drummer4916 This one did me in: "I am man with a heart that offends with its lonely and greedy demands." This album is going to change a lot of people I think. It will be an album that marks a point in history in a lot of people's lives. It will be nostalgia. I feel pretty certain. It has already done that to me. I'll hear this song years from now and remember a fleeting moment in my 34th year.
i had a neighbour, an old man that ended up being a family friend, he was lonely but he was always smiling along with his dog. he would always greet me when he left for work on his truck, until suddenly he passed away one night. I played this song when i got the news and now every time i listen to it i remember him, i remember how lovely yet lonely he was, mr benitez i hope you know you were loved.
Sorry for generalizing, and I don’t even know his origins, but Latino people always tend to be sooo nice and open, even when they’re struggling with difficulties of their own! Such loving people the most of them are to my experience !
“Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?”― Tennessee Williams
Are we to speak, first day of the week Stumbling words at the bar Beauty blue eyes, my order of fries Long island kindness and wine Beloved of John, I get it all wrong I read you for some kind of poem Covered in lines, the fossils I find Have they no life of their own? So can we pretend sweetly Before the mystery ends? I am a man with a heart that offends With its lonely and greedy demands There's only a shadow of me, in a manner of speaking I'm dead Such a waste, your beautiful face Stumbling carpet arise Go follow your gem, your white feathered friend Icarus, point to the sun If history speaks of two baby teeth I'm painting the hills blue and red They said beware, Lord hear my prayer I've wasted my throes on your head So can we be friends sweetly Before the mystery ends? I love you more than the world can contain In its lonely and ramshackle head There's only a shadow of me, in a manner of speaking I'm dead I'm holding my breath My tongue on your chest What can be said of my heart? If history speaks, the kiss on my cheek Where there remains but a mark Beloved my John, so I'll carry on Counting my cards down to one And when I am dead, come visit my bed My fossil is bright in the sun So can we contend, peacefully Before my history ends? Jesus I need you, be near me, come shield me From fossils that fall on my head There's only a shadow of me, in a matter of speaking I'm dead
I love this song and interpret it as an ex-lover story. But today something clicked in my brain and I realized it's also about John as the Jesus disciple. Love Sufjan Stevens lyrics, they never cease to amaze me.
@@Justin-fb7ni lots of stuff: One aunt of mine was heavily into drugs in 1970s and 80s. She happened to become a Jehovah’s Witness after talking to one. She cleaned up her whole act and stopped all the drugs and even cigarettes. Yes it’s unfortunate she got into a horrible crazy religion, but this shows that in her case it was actually a good thing for her. If I was atheist, I would still promote Christianity to people. Because people are dumb and selfish and wrong and egotistical. Would you agree? People tend to be immoral without fear of God and they will do horrible evil things or deeds. But yes religious people do very bad deeds also. But religion is created by people not God. Many religious people who do bad things are not listening to God. You shouldn’t attach to God the bad things religious humans do. The world needs less religion and more true followers of God. But what’s really funny and ironic is that this song is about John the Beloved. Who was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. But many people believe that John the Beloved was in fact a gay man. And there’s a lot of evidence from that time that suggests he was. And then a lot of those people who believe that, many of them also believe or ponder that Jesus was his lover. And there’s a good bit of evidence from that time that suggests that too. The artist who made this song is a gay Christian (or bi idk). I am too. People get dogmatic and stuff, and they judge gay people. But God told them not to judge, but they still do it anyways. But you can’t attach what people are doing, you can’t attach that to God and blame God for the “followers” that are doing what God said not to do! Also the bad side, the devil and his followers, they like to infiltrate the churches so that they can do these bad things and make God look bad. I understand why you feel the way you do about it all. And I hope you will understand what I am saying. I just thought this comment was really ironic and funny because of the circumstances I explained above! Like how it’s about John the Beloved and the theories some people have about him. & How the artist is a gay Christian and so am I and the thoughts and things that come from it when you have religion who judges us for being gay. It’s hard! If you read it thank you.
I'm so happy for Sufjie. There shouldn't be happiness in the tragedies and the losses in life, but he's the proof that we can create from the ashes of our memories and beloved ones. I'm definitely getting this album.
"There shouldn't be happiness in the tragedies and the losses in life, but he's the proof that we can create from the ashes of our memories and beloved ones." damn, thats everything i could never seem to put into words
This song is so hauntingly and heartbreakingly beautiful. And, although it is referring to religion, specifically Jesus, you can also interpret it as a melancholic love song (to a man named John).
John was the little light who announced the big light as in Jesus. So the moon as John announces the Sun (Son) the light of the world. John was dark (with out light)
I think that all the songs which we don't know if are about religion or love are about both. I think Sufjan compares his experiences with those of biblical passages.
Ugh yea but yet again look at songs such as The Owl and The Tanager All of Me Wants All of You Wasps All for Myself Size too small Mouth of Gabriel? I’m not sure on that one tbh The biblical references or alliterations may be present in some of the ones above but I see these songs mostly fixed on that love And the mixture of both love and Jesus To Be Alone With You I’m in love with his music...
Yeah like ‘the song of songs’ in the bible is literally one of the greatest passages about love. It’s name itself implies it’s the greatest song of all songs, and the words can be interpreted as a human’s love for another human, or as an allegory of religious love as well
The thing about stories from the Bible, or from Greek mythology or anything going back far enough is that they happen in a kind of time and space which is so long ago that it almost loops back around and becomes right now. It's difficult to explain, but the stories become such a part of us that they infuse the things we do every day. So it's not necessarily about comparing your experiences to them, it can be about feeling them singing into being *through* your experiences, if that makes sense. In some of these songs you can't have the love without the religion, and you can't have the religion without the love because it's all tied together so personally. I think.
This song, especially the opening, always paint a very vivid image in my mind. An old diner along a derelict route somewhere in the US, it's been the same since it opened in the 60s or 70s with no renovation happening at any point. The windows are dirty and don't let too much light in. A man sitting at the bar or in one of the booths who sinks into thought as he's brought his order of fries, with the lyrics all happening in his head.
This song in particular just pulled my soul from my body to stare at something I don't really understand, but yet I can feel it. This song is amazing. It's so sad, so hopeful, so real.
"Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written." (John 21:25)
My favorite song on this album... so beautiful and heartbreaking. Impossible to resist; I sat and shamelessly cried like a little child upon hearing it performed live.
+Kia Yee You wasted your time. It is so sweet you care enough to take the time logging onto all of your accounts. Too bad nobody agrees with you. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
This whole album give me GOOSEBUMPS. That little space where everything overlaps is captured with such perfection. Listening to these songs makes me feel immeasurably sad, nostalgic, but there is simultaneously such a beautiful and gentle quality I guess bc they are sung with such love. Ahhhhh I just want to cry ,,,, I love love love love Sufjan and hope hope hope I shall see him one day !!!!
While it may be irrelevant or thematically indirect, I can’t help but think of the apostle John in a nurtering, parabolic way when I hear “John my beloved”. In John’s Gospel, he used the word “love” more than any other, and while he wrote in the simplest, kindest prose, his meekness and emotion bled out all the more. Christ even instructed his “beloved” John to watch over Mary while on the stake, and in some unexplainable aesthetic overture, I hear that brotherly, spiritual love in this notes and rythems of this song. Perception is a wonder to behold.
Agreed. For homework: The Mistress Witch from McClure. An oft overlooked, but exceedingly wonderful Sufjan track open.spotify.com/track/0g6B1zuMfnBH1hxeshOf4Y?si=VbZN50ur
Cookie Master other Top Pick from The Avalanche: Soul Bellow (listen to this one alone, whiles trying bathing, OR 1/3 through a long drive it will destroy you.and it will build you back up. open.spotify.com/track/0g1f0hZoOFWPKDjvw8oAIy?si=PpP97QSO 2ND OTHERS 1000% WORTH LISTENING THE Henrietta Buggy Band open.spotify.com/track/0b8nVJDWvfDdCFrJhr5B9x?si=vy3Svkex Springfield, OR Bobby got a shad-fly caught in his hair open.spotify.com/track/1TYlZJWUNAJFXeF8FbPRIp?si=vLa7Whst LASTLY, The Perpetual Self All bias aside, this songs the jam open.spotify.com/track/2MmtlQDnPpoIkt4OJYJH7I?si=IUowYGLc
🎶🎶lyrics🎶🎶0:00 Are we to speak, first day of the week Stumbling words at the bar Beauty blue eyes, my order of fries Long island kindness and wine Beloved of John, I get it all wrong I read you for some kind of poem Covered in lines, the fossils I find Have they no life of their own? So can we pretend sweetly Before the mystery ends? I am a man with a heart that offends With its lonely and greedy demands There's only a shadow of me, in a manner of speaking I'm dead Such a waste, your beautiful face Stumbling carpet arise Go follow your gem, your white feathered friend Icarus, point to the sun If history speaks of two baby teeth I'm painting the hills blue and red They said beware, Lord hear my prayer I've wasted my throes on your head So can we be friends sweetly Before the mystery ends? I love you more than the world can contain In its lonely and ramshackle head There's only a shadow of me, in a manner of speaking I'm dead I'm holding my breath My tongue on your chest What can be said of my heart? If history speaks, the kiss on my cheek Where there remains but a mark Beloved my John, so I'll carry on Counting my cards down to one And when I am dead, come visit my bed My fossil is bright in the sun So can we contend, peacefully Before my history ends? Jesus I need you, be near me, come shield me From fossils that fall on my head There's only a shadow of me, in a matter of speaking I'm dead
After listening to a few songs off this album for the first time in a long long while I was left… shaking involuntarily, disoriented, shed a few tears. I don’t know any other music that’s done that to me…
Sufjan Stevens' songs make me feel like love will, in some way redeem me or give dignity to my existence. It doesn't have to last forever, in fact it's more honest if it doesn't but I feel like my empty moments will be less empty because I'll have someone to think about.
The confounding words of this song are all of the "you's" and "my's." If the third stanza were taken literally, it would actually be Jesus talking, as his was the cheek that was kissed by Judas. The earlier line "Beloved OF John, I get all wrong" is somehow resolved here, as (Jesus, as I am presuming) speaks John's true identity; Beloved MY John. John is securely his, and with that knowledge Jesus carries on until the day of his death (so I'll carry on, counting my cards down to one). Christ's fossil though--his memory, the way he will be remembered and thought about--is bright in the sun, which is the great physical sustainer of life and the greatest symbol of life that we have. Without it, there would be no life. The fossils from before, the memories of other lovers, perhaps, do not have life at all ("covered in lines, the fossils I find--have they no life of their own?"). The song contrasts Stevens' human lovers, his love for his mother (second stanza), and the love of Jesus. These musings inspire the last three lines: Jesus, I need you; shield me from my ugly, painful, death-filled history with YOUR history, which is indeed resurrection and life out of death. This is why, though the phrase is colloquially "manner of speaking," he actually sings "matter of speaking." If it's a manner of speaking, then he is absolutely dead; the phrase implies that what he speaks is the truth, expressed in a certain way but true nonetheless. If it's a matter of speaking, then he is absolutely dead in that matter. If he is the one who speaks, then he is dead. But there is another matter--the matter of Christ himself, who has spoken and called John his beloved. On a more grandiose and cosmic level, in John 1 we read that Christ is the Word itself and the source of life, through whom all things were made and without whom nothing would exist, much like the sun. Because of this matter, Stevens is not dead at all.
I know how it feels. My classmate (and friend in one) died on 16th of December 2016 and I'm sorry for your loss. I'm frankly sorry that you have to feel this way. That you have to write about it. Let this song be a reminder of John. The one you have memories with. Your John. Your beloved John. Let it remind you to live while you can. Stay strong. Xxx someone whose name is not important
one of this song's many gifts is how I always think it's ending a good two minutes before it actually does, so each time the last two minutes are a surprise. a welcome, bleak, horribly depressing and beautifully expressed surprise
I’d like to propose a different interpretation from all the beautiful ones here. I think it’s about him visiting a bar every night, and missing his mom. So much of the text sounds like he’s missing someone he wish he got the chance to understand, and it seems like he’s getting drunk to get closer to someone who’s died. I know it might seem a bit oedipean based on the lyrics (tongue on your chest), but I read that as a child being fed. He’s been without that nourishment for so long, but now he craves an emotional one from his mother who has long since passed.
This song sounds like a love song between John the beloved Disciple, it the Gospel of John he is depicted as very close to Christ, and Christ loved him dearly
"Jesus I need you be near me, come shield me from fossils that fall on my head. There's only a shadow of me, in a manner of speaking, I'm dead" has to be my favorite line from the entire album. I know what it's like to have the past constantly weigh on you. And to pray that it will end someday.
"Cold in my professions, warm in my friendships, I wish, my Dear Laurens, it might be in my power, by action rather than words to convince you that I love you."
This is one of my all time favorite songs, so I decided to paraphrase it as best as I could. In some parts I tried my best to write down what Sufjan was trying to get at, while in other parts I feel like I took some creative liberty. "Should we speak about the first day of that week? We were at the bar, and we were stumbling on our words. I still remember my order of fries, the kindness of the people of Long Island and the wine. John, you were beautiful, you had gorgeous blue eyes, but I read you in a completely wrong way. You were like a poem to me; you were almost fully covered in verse. But even though I liked you, did my religious beliefs hold no value? Was my love not sinful? I wanted to pretend, before our connection completely disappeared, that my heart was at fault, consumed by its loneliness and greediness. But through these thoughts, the part of me that loved remained nothing but a shadow, and I ceased to exist. Once these convictions arose, your beauty was entirely wasted. But still, I couldn’t seem to forget us stumbling on the carpet at that bar. In this moment I don’t want you to remember me, you should continue living your life, following the road to salvation and peace. You must overcome your own limitations, but never exhaust yourself, because when I think back at our time spent together, not only happy memories come to mind but also people’s warnings about our sacrilegious love. And because of what we did, our Lord should hear my prayer: I’ve lived through pain and suffering because of my adoration for you. But, back then, I wished we could still be friends, so our time spent together could hold some meaning. I blamed everything on our immense devotion for each other, unfathomable for our ramshackle world. But since I couldn’t worship you, there was nothing left for my spirit but to remain a shadow, while my earthly senses vanished. In our intimate moments, you made me hold my breath, and place my weight on you. At that time, I can’t imagine what could’ve been said about my passion for you. My clearest memory is of you kissing my cheek, an act that forever left a mark on me. My beloved, my only option is to carry on till I live out my last days and only when I’m dead, you’ll visit me at my resting place, which will be cleansed of lust. For this reason, my righteous bones will shine, reflecting the sun’s light. Therefore my last request before I die is to be shielded and protected. Jesus, save me from the mistakes of my past, that find ways to perpetually cause me torment. I will finally know religious peace even though I will never have truly loved and in the remaining days of my life I will live as if I’m already dead."
I remember like 2 years ago discovering this song because it reminded a lot of people of Alexander Hamilton and John Laurens relationship. I really enjoyed this song for awhile without thinking much about it. I eventually listened to all of the Carrie and Lowell album and loved it so much. Back in April I decided to started listening to all of Sufjan's music, which was the best decision ever. All of his songs and so beautiful and have amazing lyrics. This song is not my favorite, this version of this song is not my favorite, but it will always take me back to my junior year of high school. This song holds such a special place in my heart.
My husband and I are longtime Sufjan fans for 11-12 years. We have played this song almost every night for the past few months to put our toddler son to sleep and it works like a charm. Death With Dignity helps me deal with my dad's untimely death. Thank you for years of beautiful and thought provoking music Suf.
I cry everytime i listen >any< song of this guy.... It's to much to me, it's more than perfect, it's my feelings on it. I feel my soul, i feel the satisfation, i feel my tears everytime. I love u so much for these songs...
the line "my order of fries" always tears me apart for some reason. i don't know why, but it's just so plain and ordinary in a song filled with sadness. like the world keeps moving on no matter how bad your situation is.
Understated. Powerful. Minimalistic. What can you say.. Perfect. This will be song of the year. I picked Streets of Philadelphia and Miss Misery..some songs... just nail it.. This is one of them. thanks SUFJAN!
I remember hearing this song last year, it reminds me of something sad but also happy. It's one of those songs where once you listen you wanna do research to see if like what it means.
My birthday... is on Fourth of July. Ironically, I died on that day too, I'm left grieving today thinking of all possible ways to revive my cheerful body and hopeful soul from the grave I myself dug years ago.
the lines "I am a man with a heart that offends with its lonely and greedy demands" and "I love you more than the world can contain in its lonely and ramshackle head" simultaneously rip my heart out of my chest and add years to my life
that and the implications of "in a _matter_ of speaking, I'm dead" instead of the correct use being 'manner', combining "a manner of speaking" and "a matter of fact" and changing it from a metaphorical statement to a factual one
![Digital Circus Episode 4 [TRAILER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/abZtsmMUbJo/mqdefault.jpg)
"I am a man with the heart that offends with its lonely and greedy demands."
god damn.
100th like!
That broke and fixed me at the same time. That's me. Greedy.
There is no god that would damn that line.
"The enormity of my desire disgusts me"
I was going to comment that.
"I love you more than the world can contain in its lonely and ramshackle head." Wow.
drummer4916 This one did me in: "I am man with a heart that offends with its lonely and greedy demands."
This album is going to change a lot of people I think. It will be an album that marks a point in history in a lot of people's lives. It will be nostalgia. I feel pretty certain. It has already done that to me. I'll hear this song years from now and remember a fleeting moment in my 34th year.
+Laura Forster
Hi Laura! I agree with you... this album is special and timeless and hauntingly beautiful...
Laura Forster You nailed it! I agree. My 47th summer will always be the breathy "Fourth of July" by Sufyan Stevens.
+drummer4916 Somehow I see your comments everywhere! Bless your taste of music.
I don't understand this part
I am in tears thinking of my blue eyed love who has left this world....Michael My Beloved.
May he rest in peace
Mine is also a Michael; if I thought I could get through without crying...
Until we meet again, my friend
You're in my thoughts Richard, I hope you're doing better
Hope you’re doing well 💕
i had a neighbour, an old man that ended up being a family friend, he was lonely but he was always smiling along with his dog. he would always greet me when he left for work on his truck, until suddenly he passed away one night. I played this song when i got the news and now every time i listen to it i remember him, i remember how lovely yet lonely he was, mr benitez i hope you know you were loved.
If I may ask, where is Mr. Benitez' dog now? 🥺 Mr. Benitez, you are celebrated 🤍
@@aziara369 his family took him, he's in a different city now i believe
@@sofialarramendia7985 the dog must be missing him so bad, but it's great to know the dog's being taken care of 🤍 have a delightful time, Sofia!
@@aziara369 you too🥰
Sorry for generalizing, and I don’t even know his origins, but Latino people always tend to be sooo nice and open, even when they’re struggling with difficulties of their own! Such loving people the most of them are to my experience !
I came from Call Be by Your My NAme and now i am addicted to his voice.
:)
Same!
Wow...me to
I Came from a song reference on Wattpad .3. Just me? Ok...
Joanne Joey me too!!! So many of his songs make me think of Elio and Oliver.
“Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?”― Tennessee Williams
Are we to speak, first day of the week
Stumbling words at the bar
Beauty blue eyes, my order of fries
Long island kindness and wine
Beloved of John, I get it all wrong
I read you for some kind of poem
Covered in lines, the fossils I find
Have they no life of their own?
So can we pretend sweetly
Before the mystery ends?
I am a man with a heart that offends
With its lonely and greedy demands
There's only a shadow of me, in a manner of speaking I'm dead
Such a waste, your beautiful face
Stumbling carpet arise
Go follow your gem, your white feathered friend
Icarus, point to the sun
If history speaks of two baby teeth
I'm painting the hills blue and red
They said beware, Lord hear my prayer
I've wasted my throes on your head
So can we be friends sweetly
Before the mystery ends?
I love you more than the world can contain
In its lonely and ramshackle head
There's only a shadow of me, in a manner of speaking I'm dead
I'm holding my breath
My tongue on your chest
What can be said of my heart?
If history speaks, the kiss on my cheek
Where there remains but a mark
Beloved my John, so I'll carry on
Counting my cards down to one
And when I am dead, come visit my bed
My fossil is bright in the sun
So can we contend, peacefully
Before my history ends?
Jesus I need you, be near me, come shield me
From fossils that fall on my head
There's only a shadow of me, in a matter of speaking I'm dead
it's so poetic i need to go sit in a corner and cry my eyes out
(It's also in the decription)
That last breath on the end. *Chills*
This, Fourth of July, Eugene and death with dignity all my favorites
+Azir Samson definitely agree, so beautifully sad
I love the lyric
"i love you more than the world can contain in its lonely and ramshackled head"
This is so sadly beautiful.
+jake b
SO BEAUTIFULLY SAD
+Children of Abel you're beautiful
jake b no you are beautiful.
Se ingoio lo sperma resto incinta?p
L
I'm never prepared for when he starts singing.
My name is john and this is my narcissistic jam
I love this song and interpret it as an ex-lover story. But today something clicked in my brain and I realized it's also about John as the Jesus disciple. Love Sufjan Stevens lyrics, they never cease to amaze me.
@@Justin-fb7ni Why? I think it's really interesting. Faith is a great topic to analyze through art!
@@Justin-fb7ni lots of stuff:
One aunt of mine was heavily into drugs in 1970s and 80s. She happened to become a Jehovah’s Witness after talking to one. She cleaned up her whole act and stopped all the drugs and even cigarettes. Yes it’s unfortunate she got into a horrible crazy religion, but this shows that in her case it was actually a good thing for her.
If I was atheist, I would still promote Christianity to people. Because people are dumb and selfish and wrong and egotistical. Would you agree? People tend to be immoral without fear of God and they will do horrible evil things or deeds.
But yes religious people do very bad deeds also. But religion is created by people not God. Many religious people who do bad things are not listening to God. You shouldn’t attach to God the bad things religious humans do. The world needs less religion and more true followers of God.
But what’s really funny and ironic is that this song is about John the Beloved. Who was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. But many people believe that John the Beloved was in fact a gay man. And there’s a lot of evidence from that time that suggests he was. And then a lot of those people who believe that, many of them also believe or ponder that Jesus was his lover. And there’s a good bit of evidence from that time that suggests that too.
The artist who made this song is a gay Christian (or bi idk). I am too. People get dogmatic and stuff, and they judge gay people. But God told them not to judge, but they still do it anyways. But you can’t attach what people are doing, you can’t attach that to God and blame God for the “followers” that are doing what God said not to do!
Also the bad side, the devil and his followers, they like to infiltrate the churches so that they can do these bad things and make God look bad.
I understand why you feel the way you do about it all. And I hope you will understand what I am saying.
I just thought this comment was really ironic and funny because of the circumstances I explained above! Like how it’s about John the Beloved and the theories some people have about him. & How the artist is a gay Christian and so am I and the thoughts and things that come from it when you have religion who judges us for being gay. It’s hard!
If you read it thank you.
I'm so happy for Sufjie. There shouldn't be happiness in the tragedies and the losses in life, but he's the proof that we can create from the ashes of our memories and beloved ones. I'm definitely getting this album.
"There shouldn't be happiness in the tragedies and the losses in life, but he's the proof that we can create from the ashes of our memories and beloved ones."
damn, thats everything i could never seem to put into words
pain is love...
"sufjie"
@@radiantsunread as "soof-yee"
This is truly beautiful. I love when he sings "such a waste, your beautiful face" so lovely
+WoahNelli wow hello sweety
+Khaisan Zatta hi
That was one of the lines that attached me to this song at first. It's such a hauntingly beautiful, soft and melancholic song.
That was one of the lines that attached me to this song at first. It's such a hauntingly beautiful, soft and melancholic song.
+Gisselle Dubox Glad someone else caught the same feels I feel for that line too.
MY ORDER OF FRIES
B O I
Haha love
U ma fav person now
B E A U T Y
I stick in your eyes.
In a matter of seconds your're dead
Sometimes I don't even understand humanity. Why in this beautiful god-forsaken earth would you ever dislike this?
This song is so hauntingly and heartbreakingly beautiful.
And, although it is referring to religion, specifically Jesus, you can also interpret it as a melancholic love song (to a man named John).
John was the little light who announced the big light as in Jesus. So the moon as John announces the Sun (Son) the light of the world.
John was dark (with out light)
@@brewonit4831 Different John. The John you're referring to is John the Baptist. St. John the Apostle was "the disciple who Jesus loved"
for my nearly 40 years this is the best song I've ever heard
cause i feel its like bout me and my life
Джон Джон you da man brotha
All of Carrie and Lowell is Beautiful, but this song is Perfection.
Came here after reading “On earth we’re briefly gorgeous “ by Ocean Voung , forever grateful for you music Sufjan
Crazy how you can have such a complicated relationship with a song
I think that all the songs which we don't know if are about religion or love are about both. I think Sufjan compares his experiences with those of biblical passages.
Ugh yea but yet again look at songs such as
The Owl and The Tanager
All of Me Wants All of You
Wasps
All for Myself
Size too small
Mouth of Gabriel? I’m not sure on that one tbh
The biblical references or alliterations may be present in some of the ones above but I see these songs mostly fixed on that love
And the mixture of both love and Jesus
To Be Alone With You
I’m in love with his music...
Yeah like ‘the song of songs’ in the bible is literally one of the greatest passages about love. It’s name itself implies it’s the greatest song of all songs, and the words can be interpreted as a human’s love for another human, or as an allegory of religious love as well
The thing about stories from the Bible, or from Greek mythology or anything going back far enough is that they happen in a kind of time and space which is so long ago that it almost loops back around and becomes right now. It's difficult to explain, but the stories become such a part of us that they infuse the things we do every day. So it's not necessarily about comparing your experiences to them, it can be about feeling them singing into being *through* your experiences, if that makes sense. In some of these songs you can't have the love without the religion, and you can't have the religion without the love because it's all tied together so personally. I think.
This song, especially the opening, always paint a very vivid image in my mind. An old diner along a derelict route somewhere in the US, it's been the same since it opened in the 60s or 70s with no renovation happening at any point. The windows are dirty and don't let too much light in. A man sitting at the bar or in one of the booths who sinks into thought as he's brought his order of fries, with the lyrics all happening in his head.
This song in particular just pulled my soul from my body to stare at something I don't really understand, but yet I can feel it. This song is amazing. It's so sad, so hopeful, so real.
I liked how you worded your reflection. Yes, I agree :)
Sufjan Stevens, "John My Beloved" Beautiful song. My favorite line: , 'I'm not going to be bitter. I'm going to have love.'"
I swear every song Sufjan Stevens creates sounds like someone, somewhere is falling in love 💜
This came on Spotify while I was studying and I had to stop everything I was doing. It’s so entrancing, I’ve never heard anything quite like it.
"Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written." (John 21:25)
My favorite song on this album... so beautiful and heartbreaking. Impossible to resist; I sat and shamelessly cried like a little child upon hearing it performed live.
Its crazy how many people come back to this everyday... this song is masterpiece!!!
Over a hundred-thousand views and NO DISLIKES? I need to hang out with more Sufjan Stevens fans.
Ben Schroering come find me big boi
Ben Schroering Looks like you gave someone a challenge ;-)
+Kia Yee You wasted your time. It is so sweet you care enough to take the time logging onto all of your accounts. Too bad nobody agrees with you. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
***** Consider kinder words. You are on a Sufjan video, you know.
+Kia Yee do you need a hug?
"So can we contend, peacefully
Before my history ends?
Jesus I need you, be near, come shield me..."
This whole album give me GOOSEBUMPS. That little space where everything overlaps is captured with such perfection. Listening to these songs makes me feel immeasurably sad, nostalgic, but there is simultaneously such a beautiful and gentle quality I guess bc they are sung with such love. Ahhhhh I just want to cry ,,,, I love love love love Sufjan and hope hope hope I shall see him one day !!!!
wow, this guy makes amazing music, so glad i found out about him
While it may be irrelevant or thematically indirect, I can’t help but think of the apostle John in a nurtering, parabolic way when I hear “John my beloved”. In John’s Gospel, he used the word “love” more than any other, and while he wrote in the simplest, kindest prose, his meekness and emotion bled out all the more. Christ even instructed his “beloved” John to watch over Mary while on the stake, and in some unexplainable aesthetic overture, I hear that brotherly, spiritual love in this notes and rythems of this song. Perception is a wonder to behold.
I think we all (yes even those who are just here for lams) need to take a step back and appreciate the beauty of this song.
Agreed. For homework: The Mistress Witch from McClure. An oft overlooked, but exceedingly wonderful Sufjan track
open.spotify.com/track/0g6B1zuMfnBH1hxeshOf4Y?si=VbZN50ur
Cookie Master other Top Pick from The Avalanche:
Soul Bellow (listen to this one alone, whiles trying bathing, OR 1/3 through a long drive it will destroy you.and it will build you back up.
open.spotify.com/track/0g1f0hZoOFWPKDjvw8oAIy?si=PpP97QSO
2ND
OTHERS 1000% WORTH LISTENING
THE Henrietta Buggy Band
open.spotify.com/track/0b8nVJDWvfDdCFrJhr5B9x?si=vy3Svkex
Springfield, OR Bobby got a shad-fly caught in his hair
open.spotify.com/track/1TYlZJWUNAJFXeF8FbPRIp?si=vLa7Whst
LASTLY, The Perpetual Self
All bias aside, this songs the jam
open.spotify.com/track/2MmtlQDnPpoIkt4OJYJH7I?si=IUowYGLc
im here for lams but i agree, this song is beautiful
🎶🎶lyrics🎶🎶0:00
Are we to speak, first day of the week
Stumbling words at the bar
Beauty blue eyes, my order of fries
Long island kindness and wine
Beloved of John, I get it all wrong
I read you for some kind of poem
Covered in lines, the fossils I find
Have they no life of their own?
So can we pretend sweetly
Before the mystery ends?
I am a man with a heart that offends
With its lonely and greedy demands
There's only a shadow of me, in a manner of speaking I'm dead
Such a waste, your beautiful face
Stumbling carpet arise
Go follow your gem, your white feathered friend
Icarus, point to the sun
If history speaks of two baby teeth
I'm painting the hills blue and red
They said beware, Lord hear my prayer
I've wasted my throes on your head
So can we be friends sweetly
Before the mystery ends?
I love you more than the world can contain
In its lonely and ramshackle head
There's only a shadow of me, in a manner of speaking I'm dead
I'm holding my breath
My tongue on your chest
What can be said of my heart?
If history speaks, the kiss on my cheek
Where there remains but a mark
Beloved my John, so I'll carry on
Counting my cards down to one
And when I am dead, come visit my bed
My fossil is bright in the sun
So can we contend, peacefully
Before my history ends?
Jesus I need you, be near me, come shield me
From fossils that fall on my head
There's only a shadow of me, in a matter of speaking I'm dead
The I love you part is so beautiful
After listening to a few songs off this album for the first time in a long long while I was left… shaking involuntarily, disoriented, shed a few tears. I don’t know any other music that’s done that to me…
pure artwork
Sufjan Stevens' songs make me feel like love will, in some way redeem me or give dignity to my existence. It doesn't have to last forever, in fact it's more honest if it doesn't but I feel like my empty moments will be less empty because I'll have someone to think about.
The confounding words of this song are all of the "you's" and "my's." If the third stanza were taken literally, it would actually be Jesus talking, as his was the cheek that was kissed by Judas. The earlier line "Beloved OF John, I get all wrong" is somehow resolved here, as (Jesus, as I am presuming) speaks John's true identity; Beloved MY John. John is securely his, and with that knowledge Jesus carries on until the day of his death (so I'll carry on, counting my cards down to one). Christ's fossil though--his memory, the way he will be remembered and thought about--is bright in the sun, which is the great physical sustainer of life and the greatest symbol of life that we have. Without it, there would be no life. The fossils from before, the memories of other lovers, perhaps, do not have life at all ("covered in lines, the fossils I find--have they no life of their own?").
The song contrasts Stevens' human lovers, his love for his mother (second stanza), and the love of Jesus. These musings inspire the last three lines: Jesus, I need you; shield me from my ugly, painful, death-filled history with YOUR history, which is indeed resurrection and life out of death. This is why, though the phrase is colloquially "manner of speaking," he actually sings "matter of speaking." If it's a manner of speaking, then he is absolutely dead; the phrase implies that what he speaks is the truth, expressed in a certain way but true nonetheless. If it's a matter of speaking, then he is absolutely dead in that matter. If he is the one who speaks, then he is dead. But there is another matter--the matter of Christ himself, who has spoken and called John his beloved. On a more grandiose and cosmic level, in John 1 we read that Christ is the Word itself and the source of life, through whom all things were made and without whom nothing would exist, much like the sun. Because of this matter, Stevens is not dead at all.
That's amazing
1:22 is one of the most beautiful lines ever sung.
my friend named john died the day this album was released.
kerewin emil Wow I am so sorry.
I know how it feels. My classmate (and friend in one) died on 16th of December 2016 and I'm sorry for your loss. I'm frankly sorry that you have to feel this way. That you have to write about it. Let this song be a reminder of John. The one you have memories with. Your John. Your beloved John. Let it remind you to live while you can. Stay strong.
Xxx
someone whose name is not important
Omg :( this is for him , i'm so sorry
one of this song's many gifts is how I always think it's ending a good two minutes before it actually does, so each time the last two minutes are a surprise. a welcome, bleak, horribly depressing and beautifully expressed surprise
Thinking of you Somerly while listening to your favourite song. Wherever you are, fly high angel. RIP xoxo
still thinking of you xo
I’d like to propose a different interpretation from all the beautiful ones here. I think it’s about him visiting a bar every night, and missing his mom. So much of the text sounds like he’s missing someone he wish he got the chance to understand, and it seems like he’s getting drunk to get closer to someone who’s died. I know it might seem a bit oedipean based on the lyrics (tongue on your chest), but I read that as a child being fed. He’s been without that nourishment for so long, but now he craves an emotional one from his mother who has long since passed.
Beautiful
The sad atmosphere in this song make it so magical and nostalgic
What a poet. Thank you universe for Sufjan Stevens and Elliott Smith
My heart aches so much for this song.
This song sounds like a love song between John the beloved Disciple, it the Gospel of John he is depicted as very close to Christ, and Christ loved him dearly
im ngl this has to be the best song on the album right
Powerful, emotional masterpiece of an album that usually hits me super hard once this song starts to play. Incredible music.
This song is a beauty, so is the live version from his C&L tour (Made me all teary-eyed)
+lightchaste i public-cried 3 times during his boston concert this spring
it never ceases, that listening to sufjan first thing in the morning (in my most raw, unfiltered state)
leads to goosebumps and tears
Hemingway said loving someone is a religious devotion too.
One of my favourite quotes from Borges: to fall in love is to create a religion with a fallible god.
Jesus loves you💖
Jesus loves you💖
"Jesus I need you be near me, come shield me from fossils that fall on my head. There's only a shadow of me, in a manner of speaking, I'm dead" has to be my favorite line from the entire album. I know what it's like to have the past constantly weigh on you. And to pray that it will end someday.
oh, i never thought of it that way... thank you!
There’s only a shawdow of me
Is really powerful when he repeats that line after every verse
this song has got me through so many heartbreaks and broken friendships. thank you sufjan.
"Cold in my professions, warm in my friendships, I wish, my Dear Laurens, it might be in my power, by action rather than words to convince you that I love you."
*crying*
NO YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED
CodeDarkBlue LAMS AHHHHH!!1!!111
CodeDarkBlue I flipped my shit when I saw this comment, god bless you
GOD DAMN
"Jesus I need you, be near ME, come shield me..." Just a little mistake above. This song is amazing.
It’s both a blessing and a curse that some songs act as "Time Capsules" where when you listen to them… you remember.
This is one of my all time favorite songs, so I decided to paraphrase it as best as I could. In some parts I tried my best to write down what Sufjan was trying to get at, while in other parts I feel like I took some creative liberty.
"Should we speak about the first day of that week? We were at the bar, and we were stumbling on our words. I still remember my order of fries, the kindness of the people of Long Island and the wine.
John, you were beautiful, you had gorgeous blue eyes, but I read you in a completely wrong way. You were like a poem to me; you were almost fully covered in verse. But even though I liked you, did my religious beliefs hold no value? Was my love not sinful? I wanted to pretend, before our connection completely disappeared, that my heart was at fault, consumed by its loneliness and greediness. But through these thoughts, the part of me that loved remained nothing but a shadow, and I ceased to exist. Once these convictions arose, your beauty was entirely wasted. But still, I couldn’t seem to forget us stumbling on the carpet at that bar.
In this moment I don’t want you to remember me, you should continue living your life, following the road to salvation and peace. You must overcome your own limitations, but never exhaust yourself, because when I think back at our time spent together, not only happy memories come to mind but also people’s warnings about our sacrilegious love. And because of what we did, our Lord should hear my prayer: I’ve lived through pain and suffering because of my adoration for you.
But, back then, I wished we could still be friends, so our time spent together could hold some meaning. I blamed everything on our immense devotion for each other, unfathomable for our ramshackle world. But since I couldn’t worship you, there was nothing left for my spirit but to remain a shadow, while my earthly senses vanished.
In our intimate moments, you made me hold my breath, and place my weight on you. At that time, I can’t imagine what could’ve been said about my passion for you. My clearest memory is of you kissing my cheek, an act that forever left a mark on me.
My beloved, my only option is to carry on till I live out my last days and only when I’m dead, you’ll visit me at my resting place, which will be cleansed of lust. For this reason, my righteous bones will shine, reflecting the sun’s light.
Therefore my last request before I die is to be shielded and protected. Jesus, save me from the mistakes of my past, that find ways to perpetually cause me torment. I will finally know religious peace even though I will never have truly loved and in the remaining days of my life I will live as if I’m already dead."
I sense this too. Beautiful interpretation this exactly what I felt Sufjan was conveying.
I remember like 2 years ago discovering this song because it reminded a lot of people of Alexander Hamilton and John Laurens relationship. I really enjoyed this song for awhile without thinking much about it. I eventually listened to all of the Carrie and Lowell album and loved it so much. Back in April I decided to started listening to all of Sufjan's music, which was the best decision ever. All of his songs and so beautiful and have amazing lyrics. This song is not my favorite, this version of this song is not my favorite, but it will always take me back to my junior year of high school. This song holds such a special place in my heart.
Sufjan's music paralyzes me sometimes but it helps me to let out things that I've held in for so long.
it is sad but beautiful.. i love his songs
theres only a shadow of me in a matter of speaking im dead
Could you please stop spamming the comments?
Jesus loves you. Did he get explained away?
Five years later--yes, this is a contender for best song of the decade. It's perfect.
This album is the soundtrack to my mourning.
Same. I listen to it every day.
It's beautiful, in it's own way, it's sad, but pretty, calm and peaceful. I really like it.
This man’s voice is so beautiful, Calm, Peaceful and so damn soothing that it brings me to the verge of tears
My husband and I are longtime Sufjan fans for 11-12 years. We have played this song almost every night for the past few months to put our toddler son to sleep and it works like a charm. Death With Dignity helps me deal with my dad's untimely death. Thank you for years of beautiful and thought provoking music Suf.
Playing it now for my 2 year old daughter and my old comment popped up. ☺️
I cry everytime i listen >any< song of this guy.... It's to much to me, it's more than perfect, it's my feelings on it. I feel my soul, i feel the satisfation, i feel my tears everytime. I love u so much for these songs...
This is a great song not just in the Lams aspect, but in every aspect it's just beautiful. Great job.
AGREED
Such a masterpice, i can listen to this all day
this is the most beautiful sad gay song ive ever listened to im calling obama and crying
with the Diddy scandals and obama being mentioned I am wondering if you actually meant this?
@@lihlelubelo3057 hi yeah I did
Me: "this'll be the day I finally get over unrequited love and move on with my life!"
Sufjan's music: "Sure it is buddy"
This song is so goddamn good
Sherlock's favourite song!
tears/...every single time. Thanks Sufjan.
Remarkable miraculous music thank you.
the line "my order of fries" always tears me apart for some reason. i don't know why, but it's just so plain and ordinary in a song filled with sadness. like the world keeps moving on no matter how bad your situation is.
Listening to Sufjan Stevens songs during this time of quarantine help me to deal with my "Existential Problem"
Always love this song
this just touches me so much. I just listen to it in the dark at sunfall and open my window and it touches me.
Understated. Powerful. Minimalistic. What can you say.. Perfect.
This will be song of the year. I picked Streets of Philadelphia and Miss Misery..some songs... just nail it.. This is one of them. thanks SUFJAN!
Such a beautiful album
I remember hearing this song last year, it reminds me of something sad but also happy. It's one of those songs where once you listen you wanna do research to see if like what it means.
The song ends with a breath.
The circle closes.
I have probably listened to this song 20 times today. Just wow
Every Sufjan Stevens song I have ever heard makes me feel so sad and alone. I love it.
I like to think that this is Sherlock's favourite song & nobody can convince me otherwise.
CuriosityKilledTheCat SatisfactionBroughtItBack RIGHT I WAS LITERALLY ABOUT TO SAY “y’all think this is about hamilton.... i don’t think so”
CuriosityKilledTheCat SatisfactionBroughtItBack why tf is no one in the fandom talking about this song it's perfect 💀💀
My birthday... is on Fourth of July. Ironically, I died on that day too, I'm left grieving today thinking of all possible ways to revive my cheerful body and hopeful soul from the grave I myself dug years ago.
This song gets me every time
One of my favourite Sufian Stevens Songs
the lines "I am a man with a heart that offends with its lonely and greedy demands" and "I love you more than the world can contain in its lonely and ramshackle head" simultaneously rip my heart out of my chest and add years to my life
that and the implications of "in a _matter_ of speaking, I'm dead" instead of the correct use being 'manner', combining "a manner of speaking" and "a matter of fact" and changing it from a metaphorical statement to a factual one
I forgot this was in my playlist and now I'm sad. :(
This song is so calming, powerful, and well put together I'm amazed.