I agree with those who think it's about a lover dying of cancer. The only reason Samson and the bible are mentioned is because Samson got his strength from his hair, and when her friend, who was on chemo, lost his hair, he lost his strength too (from the illness and from the chemo treatments). She says "the bible didn't mention us" because in her eyes, their story was epic and tragic and deserved to be remembered. "The history books" forgot about him, just another victim of cancer, but Regina never did, and she never will. He is her most bittersweet memory (sweetest downfall). When she says she loved him first, she doesn't mean she loved him before some other girl came along. She means she loved him before she loved anyone else. He was the first.
I 'plussed' this interpretation, but the more I think about it, the more I think this doesn't fit it. For example: There is no real hint the cancer, and why she has to go. If he had cancer, it would be far more logical to write that he had to go.
I 'plussed' this interpretation, but the more I think about it, the more I think this doesn't fit it. For example: There is no real hint the cancer, and why she has to go. If he had cancer, it would be far more logical to write that he had to go.
The not being mentioned in the history books, because they didn't bring any columns down, could also mean: If you don't do anything radical then you won't be remembered.
The not being mentioned in the history books, because they didn't bring any columns down, could also mean: If you don't do anything radical then you won't be remembered.
History books tend to mention the bad guys but leave out the good guys. Everybody knows the names of aggressors like Hitler, Napoleon, Ceasar, but who knows their opponents' names? Who knows the names of the peaceful people who lived then? They are forgotten and that is wrong and that is why she sings it with a sour tone.
I agree with those who think it's about a lover dying of cancer. The only reason Samson and the bible are mentioned is because Samson got his strength from his hair, and when her friend, who was on chemo, lost his hair, he lost his strength too (from the illness and from the chemo treatments). She says "the bible didn't mention us" because in her eyes, their story was epic and tragic and deserved to be remembered. "The history books" forgot about him, just another victim of cancer, but Regina never did, and she never will. He is her most bittersweet memory (sweetest downfall). When she says she loved him first, she doesn't mean she loved him before some other girl came along. She means she loved him before she loved anyone else. He was the first.
I 'plussed' this interpretation, but the more I think about it, the more I think this doesn't fit it. For example: There is no real hint the cancer, and why she has to go. If he had cancer, it would be far more logical to write that he had to go.
I 'plussed' this interpretation, but the more I think about it, the more I think this doesn't fit it. For example: There is no real hint the cancer, and why she has to go. If he had cancer, it would be far more logical to write that he had to go.
The not being mentioned in the history books, because they didn't bring any columns down, could also mean: If you don't do anything radical then you won't be remembered.
The not being mentioned in the history books, because they didn't bring any columns down, could also mean: If you don't do anything radical then you won't be remembered.
History books tend to mention the bad guys but leave out the good guys. Everybody knows the names of aggressors like Hitler, Napoleon, Ceasar, but who knows their opponents' names? Who knows the names of the peaceful people who lived then? They are forgotten and that is wrong and that is why she sings it with a sour tone.