13throwcenter
02-24-2001, 11:31 PM
So I've been kicking this one around in my head for about a month now, and finally got it into written form. I've been somewhat disappointed in the previous interpretations of this song that I have read. They all seem to take the words "angel" "devil" "faith" and "christ" too literally in a song that is absolutely laden with metaphor. Why should those words define the theme of the song? Everything else is so metaphorical, why are those things not too?
Anyway, here is my interpretation... I divided it up by the image scenes I have in my mind to make it easier to explain.
Tremor Christ
Scene 1:
It’s a troubled relationship between a man and a woman, perhaps he is an alcoholic, or becoming one (wounded is the organ) He is drunk (the storm) and he has just lashed out at everyone in his path, her...his family, but mostly her (he left all bloodied on the shore) the storm has subsided for now because he has done all the damage he can do at this point and/or is ready to pass out (winded is the sailor) the beautiful woman who once thought she could save him (gorgeous was his savior) is curled up on the floor, collapsed from the pain of the words(drowning in his wake) she hears them too often and her tears are never far from the surface (daily taste the salt of her tears)… perhaps they met by chance, and she now blames fate...(a chance blamed fate) is blaming her fate on chance? (this was the hardest line for me)
Perhaps there has been a secret in their life, one that has shaken their foundation, perhaps it remains undisclosed...perhaps it has lead to his drinking ....the chorus is saying that something that seems minute at first (little secret=only a tremor) can have the power to affect a relationship in little ways, which tend to multiply and strengthen (turned to quake) in such a way that they rock the relationship to the core, rocking the very foundation. Even the smallest secret can have a huge impact on a relationship (smallest oceans still get big big waves)
Scene 2:
later or the next morning he is sober, apologizing with the sweetest, kindest words... drawing her back in (ransom pays the devil) she gives her devil what he wants -she is her own ransom- by accepting his words yet again… but her soul (the angels) is screaming and would win if only she had time to gather some strength before he lures her back in with his seductive words (triumphant....if they get there first)
Scene 3:
Her alone, thinking, soul searching, gathering strength, clarity... the tremors begin within her soul, quickly turning to quake
Even though she has been beat down (she = the smallest ocean), she still has the burning desire in her soul to live (it’s a "big big wave")
She knows the time is coming... She will make the decision (I’ll decide) to make the change, to choose life vs. the death of her soul (take the dive) She will wait, until the moment is right (take my time) to leave him and spare herself a life of unhappiness (not my life) She will “wait for signs” until she knows it is right, go on pretending to “believe in lies” simply because she must “to get by”... it’s a “divine” plan, “you know what it’s like”, right? (the other line I had difficulty with)
Scene 4:
She has gained the confidence she needs and is now just biding her time... she slips back into the role he recognizes, is familiar with (turns the bow back towards him...drops the line)
She believes in (puts faith in) her love for herself and the strength that grew from the tremors deep within her soul (Christ = metaphor for strength of soul)
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
What if the Hokey-Pokey *is* what it's all about?
Anyway, here is my interpretation... I divided it up by the image scenes I have in my mind to make it easier to explain.
Tremor Christ
Scene 1:
It’s a troubled relationship between a man and a woman, perhaps he is an alcoholic, or becoming one (wounded is the organ) He is drunk (the storm) and he has just lashed out at everyone in his path, her...his family, but mostly her (he left all bloodied on the shore) the storm has subsided for now because he has done all the damage he can do at this point and/or is ready to pass out (winded is the sailor) the beautiful woman who once thought she could save him (gorgeous was his savior) is curled up on the floor, collapsed from the pain of the words(drowning in his wake) she hears them too often and her tears are never far from the surface (daily taste the salt of her tears)… perhaps they met by chance, and she now blames fate...(a chance blamed fate) is blaming her fate on chance? (this was the hardest line for me)
Perhaps there has been a secret in their life, one that has shaken their foundation, perhaps it remains undisclosed...perhaps it has lead to his drinking ....the chorus is saying that something that seems minute at first (little secret=only a tremor) can have the power to affect a relationship in little ways, which tend to multiply and strengthen (turned to quake) in such a way that they rock the relationship to the core, rocking the very foundation. Even the smallest secret can have a huge impact on a relationship (smallest oceans still get big big waves)
Scene 2:
later or the next morning he is sober, apologizing with the sweetest, kindest words... drawing her back in (ransom pays the devil) she gives her devil what he wants -she is her own ransom- by accepting his words yet again… but her soul (the angels) is screaming and would win if only she had time to gather some strength before he lures her back in with his seductive words (triumphant....if they get there first)
Scene 3:
Her alone, thinking, soul searching, gathering strength, clarity... the tremors begin within her soul, quickly turning to quake
Even though she has been beat down (she = the smallest ocean), she still has the burning desire in her soul to live (it’s a "big big wave")
She knows the time is coming... She will make the decision (I’ll decide) to make the change, to choose life vs. the death of her soul (take the dive) She will wait, until the moment is right (take my time) to leave him and spare herself a life of unhappiness (not my life) She will “wait for signs” until she knows it is right, go on pretending to “believe in lies” simply because she must “to get by”... it’s a “divine” plan, “you know what it’s like”, right? (the other line I had difficulty with)
Scene 4:
She has gained the confidence she needs and is now just biding her time... she slips back into the role he recognizes, is familiar with (turns the bow back towards him...drops the line)
She believes in (puts faith in) her love for herself and the strength that grew from the tremors deep within her soul (Christ = metaphor for strength of soul)
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
What if the Hokey-Pokey *is* what it's all about?