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May 2, 2015
May 2, 2015
"
Who tramples through the mud
Who fills his mouth with laughing
And who builds his town with blood
Whose visions in the final end
Must shatter like the glass
Who fills his mouth with laughing
And who builds his town with blood
Whose visions in the final end
Must shatter like the glass
This person laughs. Arrogantly, in the face of destiny and a final reckoning. He or she tramples on others to make his or her way and achieve selfish satisfaction. In the end, however, there is no escaping a final reckoning, when all their self-importance and wealth or power will mean nothing. They will be as they were when they entered the world, naked and helpless before God.
May 2, 2015
May 2, 2015
"
Who wishes he would've stayed home
Who uses all his power to do evil
But in the end is always left so alone
That man whom with his fingers cheats
And who lies with ev'ry breath
Who passionately hates his life
And likewise fears his death
Who uses all his power to do evil
But in the end is always left so alone
That man whom with his fingers cheats
And who lies with ev'ry breath
Who passionately hates his life
And likewise fears his death
This is a human being who doesn't see or value the gift of life and simply focuses on venal and material pursuits and satisfactions thus paying no attention to spiritual needs and those actions and engagements that provide real satisfaction and value in life.
May 2, 2015
May 2, 2015
May 2, 2015
I think that the immigrant in this song is you or I. The "I" doing the singing is "God". There really is no pity here or, if so, it is somewhat sarcastic pity for the immigrant (person) who travels through life without conforming to God's instructions will suffer a terrible fate - "...when his gladness comes to pass." i.e. at the end of his or her life at the time of final judgment.
On another level, however, it seems to me to simply express a real compassion for all human beings who by the very nature of being alive must face the many complications of life and continual choices about how to make a good life for themselves whilst still caring for and respecting others. To me, in that sense, the song is a metaphor highlighting the helplessness and relative impotence of human beings as compared with the natural universe and sympathising with their lot, yet acknowledging that each person does have choices about how to live and cautioning that fulfillment will come from following true values rather than superficial, venal and material ones.