Sufjan Stevens – We Are What You Say

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  My Interpretation:I think that line is less about Mormons than you think it is, especially given the article used. "A" tabernacle choir is not necessarily (though is likely meant to evoke) "The" Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
  
  The real crux of the song is certainly a conflict between "us" and "them", but who are they (and we)? The "we" group is somewhat indistinct, which makes sense if Sufjan wants to include as many listeners as possible on that side. "We" are hardworking, righteous, and unified, whoever "we" are. The vilified others include the Bishop, the Acolyte, and one other: the Bride.
  
  Who is "the" Bride, in a Christian context? That's right, the Church (Ephesians 5:25-27)! That one short line, "the bride is a whore", tells you everything you need to know about the narrator's opinion of organized religion.
  
  This song is incredibly powerful, but I cannot agree with the choice of target for its venom.

  Flag qylvaranon April 22, 2009   Link

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  General Comment:Whoa Studio902. Mormons don't worship a different God than do Christians. Some Christians want to say that we are not Christians, though we believe and worship Jesus Christ and God only.
  I don't know if Sufjan's music is about Mormons. If it is, I have to say look at what perspective this is being written about. That might be the key to finding out. Then again, it would be better to get a more direct source.

  Flag ohsayon June 26, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:I am not sure what it means, but perhaps it could be as another writer said, a criticism of Mormonism. If Sufjan is a professing Christian it is likely that he realizes that Mormons worship a different god than do Christians, therefore the reference that the Bishop is wrong. Anyway, I am writing to answer the person who asked what acolyte shores are, and this is what I found out about acolyte:
  Acolyte
  From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  This article is about religious acolytes. For other uses, see Acolyte (disambiguation).
  In many Christian denominations, an acolyte is anyone who performs ceremonial duties such as lighting altar-candles. In other Christian Churches, the term is more specifically used for one who wishes to attain clergyhood.
  Etymology
  The word acolyte is derived from the Greek word akolouthos, meaning companion, attendant, or helper. The Acolyte ministry has its roots in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible, where the prophet Samuel is seen assisting Eli, the Levite priest , and Elisha is seen assisting Elijah the Prophet.
  So could the "acolyte shores" be a place where acolytes get their start?
  I hope this helps.

  Flag Studio902on April 28, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:Here are the exact lyrics for this song, transcribed from Sufjan's handwriting in the first pressing of the album. The lyrics are originally written without line breaks.
  
  we are what You say: we are a servant, we have a song, the side of a beehive, a tabernacle choir; we are the sound working in wars, the bishop is gone to the acolyte shores. We save our Bibles, we pull our sleeves. The word is a guard and the guard is a cleave. We are the right, we are the stay, the accolade's gone, we are what You say. We have no language, we have no chore, the side of a beehive, the bride is a whore. We are a spite, we are at bay, the Spirit is life, we are what You say. We have a sermon, we have a song, the bishop is easy the bishop is wrong, the Spirit is right the Spirit will say we are a light, we are what You say.

  Flag Periodixon May 23, 2007   Link

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  General Comment:what is the acolyte shore?

  Flag noclueon January 17, 2007   Link

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  General Comment:Seven Swans was his album. The Christian folk group he did lots of work with is the Danielson Familie. He works alot with Bro. Danielson (the mastermind behind the Danielson Familie). You can sense some of the influence of the Danielson Familie on some of his work.
  
  I like the idea that this may be about mormonism. It makes sense.

  Flag Yalegirl03on December 03, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:Seven Swans was his album. The Christian folk group he did lots of work with is the Danielson Familie. He works alot with Bro. Danielson (the mastermind behind the Danielson Familie). You can sense some of the influence of the Danielson Familie on some of his work.
  
  I like the idea that this may be about mormonism. It makes sense.

  Flag Yalegirl03on December 03, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:My, my. I agree with what most here have said about what this song means, so I won't talk about that. Just love this song.
  And dance away, PemberleyTea!

  Flag Crystal Disheson October 11, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:Many of Stevens' songs have religious or spiritual allusions, but he has stated that even though he is Christian, he does not want to overtly advertise this in his music. He did, however, do some work with the Seven Swans, a Christian folk group.

  Flag fhuasgladhon June 06, 2006   Link

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  General Comment:He seems to be quietly refering to the religion of Mormanism, maybe a little critique. Mormanism had changed over and over since Joseph Smith created back in the day. Sufjan seems to be telling the story.

  Flag Soundboyon May 06, 2006   Link

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