Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Cut these thorns and kick these stones and keep those birds at bay
Plant deep and dark and help my heart receive the words you say
The words you say, the words you say
The words you say are somehow lost on me they die on deafened ears
When you open up your mount to speak I hear but I can't hear
The words you say, hear the words you say, hear the words you say
I can't hear the words you say, hear the words you say
Pin me down, and take away this heart of stone
Wind and sound, awake my old dry bones
Cut these thorns and kick these stones and keep those birds at bay
Plant deep and dark, and help my heart perceive the light of day
I stumble through a darkened vale, with a veil cast over me
And cataracts, all is black, oh, I see but I can't see
The light of day, see the light of day, see the light of day
I can't see the light of day, see the light of day
I'll fight or run to keep from going under the knife
Don't let me slip away
'Cause though the blade is sharp, I know you're saving my life
Don't let me slip away
[Repeat: x3]
Pin me down, and take away this heart of stone
Wind and sounds, awake my old dry bones
Plant deep and dark and help my heart receive the words you say
The words you say, the words you say
The words you say are somehow lost on me they die on deafened ears
When you open up your mount to speak I hear but I can't hear
The words you say, hear the words you say, hear the words you say
I can't hear the words you say, hear the words you say
Pin me down, and take away this heart of stone
Wind and sound, awake my old dry bones
Cut these thorns and kick these stones and keep those birds at bay
Plant deep and dark, and help my heart perceive the light of day
I stumble through a darkened vale, with a veil cast over me
And cataracts, all is black, oh, I see but I can't see
The light of day, see the light of day, see the light of day
I can't see the light of day, see the light of day
I'll fight or run to keep from going under the knife
Don't let me slip away
'Cause though the blade is sharp, I know you're saving my life
Don't let me slip away
[Repeat: x3]
Pin me down, and take away this heart of stone
Wind and sounds, awake my old dry bones
Lyrics submitted by logswithmoss, edited by ChipperSpiff
Cataracts Lyrics as written by Edward Carrington Breckenridge Dustin Michael Kensrue
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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This song is so full of biblical allusions, where do I start? First, read Matthew 13. It is a parable of Jesus about a farmer who sows seeds in different places. The seed falls in some places where it is picked up by birds or choked out by weeds or has shallow roots in rocky soil. The seed that falls on good soil takes deep root and produces a good crop. Jesus ends the parable by saying "He who has ears, let him hear."
Jesus' disciples ask him about the parable and, quoting Isaiah, he tells them "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing they do not hear or understand."
The parable is about how one receives the gospel that Jesus preached. Some people will say that they believe, but the gospel is not sown deep inside of them. They quickly go back to living the same way they always have without the gospel. Jesus says over and over that those who truly believe will produce good fruit, meaning that their belief will be visible by the way that they live through their actions, their reverence for God, and how they treat other people.
This song is Dustin's cry out to Jesus that he be one of the ones who has the gospel planted deeply within himself. He also alludes the several other scriptures.
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26
Dustin knows God is going to do heart surgery on him. He tells God that he is going to fight against Him during this procedure, but he knows that it is for his good.
Later in the book of Ezekiel, chapter 37, God tells Ezekiel to prophesy to a valley that is full of dry bones.
"So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet–a vast army." (Ezekiel 37:7-10)
This story in Ezekiel follows the same theme that God is going to renew, restore, rebuild, resurrect His people.
The last allusion that I see in this song is that Jesus is the light of the world.
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."" (John 8:12)
And to those of you who complain that every Thrice song somehow comes back to a biblical interpretation...get over it! At least half of the songs Dustin writes make direct reference to biblical stories to the point that you can't call it a coincidence. Also, check out his list of favorite authors, which includes names like Lewis and Chesterton. No, not every Thrice song has a Christian theme (Yellow Belly, for example - at least not directly), but just because you don't believe in Christianity doesn't remove the prevalence of the Christian themes in Dustin's songs. Perhaps this song is for you. Sorry for the rant, but I see too many of those comments on Thrice songs.
Amen dude, the Christian allusions is one of the reasons I listen to Thrice! Dustin is a strong Christian man who is not ashamed of the Gospel Romans 1:16! He will be sometime next year leading worship at Mars Hill(Driscoll's not Bell's) out in Orange County California!
mtamerson, i do not deny nebodies faith or religion, although i have none for myself, but i think dustin purposefully writes in a way that it doesnt have to relate to the bible for other people. It can mean so much for many different people. He helps people perceive themselves through the lyrics(not actually giving a set meaning of a song, he has said many times how he intends on this) and if christianity is the way for you than you can also really relate.....All i know is dustin writes the best lyrics ive read or sang(christian undertone or not) thats all that matters in the world of music .. i have no idea what you are talking about biblically but his lyrics reach me and move me and i believe thats all that matters.
@mtamerson & @chubbstatubbs: That's why Thrice's songs have such reach... They do carry a message, and it's no coincidence that the lyrical content gets under the skin of so many. It is my opinion that the Gospel is being spread and implanted in the hearts of many through Dustin's lyrics. It's the Great Commission in action... modernized and completely relevant.
Favorite song on the new album(well tied for first). It seems to be about calling out for help.