Sufjan Stevens – For the Widows in Paradise, for the Fatherless in Ypsilanti

• +1
  My Interpretation:While it might feel strange when you first consider this, I think it is God himself who is speaking.
  
  Note that the song is about widows and the fatherless, that is people who have lost their husbands or fathers, respectively. These widows and children might be wondering why they had to lose their beloved ones, why God has taken them. In the song, God tries to explain this to them. He says that while he would do anything for us, even he must obey, he must invite (to heaven). I think the song addresses the question why we and the ones we love have to die. Why even God cannot stop death. The song suggests that even God must obey some higher law and has to accept the death of his children.
  
  I have called you children [you humans]
  I have called you son [you Jesus]
  (...)
  Still I must obey
  Still I must invite
  
  (...)
  I there's any other way [if I could stop death]
  I'd do anything for you [I would let you live]
  
  (...)
  Even if I come back [in Jesus, God came to earth]
  Even if I die [in Jesus, God experienced death]
  
  (...)
  
  I did everything for you [but I had to let you die]

  Flag TXCon May 03, 2013   Link

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  General Comment:I've wondered why he said fuck you and I thought maybe he's saying fuck you to the person who doesn't accept Jesus as their savior. Probably Stevens saying it because Jesus isn't like that. (I'm not a pussy just honestly wondered why he said it).

  Flagged bkabbotton February 24, 2013   Link

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    What are you talking about? He never says "fuck you" in this song. Are you mishearing "for you"?

    Flag Ryuhzaon April 28, 2013  
• 0
  General Comment:I'm glad i decided to read through some comments. Some great interpretations. I believe this song can be taken in two ways from a natural reading that also considers Sufjan's typical biblical undertones.
  
  Option 1: The song is completely the words of Christ
  Someone mentioned James 1:27, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world". I believe this is a great hint at the song title and "idea to replace Jesus' life".
  
  Stanza 1 -
  Jesus speaks to believers collectively and personally, primarily to comfort. Likely from the perspective of the pre-crucified Jesus, and spoken to the Twelve. The bible often mentions the disciples' dread of Jesus's frequent mention of his own death (Matthew 16:21-22). He comforts them by providing the perspective they should have, "What [authority] is there to answer [to] if I'm the only one?" Jesus himself, however, empathizes with their fear, as he, too, did not look forward to the kind of death he faced, but "Still I mush obey, Still I must invite."
  
  Jesus then speaks to his father in prayer, echoing his thoughts in Matthew 26:38, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
  
  Stanza 2 -
  A recently murdered Christ reflects. The embarrassment of being crucified and yet innocent (dressed in white). Perhaps questioning if his disciples will "take your time" in loosing faith and simply wait... for the ressurection. But still, "even if I come back, even if I die" (as in remain dead), will my life live on through the faith/lives/thoughts/ideas of my followers?
  
  Not too sure about the next 4 lines, haha. But i do think this time Jesus is saying he will do anything for his followers, where as the first time he was talking to the Father.
  
  Stanza 3 -
  A post-resurrection Jesus now speaks to all believers. He has called all of us to be preachers (as in to proclaim the good news: He did everything for us). He has also called us sons of God, whether we know our earthly father or not. Jesus then sings a song of assurance.
  
  He closes by singing a song of urgency, "Consider what I have done. Follow me. I did done everything for you."
  __________________________________________
  
  Option 2: Each stanza is from a different person
  
  Stanza 1 - Words of a mother to her male child (oldest perhaps)
  She is the only one to call him and his sibling(s) "children", and she is the only one to call him son. What response is he expected to have if she is the only parent, serving both roles?
  
  Stanza 2 - From a deceased father to his son
  
  Stanza 3 - Jesus to that same child
  
  Closing - Mother, Father and Jesus all sing in unison.
  __________________________________________
  
  And for those that are curious, I do believe in God and consider myself a follower of Jesus. The real question is would he consider me his follower? I think this song speaks to that question. Do I show my love for him by my love for widows and orphans? Claiming to follow Christ means nothing if he does not see himself in you (by your lifestyle). I completely understand the distaste many have for "Christians". On the behalf of everyone who confesses His name and yet does not follow his example, I apologize.

  Flag myklgon February 09, 2013   Link

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  General Comment:I'm glad i decided to read through some comments. Some great interpretations. I believe this song can be taken in two ways from a natural reading that also considers Sufjan's typical biblical undertones.
  
  Option 1: The song is completely the words of Christ
  Someone mentioned James 1:27, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world". I believe this is a great hint at the song title and "idea to replace Jesus' life".
  
  Stanza 1 -
  Jesus speaks to believers collectively and personally, primarily to comfort. Likely from the perspective of the pre-crucified Jesus, and spoken to the Twelve. The bible often mentions the disciples' dread of Jesus's frequent mention of his own death (Matthew 16:21-22). He comforts them by providing the perspective they should have, "What [authority] is there to answer [to] if I'm the only one?" Jesus himself, however, empathizes with their fear, as he, too, did not look forward to the kind of death he faced, but "Still I mush obey, Still I must invite."
  
  Jesus then speaks to his father in prayer, echoing his thoughts in Matthew 26:38, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
  
  Stanza 2 -
  A recently murdered Christ reflects. The embarrassment of being crucified and yet innocent (dressed in white). Perhaps questioning if his disciples will "take your time" in loosing faith and simply wait... for the ressurection. But still, "even if I come back, even if I die" (as in remain dead), will my life live on through the faith/lives/thoughts/ideas of my followers?
  
  Not too sure about the next 4 lines, haha. But i do think this time Jesus is saying he will do anything for his followers, where as the first time he was talking to the Father.
  
  Stanza 3 -
  A post-resurrection Jesus now speaks to all believers. He has called all of us to be preachers (as in to proclaim the good news: He did everything for us). He has also called us sons of God, whether we know our earthly father or not. Jesus then sings a song of assurance.
  
  He closes by singing a song of urgency, "Consider what I have done. Follow me. I did done everything for you."
  __________________________________________
  
  Option 2: Each stanza is from a different person
  
  Stanza 1 - Words of a mother to her male child (oldest perhaps)
  She is the only one to call him and his sibling(s) "children", and she is the only one to call him son. What response is he expected to have if she is the only parent, serving both roles?
  
  Stanza 2 - From a deceased father to his son
  
  Stanza 3 - Jesus to that same child
  
  Closing - Mother, Father and Jesus all sing in unison.
  __________________________________________
  
  And for those that are curious, I do believe in God and consider myself a follower of Jesus. The real question is would he consider me his follower? I think this song speaks to that question. Do I show my love for him by my love for widows and orphans? Claiming to follow Christ means nothing if he does not see himself in you (by your lifestyle). I completely understand the distaste many have for "Christians". On the behalf of everyone who confesses His name and yet does not follow his example, I apologize.

  Flagged myklgon February 09, 2013   Link

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    wow what you said in the end of your post really hit me hard... ive grown up in a christian home and always claimed to be a christian but i was never living my life for Him and what you just said opened my eyes that i need to change drastically and live for Him and let his love shine through me!

    Flag turb0man14on March 03, 2013  
• 0
  My Interpretation:I'm glad i decided to read through some comments. Some great interpretations. I believe this song can be taken in two ways from a natural reading that also considers Sufjan's typical biblical undertones.
  
  Option 1: The song is completely the words of Christ
  Someone mentioned James 1:27, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world". I believe this is a great hint at the song title and "idea to replace Jesus' life".
  
  Stanza 1 -
  Jesus speaks to believers collectively and personally, primarily to comfort. Likely from the perspective of the pre-crucified Jesus, and spoken to the Twelve. The bible often mentions the disciples' dread of Jesus's frequent mention of his own death (Matthew 16:21-22). He comforts them by providing the perspective they should have, "What [authority] is there to answer [to] if I'm the only one?" Jesus himself, however, empathizes with their fear, as he, too, did not look forward to the kind of death he faced, but "Still I mush obey, Still I must invite."
  
  Jesus then speaks to his father in prayer, echoing his thoughts in Matthew 26:38, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
  
  Stanza 2 -
  A recently murdered Christ reflects. The embarrassment of being crucified and yet innocent (dressed in white). Perhaps questioning if his disciples will "take your time" in loosing faith and simply wait... for the ressurection. But still, "even if I come back, even if I die" (as in remain dead), will my life live on through the faith/lives/thoughts/ideas of my followers?
  
  Not too sure about the next 4 lines, haha. But i do think this time Jesus is saying he will do anything for his followers, where as the first time he was talking to the Father.
  
  Stanza 3 -
  A post-resurrection Jesus now speaks to all believers. He has called all of us to be preachers (as in to proclaim the good news: He did everything for us). He has also called us sons of God, whether we know our earthly father or not. Jesus then sings a song of assurance.
  
  He closes by singing a song of urgency, "Consider what I have done. Follow me. I did done everything for you."
  __________________________________________
  
  Option 2: Each stanza is from a different person
  
  Stanza 1 - Words of a mother to her male child (oldest perhaps)
  She is the only one to call him and his sibling(s) "children", and she is the only one to call him son. What response is he expected to have if she is the only parent, serving both roles?
  
  Stanza 2 - From a deceased father to his son
  
  Stanza 3 - Jesus to that same child
  
  Closing - Mother, Father and Jesus all sing in unison.
  __________________________________________
  
  And for those that are curious, I do believe in God and consider myself a follower of Jesus. The real question is would he consider me his follower? I think this song speaks to that question. Do I show my love for him by my love for widows and orphans? Claiming to follow Christ means nothing if he does not see himself in you (by your lifestyle). I completely understand the distaste many have for "Christians". On the behalf of everyone who confesses His name and yet does not follow his example, I apologize.

  Flagged myklgon February 09, 2013   Link

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    Do not apologize for us. It is no different than Christians judging every atheist by the actions of a few. God created us fallible. We are supposed to make mistakes and sin. It's how we handle those sins (repenting, trying not to repeat them, etc) that counts. Your interpretation is, of course, intellectually stimulating (as it usually is), but any "distaste" for Christians usually deals with religious bigotry, which in today's secualar world has become constant and acceptable. There is but one Jesus. The rest of us Chritians are humans who sometimes fail miserably and sometimes do what's right (by Him). An atheist's only guide is himself, and if you look at leaders across the world and from the past, you may see why I'd much rather take my chances with Christians.

    Flag IllToast2Thaton February 24, 2013  
• 0
  General Comment:He says fuck you three four
  
  the song is in four four
  
  I think he is not a Christian.

  Flag bkabbotton January 23, 2013   Link

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    Or he was paid.

    Flag bkabbotton January 23, 2013  
• 0
  General Comment:This is a Christian song. Anyone who doesn't understand this song is a moron.
  
  The Catholics used to repeat a term Repetition is the Key to Success.
  
  It is repeated in this song.

  Flag bkabbotton January 23, 2013   Link

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  General Comment:I am not a particularly religious person, but as far as I can tell, this is (to me) a conversation between Jesus and a husband in heaven who was separated from his family by death and is waiting to find out if he will go back to earth and his partner, or stay.
  
  In the first stanza, Jesus explains that he is bound by the ways of the universe, and that he wants to offer comfort to these people parted from those they love. There is a great deal of gentleness in this stanza, as well as the chorus.
  
  In the second stanza, the husband is left feeling awkward and small before the enormity of what he is experiencing. He asks if he can offer a part of himself (perhaps an injury rather than death) so he can take his time with his family back on earth. He then asks, even if he dies, if there is something that can replace his life in the hearts of those he left.
  
  In the final part of the song, Jesus answers that love remains- in his partner's mourning, in the people who were around him. He shows him that he shares his gift with everyone, even to the fatherless (the husband's child among them). That gift is the idea that replaces the man's life.
  
  The song closes with the reassurance that Jesus has done everything he can for him and the others left behind.
  
  I think this song is tremendously sad, but comforting. There is a powerful reassurance and kindness in the words that really resonates with me, as well as a longing on the part of the man in heaven. We grieve here for separation from those we love, but I think the same is true for those who leave before us and wait for us. And regardless of your faith, the idea that there is time for a conversation about that loss and reassurance from your God is really powerful.
  
  I also find it interesting that there are no demands made- just a clear repetition that the actions to help have already been taken. This isn't a conversion song- I think the fact that the conversation is occurring is evidence enough that faith was present in the man- but it is a reminder, filled with love and the empathy for grief.
  
  It reminds us to be patient. It reminds us to understand that we are protected, and that, though we may die, the people we leave behind have more to find as well.

  Flag tabeecheyon September 16, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:most of sufjans songs have religious undertones you guys. at the same time though you can find alternate meanings. this song can be seen as a song for jesus (if you believe in him), or if youre a secularist you can see it as a love song to a girl. either way is equally valid

  Flag bentsporkon August 29, 2011   Link

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  Song Meaning:This song is defiantly NOT about Jesus. Not that I have anything again that religion. But Upon attending a college football game (Michigan State I think it was)Sufjan Stevens saw a lot of mothers and children but no husbands/fathers present. This reminded Sufjan of a town back in WWII that had a lot of windows and fatherless children as a result of men losing their lives in the war. Thus he wrote: "For the Windows in Paradise; For the fatherless in Ypsilanti". The title kind of gives it away but I also read about this recently.

  Flag tarakelsoon June 14, 2011   Link

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