Lyrics
Some of you have asked why I put lyrics up as posts. Well, they speak to me, and I want to share them with you all. This last post from Talking to Mary is interesting to say the least. Allow me to expound some of my thoughts of the song.
First, naming the song "Talking to Mary" makes you think that he is dating someone or likes someone named Mary. However, I believe there to be a deeper meaning her. Ultimately, I think he is using Mary to refer to either the obvious, Virgin Mary, or God proper. Now, this might be because I was a Religion major among other things or because I'm reading a book entitled "A History of God." Regardless of the impetus behind me using a hermeneutic of religiosity, I shall nonetheless.
So, with the premise of speaking to The Virgin Mary (or just Mary from here on out), let us continue. You don't have to shout because she can hear what you are thinking like you were saying it out loud (paraphrase). This would also play into the omniscience aspect. Well, that is assuming you take Mary to be omniscient, which I generally do, since she was the only (unless you believe the folk stories about Enoch to be true) human to have been Assumed into Heaven. What does that mean you ask? It means Mary was taken into Heaven without dying. I digress...
"It was her that followed you down every stupid turn you took." She was there through all of your mistakes and faults. She never left you despite your faults. The chorus poses an interesting question in that it prophesizes that she will leave you. Are these the words of warning in the same manner as Moses who told the Israelites that your God is a jealous God? The song elucidates this a bit more...
"Saw the one big problem you keep hidden and it's unlikely that others will be cool with that." She knows your faults. She sees your soul and all you are. Who else would have followed and watched you while you were making mistakes, knowing your faults? You're traveling now, got your "bus fare" and few extra dollars. There is most likely no way back. Or at least a way back you can't afford. So you are on a voyage, but she's not going to tell you how to talk to her because you won't listen to her. You haven't listened to her in the past, so why would you start now? Again, echoes of disobedient peoples being scorned by their benevolent God.
After the next chorus line, the song takes a bit of a turn. I take it as "Mary" speaking here. "It's okay. I'll keep quiet if it's easier for you to make believe that I don't love you as much as I do." Here the benevolence shines through. Even if you don't acknowledge my power, know that I still love you. This song has a pseudo-happy ending, unlike many Elliott Smith songs. The more I write an exegesis on the song, the more I think it to be about God and not Mary. Mary is the pen name given for God. The song ends with a fade out of the chorus leaving a final warning.
Either I'm right, or he really did just write about getting on a bus to see his ex who isn't returning his phone calls. Who knows...
First, naming the song "Talking to Mary" makes you think that he is dating someone or likes someone named Mary. However, I believe there to be a deeper meaning her. Ultimately, I think he is using Mary to refer to either the obvious, Virgin Mary, or God proper. Now, this might be because I was a Religion major among other things or because I'm reading a book entitled "A History of God." Regardless of the impetus behind me using a hermeneutic of religiosity, I shall nonetheless.
So, with the premise of speaking to The Virgin Mary (or just Mary from here on out), let us continue. You don't have to shout because she can hear what you are thinking like you were saying it out loud (paraphrase). This would also play into the omniscience aspect. Well, that is assuming you take Mary to be omniscient, which I generally do, since she was the only (unless you believe the folk stories about Enoch to be true) human to have been Assumed into Heaven. What does that mean you ask? It means Mary was taken into Heaven without dying. I digress...
"It was her that followed you down every stupid turn you took." She was there through all of your mistakes and faults. She never left you despite your faults. The chorus poses an interesting question in that it prophesizes that she will leave you. Are these the words of warning in the same manner as Moses who told the Israelites that your God is a jealous God? The song elucidates this a bit more...
"Saw the one big problem you keep hidden and it's unlikely that others will be cool with that." She knows your faults. She sees your soul and all you are. Who else would have followed and watched you while you were making mistakes, knowing your faults? You're traveling now, got your "bus fare" and few extra dollars. There is most likely no way back. Or at least a way back you can't afford. So you are on a voyage, but she's not going to tell you how to talk to her because you won't listen to her. You haven't listened to her in the past, so why would you start now? Again, echoes of disobedient peoples being scorned by their benevolent God.
After the next chorus line, the song takes a bit of a turn. I take it as "Mary" speaking here. "It's okay. I'll keep quiet if it's easier for you to make believe that I don't love you as much as I do." Here the benevolence shines through. Even if you don't acknowledge my power, know that I still love you. This song has a pseudo-happy ending, unlike many Elliott Smith songs. The more I write an exegesis on the song, the more I think it to be about God and not Mary. Mary is the pen name given for God. The song ends with a fade out of the chorus leaving a final warning.
Either I'm right, or he really did just write about getting on a bus to see his ex who isn't returning his phone calls. Who knows...
Labels: exegesis
posted by runrMD08 at 8:57 AM
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