this song is beautiful to me and any song maen anything to anyone when i listen to this sing its me saying i want to be alone with jesus then the corus then me singing to jesus saying what he gave up for me to be alone with me in spirit... i think this is so beautiful... I know God is real , and Ive never known a Man who Loved me like Jesus loves me....
This is the most peaceful, relaxing, tragic, music I have ever heard. He makes my heart melt, and no matter how much I've kept them penned in, it makes all my feelings come forth and forces me to confront them, making me a better man for it. Thank you, Sufjan, for your music, and for making me a better person.
This video is beautifully bittersweet. I love the parallels at the end, and the nice little conclusion with the painting (the guy ends up paying for it... hah.)
I don't believe in God. However I still love this song no matter what it is about. It's beautiful and it speaks to me about relationships in my own life, and if Sufjan Stevens believes in something, and because of that belief he makes something this amazing, then I say I'm happy the man has whatever relationship he does with God.
I was raised a Christian although I'm not into it anymore and usually cringe at the thought of christian stuff and when I heard this song for the first time I was like there is no way this isn't about God but nonetheless it didn't bother me at all it made me feel very at peace actually!!
You gave your body to the lonely They took your clothes You gave up a wife and a family You gave your goals To be alone with me To be alone with me To be alone with me You went up on a tree To be alone with me you went up on the tree
@lacrosseluvr711 the guy who wrote that quote did it as a sarcastic joke because somebody else said something about how online quarrels are pointless. this is how rumours get started. if you actually go and read the board you got it from, you'd know that.
ya it's art. it's not about carbon copies or quantities but interpretation, thoughts, the mind, and perception of what is produced. (in my humble opinion).
There doesn't have to be one true interpretation. Just because you assume the song holds a certain meaning doesn't mean everyone else comes to the same conclusion-- let them draw away what they want from the song.
how can it be about Jesus if it says "You gave up a wife and a family, you gave your goals." Jesus was never married. I think it's about a personal experience with a boyfriend he had/has.
Surely the interpretation is down to the listener. That's what makes great art great; it can mean so many different things to so many different people. Why be a fascist about it?
Its funny how pretty much any song by Sufjan Stevens is so easily misunderstood like this. And there's really no other way to interpret a song like this if you're not a Christian. It really does sound like it's about couples. And pretty much all of his songs are easily misunderstood like this, because basically all of them are covertly about God.
it really is not covert at the second verse ha. same with joanna newsom though, so many songs with blatant christian themes but I guess people hear what they want to.
+Jon Perhaps you're the one who misunderstands all of Sufjan Stevens' lyrics because of your obsession with God. Please stop being an obnoxious jerk and pretend that you understand what his lyrics are about, because only he does. And just because he is Christian does not mean that he applies his faith in every single song.
+Nigel Hendriks No one hears a song the same way. The messages we get from songs depend on the happenings of our every day lives. For the original poster, it may represent God, it may represent God, religion, or a number of things to Stevens as well, but each person gets something different. For others it may be about different struggles. Identity, sexuality, obstacles in life. Both of you are being ignorant of the fact that there is no misunderstanding of music, only different interpretations by different people. The closest thing you can get to misunderstanding is if you are arrogant enough to assume you know what the writer was thinking of when he wrote the song. The only way to know that for certain is if it is explicitly stated by the writer.
its a good song but its not about jesus. its about his family and life. it talks about what he would give to be with his/her bf/gf. adn when it says u gave up all that stuff its so he/she could be with the persson loves.
What a beautifully sad contrast. Verse One has a woman deserted after sex (left alone in a room - both metaphorically and literarily). After giving her most beautiful and sacred closeness (sexual intercourse) she is deserted by the man who could not face the shallowness of his erotic theft. He got what he thought he wanted but it did not complete him because of his egocentric selfishness. The women gave and the man took when in fact sex is a divine gift for both to give and receive. She longs to be held and to be ONE with him. He can not wait to be out of there - so he runs away. But his betray and her shame remain in the room (consuming and defining both of them). The first verse finds him in lament. In deep regret. And although it can never be done he desires to go back (in time) and stay with the women and experience a less shameful encounter. This desire imprisons him in the past. But he can never go back and change things - thus he is robbed of the joy of the present moment (The great and eternal power of NOW) and is living in the past (which can not be done in reality and is only conceptual). He thinks on Jesus and how beautiful and sacred Jesus is, was and will be for evermore. Jesus lived a sacrificial life staying true to the worst in humanity. Jesus gave everything he had and ended up alone, crucified for the sins of the the world. The woman in verse one and the Christ in verse two share a commonality. They both gave all, seeking union but were left alone. The man in verse one wishes he could return (so to speak - to the scene of the crime) "I'd swim across Lake Michigan" finds him willing in Spirit (but weak in flesh) to perform a physical feat often proclaimed by romantic nonsense (e.g. "I'd fly to the moon for you" - "I'd climb the highest mountain" "I'd swim the deepest ocean" etc etc). "I'd sell my shoes" finds him cursing the shoes that enabled his speedy retreat - his fast exit after sex. "I'd give my body to be back again in the rest of the room - to be alone with you" finds him in lament. If only he could "give his body" like he sold his soul. But he can't. His only hope is the forgiveness and healing offered by Jesus (who took on the punishment of his sins). For jesus "gave his body to the lonely - they took your clothes - you gave up a wife and a family - you gave your ghost (his Spirit) to be alone with me (you went upon a tree)" finds the man considering what Jesus was prepared to give in order to be alone with him in shame and despair and regret and abandonment. The man can not return to re-do his mistake but he can rise with the resurrected Jesus. He can not heal the wound inflicted on the woman - but Jesus can. Jesus is the woman betrayed and forsaken and alone AND Jesus is there to embrace the impact of the sins of the whole world. By living for the lonely jesus embraces everyone. In the first verse the two people are left alone though they sought union. In the second verse Jesus lives alone an unites everyone in his beautiful sacrificial life. Sadly the last line represents both the victim and perpetrator "I've never known the man who loved me". For none of us can comprehend the great divine sacrificial redemptive life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The woman gave her body to the lonely man and he betrayed her. Perhaps her offering was incomplete and too easily abused. But Jesus gives no such easy option. His offering is true and of a divine heart and will. Humans can never make up for past behaviour. We can only lament and seek forgiveness. In Jesus we find the one hurt and the one doing the hurt. Jesus embraces the victim and the perpetrator. In jesus we find redemption and grace - and what a price he paid for our Holy Reconciliation........................ peace Alex :)
this song is beautiful to me and any song maen anything to anyone when i listen to this sing its me saying i want to be alone with jesus then the corus then me singing to jesus saying what he gave up for me to be alone with me in spirit... i think this is so beautiful... I know God is real , and Ive never known a Man who Loved me like Jesus loves me....
This is the most peaceful, relaxing, tragic, music I have ever heard. He makes my heart melt, and no matter how much I've kept them penned in, it makes all my feelings come forth and forces me to confront them, making me a better man for it. Thank you, Sufjan, for your music, and for making me a better person.
Elliott Smith goes to Sunday School.
This video is beautifully bittersweet.
I love the parallels at the end, and the nice little conclusion with the painting (the guy ends up paying for it... hah.)
Love this!
That is a great film, really good job.
this is a gret musik video i relly lik it thank u4 listening
simply wonderful....
I don't believe in God. However I still love this song no matter what it is about. It's beautiful and it speaks to me about relationships in my own life, and if Sufjan Stevens believes in something, and because of that belief he makes something this amazing, then I say I'm happy the man has whatever relationship he does with God.
Me parece estar oyendo al querido Smith. Bonita canción la de Sufjan.
This is still so good
I was raised a Christian although I'm not into it anymore and usually cringe at the thought of christian stuff and when I heard this song for the first time I was like there is no way this isn't about God but nonetheless it didn't bother me at all it made me feel very at peace actually!!
You gave your body to the lonely
They took your clothes
You gave up a wife and a family
You gave your goals
To be alone with me
To be alone with me
To be alone with me
You went up on a tree
To be alone with me you went up on the tree
nice concept
Well said.
Who the fuck cares if it's about God or not. Music is universal, it can be interpreted in many ways; not just one.
more anger, not convinced yet
Hey there. What did you have to do to use this song for the video? Did you contact someone for w creative commons license?
@lacrosseluvr711 the guy who wrote that quote did it as a sarcastic joke because somebody else said something about how online quarrels are pointless. this is how rumours get started. if you actually go and read the board you got it from, you'd know that.
I hope every Sufjan Steven fan recognises that the video is pretty irrelevant to the concept of the song.
ya it's art. it's not about carbon copies or quantities but interpretation, thoughts, the mind, and perception of what is produced. (in my humble opinion).
By the way I really like this idea. Very clever and unexpected. And not a cross insight, lol.
Exactly
how was this song released in 2015 but this was posted in 2007 i will never understand
it was released in 2004
pretty sure this is the truth! but it's a very touching song no matter how someone wants to look at it :)
I'm confused about the music video's meaning.
im a big four eyed lamo, and i wear the same stoopid sweater every day...
...to the river!
There doesn't have to be one true interpretation. Just because you assume the song holds a certain meaning doesn't mean everyone else comes to the same conclusion-- let them draw away what they want from the song.
though this video is a misrepresentation of what the song means, I appreciate your artistic representation.
Demolition brought me here
nawmean the O.C sends me here about 10 years Ago , but demolition ... was really good . Peace.
@YourfriendHannnah well you should not look at it. Yust listen to the music
Wait... what was that with the cigarette?? hahaha... sorry. Other than that (strange).. this was an interesting interpretation of the song. :)
Is that Jay Bulger?
Demolition has sent me here ...
Dječaci - Za bebu
how can it be about Jesus if it says "You gave up a wife and a family, you gave your goals." Jesus was never married. I think it's about a personal experience with a boyfriend he had/has.
100o likes for making a Sufjan Stevens music video!!!!
@emmskaa heeheehee
I love me
some Elliott Smith influenced stuff now. ya dig!
Surely the interpretation is down to the listener. That's what makes great art great; it can mean so many different things to so many different people. Why be a fascist about it?
Its funny how pretty much any song by Sufjan Stevens is so easily misunderstood like this. And there's really no other way to interpret a song like this if you're not a Christian. It really does sound like it's about couples. And pretty much all of his songs are easily misunderstood like this, because basically all of them are covertly about God.
it really is not covert at the second verse ha. same with joanna newsom though, so many songs with blatant christian themes but I guess people hear what they want to.
Yes, they are all spiritual, about God, but God is love too, so if you feel love for someone, this song makes sense to you that way.
Mariana De vita
Shrek is love, shrek is life.
+Jon Perhaps you're the one who misunderstands all of Sufjan Stevens' lyrics because of your obsession with God. Please stop being an obnoxious jerk and pretend that you understand what his lyrics are about, because only he does. And just because he is Christian does not mean that he applies his faith in every single song.
+Nigel Hendriks No one hears a song the same way. The messages we get from songs depend on the happenings of our every day lives. For the original poster, it may represent God, it may represent God, religion, or a number of things to Stevens as well, but each person gets something different. For others it may be about different struggles. Identity, sexuality, obstacles in life. Both of you are being ignorant of the fact that there is no misunderstanding of music, only different interpretations by different people. The closest thing you can get to misunderstanding is if you are arrogant enough to assume you know what the writer was thinking of when he wrote the song. The only way to know that for certain is if it is explicitly stated by the writer.
@emmskaa thats RACIST and i HATE racists!!! Why is everyone so RACIST??????
its a good song but its not about jesus. its about his family and life. it talks about what he would give to be with his/her bf/gf. adn when it says u gave up all that stuff its so he/she could be with the persson loves.
I don’t think this song is about god, I think it’s about trafficking and sexual abuse. But you interpret it how you will, that’s just how i see it.
What a beautifully sad contrast.
Verse One has a woman deserted after sex (left alone in a room - both metaphorically and literarily). After giving her most beautiful and sacred closeness (sexual intercourse) she is deserted by the man who could not face the shallowness of his erotic theft. He got what he thought he wanted but it did not complete him because of his egocentric selfishness. The women gave and the man took when in fact sex is a divine gift for both to give and receive. She longs to be held and to be ONE with him. He can not wait to be out of there - so he runs away. But his betray and her shame remain in the room (consuming and defining both of them).
The first verse finds him in lament. In deep regret. And although it can never be done he desires to go back (in time) and stay with the women and experience a less shameful encounter. This desire imprisons him in the past. But he can never go back and change things - thus he is robbed of the joy of the present moment (The great and eternal power of NOW) and is living in the past (which can not be done in reality and is only conceptual).
He thinks on Jesus and how beautiful and sacred Jesus is, was and will be for evermore. Jesus lived a sacrificial life staying true to the worst in humanity. Jesus gave everything he had and ended up alone, crucified for the sins of the the world.
The woman in verse one and the Christ in verse two share a commonality. They both gave all, seeking union but were left alone.
The man in verse one wishes he could return (so to speak - to the scene of the crime) "I'd swim across Lake Michigan" finds him willing in Spirit (but weak in flesh) to perform a physical feat often proclaimed by romantic nonsense (e.g. "I'd fly to the moon for you" - "I'd climb the highest mountain" "I'd swim the deepest ocean" etc etc).
"I'd sell my shoes" finds him cursing the shoes that enabled his speedy retreat - his fast exit after sex.
"I'd give my body to be back again in the rest of the room - to be alone with you" finds him in lament. If only he could "give his body" like he sold his soul. But he can't.
His only hope is the forgiveness and healing offered by Jesus (who took on the punishment of his sins). For jesus "gave his body to the lonely - they took your clothes - you gave up a wife and a family - you gave your ghost (his Spirit) to be alone with me (you went upon a tree)" finds the man considering what Jesus was prepared to give in order to be alone with him in shame and despair and regret and abandonment. The man can not return to re-do his mistake but he can rise with the resurrected Jesus. He can not heal the wound inflicted on the woman - but Jesus can. Jesus is the woman betrayed and forsaken and alone AND Jesus is there to embrace the impact of the sins of the whole world. By living for the lonely jesus embraces everyone.
In the first verse the two people are left alone though they sought union. In the second verse Jesus lives alone an unites everyone in his beautiful sacrificial life.
Sadly the last line represents both the victim and perpetrator "I've never known the man who loved me". For none of us can comprehend the great divine sacrificial redemptive life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The woman gave her body to the lonely man and he betrayed her. Perhaps her offering was incomplete and too easily abused. But Jesus gives no such easy option. His offering is true and of a divine heart and will. Humans can never make up for past behaviour. We can only lament and seek forgiveness. In Jesus we find the one hurt and the one doing the hurt. Jesus embraces the victim and the perpetrator. In jesus we find redemption and grace - and what a price he paid for our Holy Reconciliation........................ peace Alex :)
This song is NOT about couples, it's about Jesus. You took something deep and made it superficial.