This song is obviously about the death of one of his childhood friends. I can be sure that this song is not about any one single emotion, (anger, sadness, etc.) because death is never simple. Sufjan uses a beautiful vagueness in all of the details he uses in this song. For example, I don't believe that Goldenrod and the 4H stone are intended to be delved into too deeply, but are intended to be some sort of nostalgic items which, I would guess, the speaker (Sufjan) and his girl friend both associated memories with. Sufjan's story-telling is really brilliant in this song. He omits large amounts of contextual information, but allows what is important to rise out of the details- I remember at Michael's house/In the living room when you kissed my neck/And I almost touched your blouse. I love how he skips around chronologically with each set of verses, because it makes the song feel very reminiscent, like he is sorting through memories. From the details of the lyrics there is confusion, fear, and anger that is evoked in perfect proportions. The theme of her father seems to indicate that he was abusive or at least negligent. He stands next to the other father referred to, God, with whom he is to be contrasted and compared. This is a really great move that Sufjan makes. Both are tied up with fear and the unknown, but the girl's father is essentially brought to his knees (at the navy yard) whereas God the Father has his character resolved quite differently. All the fear and pain come together and intersect with the repeated claims of glory as Sufjan is touched by God's confusing, awesome, and painful redemption.
All the glory when He took our place
But He took my shoulders and He shook my face
And He takes and He takes and He takes
@speakforthwords -- This is one of the best written synapses of the song - nice work. Although, I think the interpretation of her father, might be slightly off. I don't really get the "abusive or at least negligent". To me, it seems more of a strict and religious father, whom she would never want to know what happened between her and Sufjan. Not necessarily a sinister figure or situation, but she's definitely in deep trouble.
@speakforthwords -- This is one of the best written synapses of the song - nice work. Although, I think the interpretation of her father, might be slightly off. I don't really get the "abusive or at least negligent". To me, it seems more of a strict and religious father, whom she would never want to know what happened between her and Sufjan. Not necessarily a sinister figure or situation, but she's definitely in deep trouble.
Having grown up in a similar household, I was petrified of disappointing my parents and/or the punishments that came along with it, thus "scared", but never actually scared for my physical well-being. Maybe I'm naive, or maybe I'm inserting a little personal narrative into it.
This song is obviously about the death of one of his childhood friends. I can be sure that this song is not about any one single emotion, (anger, sadness, etc.) because death is never simple. Sufjan uses a beautiful vagueness in all of the details he uses in this song. For example, I don't believe that Goldenrod and the 4H stone are intended to be delved into too deeply, but are intended to be some sort of nostalgic items which, I would guess, the speaker (Sufjan) and his girl friend both associated memories with. Sufjan's story-telling is really brilliant in this song. He omits large amounts of contextual information, but allows what is important to rise out of the details- I remember at Michael's house/In the living room when you kissed my neck/And I almost touched your blouse. I love how he skips around chronologically with each set of verses, because it makes the song feel very reminiscent, like he is sorting through memories. From the details of the lyrics there is confusion, fear, and anger that is evoked in perfect proportions. The theme of her father seems to indicate that he was abusive or at least negligent. He stands next to the other father referred to, God, with whom he is to be contrasted and compared. This is a really great move that Sufjan makes. Both are tied up with fear and the unknown, but the girl's father is essentially brought to his knees (at the navy yard) whereas God the Father has his character resolved quite differently. All the fear and pain come together and intersect with the repeated claims of glory as Sufjan is touched by God's confusing, awesome, and painful redemption.
All the glory when He took our place But He took my shoulders and He shook my face And He takes and He takes and He takes
@speakforthwords -- This is one of the best written synapses of the song - nice work. Although, I think the interpretation of her father, might be slightly off. I don't really get the "abusive or at least negligent". To me, it seems more of a strict and religious father, whom she would never want to know what happened between her and Sufjan. Not necessarily a sinister figure or situation, but she's definitely in deep trouble.
@speakforthwords -- This is one of the best written synapses of the song - nice work. Although, I think the interpretation of her father, might be slightly off. I don't really get the "abusive or at least negligent". To me, it seems more of a strict and religious father, whom she would never want to know what happened between her and Sufjan. Not necessarily a sinister figure or situation, but she's definitely in deep trouble.
Having grown up in a similar household, I was petrified of disappointing my parents and/or the punishments that came along with it, thus "scared", but never actually scared for my physical well-being. Maybe I'm naive, or maybe I'm inserting a little personal narrative into it.