me relates simply to the comfortable silence enjoyed by lovers.

Amazing song.

its amazing how cold and desolate this sounds, like a dreary wnter night. i live in this song

First verse: a description of the addiction and suicide/accidental death of a friend Second verse: Anger at God, the friend, and the world - the hymn "Amazing Grace" was sung at her funeral was saccharine and provided no comfort Third verse: As worthless as he feels, he feels his god's grace and forgiveness