this song is absolutely a must download for every sufjan stevens listener. the musical arrangements on each of his songs are breathtaking..

I think this song, as the title suggests, is about working together to change a community or government.

"All good thoughts in spite of righteousness, is not the kind of thoughts in spite of greatness" means that it is not enough just to think good thoughts, no matter how "great" those thoughts might be.

"Often not the State is advocation, if we form a power of recognition." This means that if we work together we can change things even more so than the government (State).

He then laments our materialistic capitalistic outview on life. "All we praise is all we want in commerce. All we praise is parties, foreign commerce." The second line there refers to our reverence for political parties who will not make the kind of changes we want.

"Entertain ideas of great communion, shelter not materials in union. All we praise is not the kind of commerce. That's the right solution!" These lines say we must work together (communion) not for capitalist purposes (not materials) but for something other than "commerce," something greater and more important. That's the right solution!

Right on Sufjan!

Also the lyrics posted here are not complete. They continue on like this:

"All good thoughts is not the act of doing
What we want but what we should improving
Properties, ideas, a woman's pleasure
is empowered by love, a perfect measure!"

Nice interpretation, Lunatic. I agree.

i think this song really needs another comment right about now

this song was inspired by a time when sufjan was in high school marching band and they played on the capital steps...

i looooove the arrangement on this song.

these lyrics are wrong.. but i love this song and it needs more love and attention.

yay lunatic nice interpretation.

I agree with Suf. it has a kind of socialist/communalist bent to it... :)

this song is indescribable

I would love to hear this song accompanied by a marching band percussion section.

QUOTE: Raving Lunatic: "I think this song, as the title suggests, is about working together to change a community or government. "Entertain ideas of great communion, shelter not materials in union. All we praise is not the kind of commerce. That's the right solution!" These lines say we must work together (communion) not for capitalist purposes (not materials) but for something other than "commerce," something greater and more important. That's the right solution!"
_______________________________________________________________________________________

It was this response that made me want to reply.
I didn't like that anti-capitalist vibe Raving Lunatic sent. I want to point out Sufjan's EXACT words

-All we praise is not the kind of commerce That's the right solution!-

To me this is sarcastic, saying we never praise a type of commerce that has proven to work in past societies, we seem to only praise what is NOT THE KIND OF COMMERCE we should use. Example is raving lunatics picking and choosing the kind of commerce that is the problem.
And "Entertain ideas of great communion" mean to do simply that, entertain them, do not implement them, it is only an idea to work from. And "Shelter not materials in union" means to me, not to horde riches, but to have an entrepreneur type of spirit, of investment.


--"All Good Thoughts" In Spite Of Righteousness is not the Kind Of Thoughts In Spite Of Greatness.--

How can a "Good Thought" be in spite of righteousness? To me this seems like the "Good Thought" could be like a Robin Hood. On that it seems at first "Good" but isn't morally righteous, because he is stealing. Then Sufjan goes on to say these "Good Thoughts" are not in spite of greatness, meaning they are for becoming "Great". This means "Good Thoughts" without righteousness could lead to self exaltation.

--Often Now The State Is Advocation if We Form A Power Of Recognition.--

This is a statement for the naysayers to pay attention too, for it recognizes the State(Government) as a source of Advocation, an advocater is one that argues for a cause; a supporter or defender aka All Good Naysayers. Sufjan states often the state is of advocation if there is a power of recognition, like a historic figure of civil, and individual rights, (Righteousness) such as Gandhi, MLK, JFK, Ron Paul.


Yes i believe the lyrics state:
"Often Now The State Is Advocation
if We Form A Power Of Recognition."


-Properties, ideas, a woman's pleasure Is empowered by love, a perfect measure!-

Simply genius! The answer is love! lol