The line "wait in the fire" is a very Sufi idea, which shouldn't be surprising considering Buckley's love of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (according to wikipedia). Rumi, the most famous Islamic mystic, made this summary of his life, "And the result is not more than these three words: I burnt, and burnt, and burnt." The Sufis often say that their love for God is like a fire that cleanses the soul, burning away everything that is not God. And as the Sufi practices fine patience in the midst of this fire, the greater their ecstasy and nearness to God. Also, the miracle of love can't come from the lover, but enters from outside the lover, the lover being completely powerless, hence it's an act of grace that purifies and saves. It's such a beautiful idea put into an incredibly beautiful song.
and I forgot to mention about the line "drink a bit of wine we both might go tomorrow", the Sufis also say that being in love is like being intoxicated by wine, turning us from the side of reason and intellect (or the side that would say "I'm afraid to die") to the side of love and ecstasy (the side that would say "there is no me and you, only God").
and I forgot to mention about the line "drink a bit of wine we both might go tomorrow", the Sufis also say that being in love is like being intoxicated by wine, turning us from the side of reason and intellect (or the side that would say "I'm afraid to die") to the side of love and ecstasy (the side that would say "there is no me and you, only God").
Wouldn't drinking a bit of wine reference communion, especially since it is followed with "we both might go tomorrow." There's mention of bright lights; fire; and drowning one's name. I see lots of religious references.
Wouldn't drinking a bit of wine reference communion, especially since it is followed with "we both might go tomorrow." There's mention of bright lights; fire; and drowning one's name. I see lots of religious references.
The line "wait in the fire" is a very Sufi idea, which shouldn't be surprising considering Buckley's love of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (according to wikipedia). Rumi, the most famous Islamic mystic, made this summary of his life, "And the result is not more than these three words: I burnt, and burnt, and burnt." The Sufis often say that their love for God is like a fire that cleanses the soul, burning away everything that is not God. And as the Sufi practices fine patience in the midst of this fire, the greater their ecstasy and nearness to God. Also, the miracle of love can't come from the lover, but enters from outside the lover, the lover being completely powerless, hence it's an act of grace that purifies and saves. It's such a beautiful idea put into an incredibly beautiful song.
and I forgot to mention about the line "drink a bit of wine we both might go tomorrow", the Sufis also say that being in love is like being intoxicated by wine, turning us from the side of reason and intellect (or the side that would say "I'm afraid to die") to the side of love and ecstasy (the side that would say "there is no me and you, only God").
and I forgot to mention about the line "drink a bit of wine we both might go tomorrow", the Sufis also say that being in love is like being intoxicated by wine, turning us from the side of reason and intellect (or the side that would say "I'm afraid to die") to the side of love and ecstasy (the side that would say "there is no me and you, only God").
Wouldn't drinking a bit of wine reference communion, especially since it is followed with "we both might go tomorrow." There's mention of bright lights; fire; and drowning one's name. I see lots of religious references.
Wouldn't drinking a bit of wine reference communion, especially since it is followed with "we both might go tomorrow." There's mention of bright lights; fire; and drowning one's name. I see lots of religious references.