Anberlin – Paperthin Hymn

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  General Comment:Singer Stephen Christian said the song was inspired the troubles of his guitarist Joseph Milligan.
  
  "Right at the time the album was being written, the guitarist Joey Milligan, his sister had passed away from cancer, and she was very young. She was only 29 years old, she had a one-and-a-half year old son and it really, really, just affected the band. It felt like a giant weight was placed on our chest the entire time we were recording."
  
  Christian added that the song conjured up powerful experiences of his own.
  
  "So, while I was writing that song, the memory of my Grandmother and also the circumstances that were surrounding us in the studio really made it almost a necessity to write a song getting that off our chests and really showing the listener what we were going through. So, out of that was derived the song, 'The Paperthin Hymn.'"
  
  source: artisannews.com/ans101/templates/…
  
  
  And as for the people that keep saying the beginning of the song has ANYTHING to do with sex. Yall need to GROW UP and quit being naive. Not every song written has to be crude.

  Flag bmck15on October 25, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:At first when listening to this song I assumed that he said "complaints of VIOLENCE becomes my only friend," but now that I listen it could be violins. Does anyone know the significance of violins in the lyrics? I can't figure it out.

  Flag mikeconsolion July 28, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:I love htis song so much.
  -Vee<3

  Flag HiImVeeon May 20, 2011   Link

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    *this:p

    Flag HiImVeeon May 20, 2011  
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  General Comment:the video is more like the girl is dreaming the whole time about good times with the significant other in the hospital. but then she wakes up in the hospital, and he's on the other bed dying. u dont know that till you actually pay attention to the end where she opens her eyes.

  Flag blc43519on November 14, 2010   Link

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    That's to symbolize wishing that you could take a suffering loved one's place I believe.

    Flag NReguinon April 21, 2013  
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  Song Meaning:Ok first off The lead singer stated "We are not a christian band but if our music leads people to Christianity, great!" and second off the song is about the guitarist's siter who died of cancer at 29.

  Flag AnarexicElephanton May 31, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:This is one of those beautifully worded songs that it could mean multiple things, depending on whoever is listening..
  This will sound kind of cheesey, but to me, it's about my ex boyfriend. He broke up with me, and later as I was listening to Anberlin, I came across this song. The words, "i thought you said forever over and over." just killed me inside. So many thoughts came to mind, just that I know that it obviously wouldn't last forever, but at the same time, WHY NOT?
  Every time I hear this song now, I just get those same thoughts. And while I know that I'm over him, this song is just.. very hard to describe while doing the song justice.
  And the "to put my arms in fragile hands," part to me is not refering to 'arms' as the ones that we have, but 'arms' as in 'weapons' (like when the police say to drop arms).. If you part your arms in fragile hands, it's very easy for that person to manipulate and hurt you.
  
  
  Wow. I feel suddenly enlightened.
  
  Oh yeah, one more thing -
  I found a quote (don't quote me on this) of Christian talking about the band, and he said something *along the lines* of, Anberlin as people are Christians, but a band cannot possibley be a Christian.
  
  Okay, I'm done now, I could go on forever. :3

  Flag AdiosHurricaneon September 06, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:the lyric about the "hotel rooms" isn't a referecne to sex. it talking about a lost soul without a home or without meaning.
  
  I don't understand how anyone could think this is about sex when this song is so depressing.
  
  
  
  

  Flag DownsideToSuicideon July 15, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:People people...this song isn't about sex...the first line means that either this guy is poor or his friends are temporary....and that line that says "I thought you said forever, over and over" most likely means...the guy was promised that the girl would stay with him....it's about breaking a promise....not sex....think a little people....anyone agree with me?

  Flag allenohallenon May 15, 2009   Link

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    definitely agree with you, there is no way this song is about sex

    Flag iwnbts17on March 12, 2010  
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  General Comment:The song isn't about just one person in the band, it has a lot of meanings. It originally was about the guitarist's sister dying. Found that out first thing when it first came out. So four years later you can stop wondering. But all of Anberlin's songs are ambiguous so it doesn't have to be just one thing. That way it can either be their perspective of their faith or a relationship between people.
  So really, they may be Christian, but it totally depends on how you look at it. No need to write it off because it says "When life is in discord, praise ye the lord." A lot of people "pray" or ask god for help when they don't know what else to do because it's a last resort =P

  Flag lotusladyon April 23, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:i love this song. its even better live.

  Flag juliecantswimon April 20, 2009   Link

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