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I speak in many tongues of many men
Argue with angels and I always win
But I don't know the first thing about love
I prophesize and know all mysteries
All living things are opened up to me
But I don't know the first thing about love
Don't know the first thing about love
I have the keys to open any door
Give all my possessions to the poor
But I don't know the first thing about love
And moving mountains ain't a thing to me
Have faith enough to cast them to the sea
But I don't know the first thing about love
I don't know the first thing about love
All other things shall fade away
Love stands alone and still holds sway
All other things shall fade away
Into the ground into the grave
I give my body up into the flames
And never once have I denied your name
But I don't know the first thing about love
I don't know the first thing about love
I don't know the first thing about love
Argue with angels and I always win
But I don't know the first thing about love
I prophesize and know all mysteries
All living things are opened up to me
But I don't know the first thing about love
Don't know the first thing about love
I have the keys to open any door
Give all my possessions to the poor
But I don't know the first thing about love
And moving mountains ain't a thing to me
Have faith enough to cast them to the sea
But I don't know the first thing about love
I don't know the first thing about love
All other things shall fade away
Love stands alone and still holds sway
All other things shall fade away
Into the ground into the grave
I give my body up into the flames
And never once have I denied your name
But I don't know the first thing about love
I don't know the first thing about love
I don't know the first thing about love
Lyrics submitted by Thrice III
Track duration: 02:55
"Moving Mountains" as written by Dustin Michael Kensrue, Edward Carrington Breckenridge, James Riley Breckenridge, Teppei Teranishi
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I feel like this would be the one blues song God could sing. If you look at every verse, except the last, they are all things that only God could do (winning arguments with angels, moving mountains, knowing all mysteries, etc.) However, God may be a very lonely being. If you believe there is a God like what monotheistic religions present, then he is the ONLY God, meaning the only being like himself. So for God to actually relate to another being enough to feel the love that we may feel towards other people would be impossible. So basically, Dustin is taking on the perspective of God, and saying "I can do all these great, miraculous things that no human could ever do, but at the same time, I have no idea what it means to relate to and love another being."
I don't, however, see how the last verse could fit with this interpretation. The last verse is obviously from the perspective of a human, but I still don't believe the rest of the verses are. I also know that Dustin is a very religious man, and what I'm saying could be seen as blasphemous, but it doesn't have to be seen that way. Dustin has an amazing talent for taking on the perspective of someone/something else (Moths to Flame - the disciple Peter; Daedalus - Daedalus; Silver Wings - Air; many many others), so to imagine Dustin trying to take on the perspective of God isn't too far of a stretch for me.
Also, playing this song is amazing. If you play guitar, definitely try this one. One of my faves to play, along with A Song For Milly Michaelson.
anyone of any religion can take away a message from this song, along with many of his other songs that are more spiritual or philosophical. the only song i think he tries to be specific to christianity is like moths to flame.
Specific example, I am a Muslim, and all of his songs have never once reflected anything different than my faith. even if you aren't a specific religion, his lyrics can still be used in a metaphorical sense, which is why i think that he is able to write the best lyrics hands down.
I'm an atheist so first time through i thought it was critical of elitist secular types (paranoia. i guess maybe all christians don't hate atheists.). i thought the song was suggesting that "love" is sacrifice ie. jesus on the cross and that our love isn't comparable to his love but now i think the other interpretations sound more accurate. the idea that you could live by the rules but never feel the goodness behind them is probably the meaning.
1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.
(To be honest, I was hoping I'd have an excuse to add more on to my first comment lol).
Back to you, Sabio. Well, my impression was that the song was meant to point out the kinds of Christians out there who do all the good deeds that the Bible tellls them to do just to save themselves from going to Hell, when they should be giving to the poor and moving metaphorical mountains out of a love for doing good.
I do realize that the lyrics aren't specific enough for me to justify my argument and shoot yours down at the same time (and vice versa), though. Perhaps Dustin intended for this to be intepreted more like you have, and I'm just gathering conclusions that aren't there. Then again, the lyrics are just vague enough for one to argue for the opposite side. But who knows? Maybe even Dustin writes his songs open in order to inspire listeners like you and I to have these kinds of open-minded discussions?
Its upsetting to see how people try to conjure up as many ways as they can to eliminate the clear fact that Dustin's lyrical mechanics often coincide with his Christian believes. I believe this song was intended to spark different interpretations, and at the same time portray Dustin's love for Christianity.
"If I speak in the tounges of men and of angels, but not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."
-1 Corinthians 13:1-3
I know all of you have seen this reference before and at this point are sick of seeing it, but this correlation is too coincidental to be denied.
Dustin is just a normal lyricist who has an intelligent way to explain the ways that he constantly questions his own beliefs. The only smart way to follow a specific task or belief is through deep comprehension of that knowledge.
We should be accepting towards every belief because thats how we gain knowledge. I'm not trying to sound like I'm a know it all because a high percentage of users on this message board are a fuck ton smarter than I am. I just think its beautiful how Dustin motivates his listeners and how Thrice's music has always met the diversity of genres in which I enjoy listening to. For this I love Thrice, and they will always be an inspiration. If I ever get a chance to meet the members, (which I'm sure many of you have had the opportunity to do so), I would simply thank him for all of the confidence he and his band mates have given me for the way I express myself through music. I'm not sucking his dick or anything, but envy of ones artistic abilities and not their character is not a sin in my book.
All i have left to say is that Dustin has taught me to believe what I believe is what I most strongly believe in. "And all other things shall fade away."
But anyway, I am not sure that is what Dustin is talking about in this song. Yes, you may have your interpretation, and I respect you for it, but there are some holes in it that I don't quite agree with. For example, as a Christian, I think Dustin has a pretty good grasp on the Bible and what it asks of us as followers. So, I am pretty sure that he doesn't think the Bible does not wanting us giving up every aspect of our lives. I mean, Jesus gave us the ultimate gift, made the ultimate sacrifice, in order that we, who are so unworthy, might be saved. I think the least we can do in return is devote our lives, which are so temporal and will, without a doubt fade away. We are given eternal life because of Jesus. WE WILL LIVE FOREVER, and to refuse to give up the seventy or so years that we live on Earth is a slap in the face to God. The Bible definitely asks us to give up our lives (though we are not saved by it) and I am certain Dustin knows this.
I am not really sure what you are trying to say for the second part of your response though. Could you please clarify?