Lyrics for Moment Of Surrender as interpreted by suede67

Moment Of Surrender Lyrics
I tied myself with wire
To let the horses run free
Playing with the fire until the fire played with me
The stone was semi-precious
We were barely conscious
Two souls too smart to be in the realm of certainty
Even on our wedding day

We set ourselves on fire
Oh God, do not deny her
It's not if I believe in love
But if love believes in me
Oh, believe in me

At the moment of surrender
I folded to my knees
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me

I've been in every black hole
At the altar of the dark star
My body's now a begging bowl
That's begging to get back, begging to get back
To my heart
To the rhythm of my soul
To the rhythm of my unconsciousness
To the rhythm that yearns
To be released form control

I was punching in the numbers at the ATM machine
I could see in the reflection
A face staring back at me
At the moment of surrender
Of vision over visibility
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me

I was speeding on the subway
Through the stations of the cross
Every eye looking every other way
Counting down 'til the pain would stop

At the moment of surrender
Of vision over visibility
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me

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Marcos99
11-18-2009

Rated 0 
I don't buy that it's not specifically about heroin. To me, it sound just like Running to Stand Still which was about a couple on heroin. Sounds like it's about a couple who do heroin together. Makes me wonder if Bono had a relationship like that even though he said Running to Stand Still was about another couple.

The stuff about "tied myself with wire" is clearly a tying yourself off reference to IV drug use and "we were barely conscious" is a reference to the "nod" that Heroin users experience when going through life. Not noticing the passers by could be two things. 1) when you're high on heroin you are in a dream like state and don't care about people around you or notice things that bother others, or 2) at that "moment of surrender" God speaks to you so strongly that you are all alone experiencing something so powerfull and don't care who else is around.

The interesting thing to me is that it's unclear whether Bono himself was addicted to heroin but it's such a common theme throughout their music that it's clearly impacted him tremendously.

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irishkev
10-04-2009

Rated 0 
To me it is surrendering to the grief of losing my brother this week

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xmanInVA
10-03-2009

Rated 0 
Yall, why can't it be about drug, love and god? Let me explain in a summary and section by section. I can be wrong but this is fun to think about. This guy is a drug addict that is begging God to forgive his dead wife who was also a drug addict. He reaches an epiphany when he goes to the atm to get money for more drugs. That epiphany is the moment of surrender when he sees a vision of what happened as a consequence of the drug.

[This part is obviously about drug...heroin]
I tied myself with wire
To let the horses run free
Playing with the fire until the fire played with me

[rememnicensing about wife and their addictive lives]
The stone was semi-precious
We were barely conscious
Two souls too smart to be in the realm of certainty
Even on our wedding day

[both of them on drug and begging God to forgive death wife]
We set ourselves on fire
Oh God, do not deny her
It's not if I believe in love
But if love believes in me
Oh, believe in me

At the moment of surrender
I folded to my knees
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me

[the drug world and how he feels][wanting to go back to normal]
I've been in every black hole
At the altar of the dark star
My body's now a begging bowl
That's begging to get back, begging to get back
To my heart
To the rhythm of my soul
To the rhythm of my unconsciousness
To the rhythm that yearns
To be released form control

[This part is the epiphany that he saw his death wife in the reflection when he attempted to get more money for the drug.]
I was punching in the numbers at the ATM machine
I could see in the reflection
A face staring back at me
At the moment of surrender

[This is his vision not what he actually see. It's all in his head, nobody notice anything and he certainly don't notice anyone cuz he in reaching an ephiphany.]
Of vision over visibility
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me


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mpmc23
09-19-2009

Rated 0 
The marriage/sexuality thread of this song demands more attention, in my opinion.

A lot of good thoughts here. U2 does engage religious imagery constantly and clearly. But this dimension, though quite important, is overemphasized (equally clearly and constantly) by many people who care deeply for their music.

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gjack2211
09-19-2009

Rated 0 
The longest and "most likely to be played in a lounge atmosphere" song of the album, (besides Cedars of Lebanon that I consider more of a poem than song) very close to my favorite. Adam is the backbone of so many of their songs, but I think it really sticks out in this one. He sets the dark, mysterious mood with that bass groove. The songs seems to be about that final moment when physical pain recedes, the moment of death? The most crucial part coming when Bono says the body is wishing it were back in a healthy state...

To the rhythm of my soul
To the rhythm of my consciousness
To the rhythm that yearrrrns (a great display of Bono's "opera voice" on yearrrrns and should put to rest any ridiculous rumors that the man’s voice is gone (Conjured up by that moron on that English radio station, I believe, where Bono called in to defend himself. I don’t even know how that’s remotely true. Bono’s vocals are at their usual awesomeness through the whole album.)

Looks to be the closest song on the album that brushes up with and a possible "end", and challenges the ongoing infinity theme of the album. An actual line on the horizon?

I was punching in the numbers

At the ATM machine… (a final withdraw)

I was speeding on the subway

Through the stations of the cross (nice play on words using another biblical reference)
Every eye looking every other way
Counting down till the pain will stop

I also enjoy Edge's backup vocals, which for some reason I pay more attention to than Bono's lead when they sing:

I did not notice the passers by
And they did not notice me

At 6:15, Edge really hits the guitar taking you by surprise, or as I like to imagine it, ripping the floor out from under you. That’s the Edge taking us for magic carpet ride.

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gjack2211
09-19-2009

Rated 0 
The longest and "most likely to be played in a lounge atmosphere" song of the album, my favorite one on the record. Adam is the backbone of so many of their songs, but I think it really sticks out in this one. He sets the dark, mysterious mood with that bass groove. The songs seems to be about that final moment when physical pain recedes, the moment of death? The most crucial part coming when Bono says the body is wishing it were back in a healthy state...

To the rhythm of my soul
To the rhythm of my consciousness
To the rhythm that yearrrrns (a great display of Bono's "opera voice" on yearrrrns and should put to rest any ridiculous rumors that the man’s voice is gone (Conjured up by that moron on that English radio station, I believe, where Bono called in to defend himself. I don’t even know how that’s remotely true. Bono’s vocals are at their usual awesomeness through the whole album.)

Looks to be the closest song on the album that brushes up with and a possible "end", and challenges the ongoing infinity theme of the album. An actual line on the horizon?

I was punching in the numbers

At the ATM machine… (a final withdraw)

I was speeding on the subway

Through the stations of the cross (nice play on words using another biblical reference)
Every eye looking every other way
Counting down till the pain will stop

I also enjoy Edge's backup vocals, which for some reason I pay more attention to than Bono's lead when they sing:

I did not notice the passers by
And they did not notice me

At 6:15, Edge really hits the guitar taking you by surprise, or as I like to imagine it, ripping the floor out from under you. That’s the Edge taking us for a ride.

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enriquedelayeurrea
09-08-2009

Rated 0 
I think this song is about realizing
that many times in the life
we fell in a vice like love, drugs, games, religion...
without even getting notice
so as you arent notice
you cant control yourself
For example

Playing with the fire till the fire plays with me

The vision over visivility

Is not if i believe in live, but if love believes in me


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sidhartha
07-27-2009

Rated 0 
Dingdongs,

This song is clearly about Anankin Skywalker and Darth Vader. Bono's son was really into Star Wars during the making of NLOTH.

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bhughes
06-22-2009

Rated 0 
i also think that this song is about marriage and self-discovery, that the last line in first verse should be taken literally, and that it is autobiographical in a sense. Bono and Allie were married young (just like i was). I also take the "stone was semi-precious" line literally also, because he couldn't afford a more expensive engagement ring at the time (same here too). While he was young and naive and may not have fully understood their commitment at first, he's reflecting back on it now and truly appreciates their love, sees it clearly (vision over visibility) like a moment of clarity (and while he may yearn for some of that initial innocent naivete of young love back), he appreciates what he has and has surrendered to this love.
This album as a whole is not a favorite of mine but i think the first 3 tracks are excellent and fresh, as well as fez. A lot of the other tracks seem derivative of the previous couple albums.

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kelseyman
05-29-2009

Rated 0 
I was punching in the numbers at the ATM machine
I could see in the reflection
A face staring back at me

This made me think of 1 Corinthians 13: 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

In the moment of surrender we come to know.

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mgaspence
05-17-2009

Rated 0 
The drug references are clear but in this instance the drug is life itself. We don't know ourselves in our own reflections.
"folded to my knees" Kneeling before Christ
If we use our vision in daily life, rather than focussing on the visible, we might notice the passer-by is Christ.

The song describes the bowels of despair: "been in every blackhole, at the alter of the darkstar." Its the personal journey of ones own "stations of the Cross." This man "played with fire" that is, sinned and is "begging to get back," begging for forgiveness before the subway of life stops.

The song is about repentance: being sorry for ones sins and asking for forgiveness and salvation.

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lengthwise24
05-13-2009

Rated 0 
no doubt its about heroin

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thejrock
05-09-2009

Rated 0 
I think it is an "explanation" of a profound mystical experience. It is very difficult to put an experience like that into words, so a description of the disorientation which surrounds it takes its place - which I think U2 did most excellently.

"The stone was semi-precious, we were barely conscious, two souls too smart to be in the realm of certainty, even on our wedding day" speaks to me of the alchemical marriage: and the quest for the Philosopher's Stone...yet the culmination of their efforts stopped at attaining the "semi precious" stone - they couldn't recognize the transformative step they needed to take beyond, because their "eyes were on the "prize" ". In an academic approach, nothing is ever certain, so there is a denial of the true reality even when it is staring at you in the face (the wedding day).

The whole album to me is a mystical quest. This theme carries through in the 5th track, "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" in its lyrics, most significantly: "How can you stand next to the truth and not see it?"...and in the opening line: "She's a rainbow and she loves the peaceful life": that is Wisdom ie. The Philosopher's (lover of wisdom) Stone. ;)

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Soulfire4u
03-30-2009

Rated 0 
I think Bono material is so suitably vague that it can apply to whatever vice you are addicted to and dealing with :-)

I love the melody coupled with great base and lead guitar but I do find the lyrics depressing. The reason being that I am in a similar situation myself where recently I have become far more conscious of my past sins and now at 45 taking a hard look at what I've done but have to let go of them by confessing to God and moving on. We're only human :-S

From my pespective, Moment of Surrender is a very spiritual song with many different dimensions and depths. I had a completely different view of U2's BAD until retzo mentioned that it was about Heroin. When I heard the track as a lad, I applied it to the troubles in Nortern Ireland therefore Bono lyrics can be as cryptic as the bible. But Bono does seem to provide us with a link to God in his own way that is very powerful as his message is based on real life not a pious priest pontificating from the pulpit.

Maybe Bono's Moment of Surrender could be the preamble to the following - http://www.catholicplanet.com/secrets/garabandal-warning.htm So we are accountable for our sins. Please bear in mind all that I am not some religious fuddy duddy but I hope that I am reasonably well informed and have a conscience.

Thanks for all the comments.

Soulfire4u

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FriendOfLuke
03-29-2009

Rated 0 
Those who see the junkie references are accurate in the literal sense. The addiction reference is a metaphor for anyone seeking to fill the void in their life through earthly pursuits. If money is your god then the ATM is your altar. You can attempt filling this chasm with good acts, money, sex or drugs, but nothing we do will be enough. The lucky among us will receive vision above visibility and recognize our folly for what it is. Our only true option is to surrender. To accept God as our savior and to ask Him into our hearts. At this moment of surrender we are justified. The burden is lifted. We call to Him and He answers and tells us great and unsearchable things we did not know (Jeremiah 33:3). We will also realize that our life is His, and that we were born to sing for Him. The Magnificent.

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RayMan
03-28-2009

Rated 0 
For me, the crux of the meaning of this track occurs at:

"I was punching in the numbers at the ATM machine
I could see in the reflection
A face staring back at me
At the moment of surrender
Of vision over visibility..."

Vision over visibility. Visually there's nothing special here... unless you are aware of the VISION of prophecy about this event. Almost 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ revealed to His favourite disciple, St. John, that a day would come when nobody in this world would be able to buy or sell without first receiving a mark or number:

"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." - Rev. 13:16-17

I think about this every time I use an ATM. The first thing I do is insert my "number" (on my card) with my RIGHT HAND. But this alone isn't enough. I still cannot make a financial transaction until I enter another NUMBER... my PIN (Personal Identification Number), which only exists in one place... in MY FOREHEAD. It sends chills down my spin every time I do it, because it makes me realize that Jesus KNEW this 2000 years ago... JESUS IS GOD. My moment of surrender.

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retzo
03-21-2009

Rated 0 
For me, the lyrics speak to getting over an addiction. The addiction is not necessarily herion or drugs....like in Bad. It is whatever addiction haunts your soul and consciousness. Addictions of any sort take you "out of the moment".....they make you go thru life with blinders on. The moment of surrender is a state of complete consciousness. Complete self-awareness.

When you enter this state, you see beauty in things that normally do not....the beauty is overwhelming and it flows thru your soul. You want others to share in the experience.

We visibly see things evey day.....but do not really see how great they are. When people are completely conscious/self aware, they see beyond the mundane. They see beauty. Vision over visibilty is a powerful message, and it is a message of hope.

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ptanzola
03-21-2009

Rated 0 
This song is clearly about winning a bronze medal in the shotput in the 1984 Summer Olympics.

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AnthonyE33
03-15-2009

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I think it's about suicide too. But Christian suicide. It says repeatedly in the Bible, and Bono has said repeatedly in his songs (including the song "Surrender" on War) to die to yourself (he says this in "Breathe" too). Of course, this dying to yourself is a spiritual death, not necessarily a physical one. To me, the song is about giving up control of your life to God, so its not about suicide and uncertainty and hopelessness, its about suicide and uncertainty and hopelessness as regards to yourself. You SURRENDER to God, not death and despair.

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ecogirl20
03-12-2009

Rated 0 
I can't say for certain what these lyrics mean substantively, but I can say what they mean to me. I was horribly depressed, and for me, the moment of surrender is that moment when you decide to change your life. It's the moment of no return, where you either give in to suicide or you decide to move on and get help.

I cried the first time I heard this song, the lyrics "I did not notice the passers-by, and they did not notice me" was how I felt while being so depressed. I felt detached from the world, living life but not really LIVING it... until my moment of surrender, when I realized that I had to get help to re-join the world.

The moment of surrender doesn't necessarily have to mean that you surrender to suicide... to me, it means that you surrender to the will to live, which in a lot of ways is harder to do.

Just my opinion.

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malonesnoogie
03-11-2009

Rated 0 
unknown caller is the sequel to this song as the junkie character meanders through the early morning hours, calls up for more dope, and finds himself in the presence of the lord through text messages. the lyric that mentions the time, 3:33, is a reference to Jeremiah 33:3. Read it and u will understand.

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ablecain
03-10-2009

Rated 0 
There are so many ways that this song can be interpreted, but for me, it's about loneliness and finding God to overcome that loneliness. It's about feeling like nobody notices you and trying so hard, over and over again, to come out of that loneliness and find a way to be loved (because that's all we really want, when it comes down to it, right?). I'm just not sure where the song culminates. Like, where the revelatory point is... But I can see the moment of surrender being the point where you just give up and surrender to Christ rather than searching fruitlessly in the material world (which would explain "vision over visibility").

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TomServo11
03-10-2009

Rated 0 
I interpret the song as dealing with the void inside all of us that we try to fill. The character in the song tries to fill it with drugs (the first verse) and even another person (the wedding day references and the second verse). He then moves on to science (the stars and black holes) and to money (at the ATM machine). His final stop and ultimate "surrender" is to spirituality (the stations of the cross).

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tylerd5
03-09-2009

Rated 0 
I hate to do this because the song works on so many levels but B did mention one of the characters on the album was a junkie and I think I got this one. I thought it was about how fame changed him at first but....

I tied myself with wire--tying arm to shoot up
To let the horses run free--horse, another name for heroin
Playing with the fire until the fire played with me-you have to cook heroin
The stone was semi-precious--heroin is a rock
We were barely conscious--um, yeah
Two souls too smart to be in the realm of certainty--people often talk about their drug as a love affair
Even on our wedding day--first time he tried heroin

So is the moment of surrender to the drug or to God once the character's addicted?


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vicci3376
03-06-2009

Rated 0 
Awesome song. I feel that this is the continuation of until the end of the world- i feel it depicts the final thoughts of Judas Iscariot prior to hanging himself.

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