I think Audiophile65 is on the right track, and I don't know for sure either, but for those of you out there that are Christian, you may catch on faster to where I'm going with this. Absolutely, no offense
meant to anyone who is a non-Christian. Many of the contributors in Kansas have or had connections to
Christianity, so it makes sense that there might be an influence. Steve Walsh was raised Catholic and
as was mentioned by Audiophile65, Livgren is a born again Christian.
Anyway, to the song...
The first verse is his current situation: He's made some wrong choices in life (haven't we all) but
now something has happened that far overshadows anything bad he has ever done and he has no where to
turn. He is literally backed into a corner: He is against the wall. "...The path that I have chosen now, has led me to a Wall..."
Now with the full realization of the predicament he's in, he confronts his problem, faces it head on.
The verses from, "...It rises now in front of me..." to "...It's just a travesty..." have a 'feel' that
eludes to this.
One of the definitions of 'travesty' I found was, "A grotesque imitation with intent to ridicule." So
he really feels that what ever he did, he screwed up royally and there may not be any turning back.
My next comment may be a bit of a stretch for some, but I don't think he is referring to his own spirit
but rather the Holy Spirit.
(This song is also interesting as there is no refrain/chorus. It is truly a Poem Song
and possibly, even a Prayer.)
The Second verse is about the struggle we all go through: To Believe or not to Believe.
He wants to and probably does believe, but struggles with his indecision, even after being born again,
"...The Moment is a Masterpiece, the weight of indecision's in the air..."
Prior to that is a fairly direct biblical reference to one of Jesus' parables, "The Promised Land is
waiting, Like a Maiden who is soon to be a Bride."
The verse begins with his wanting to get to the other side, Heaven, but feeling he is too week to
achieve the goal, and ending with a glimpse of the eternal, blinding darkness of his own sin and Satan.
The third verse is his Epiphany. He sees the how money has ruled his life (and probably is a large
contributor to the huge problem he is facing now) and that the true 'Riches' in life have nothing to
do with money, and come from God: God is Love.
He comes to the realization that God never left him: He left God and its up to him to, "...tear down
the Wall and let..." Him in.
So now he get's it: Finding the peace that comes with living in Harmony with God, and knowing that
God smiles back at all of us inviting us to, "Cross" (double entendre?) and that "there is no Loss."
Meaning that if you accept Gods forgiveness for your sins, you don't have to 'Pay' anything in return.
God's forgiveness is unconditional and free when you are truly sorry for you sins. I believe this
is what the Steve Walsh's Character in the song is experiencing and what Steve is singing about.
Other songs that have a Biblical 'twist' "Dust in the wind": as in the Bible, "...and to Dust you shall
return." And, Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son: Read it and then listen to "Wayward Son".
I'm afraid some of the people posting here don't have all the facts about, "The Wall". This song was written by Kerry Livgren and Steve Walsh. Steve Walsh sang the lead vocal and more than likely played the organ on this track. The album "Leftoverture" came out in 1976.
I'm afraid some of the people posting here don't have all the facts about, "The Wall". This song was written by Kerry Livgren and Steve Walsh. Steve Walsh sang the lead vocal and more than likely played the organ on this track. The album "Leftoverture" came out in 1976.
I think Audiophile65 is on the right track, and I don't know for sure either, but for those of you out there that are Christian, you may catch on faster to where I'm going with this. Absolutely, no offense meant to anyone who is a non-Christian. Many of the contributors in Kansas have or had connections to Christianity, so it makes sense that there might be an influence. Steve Walsh was raised Catholic and as was mentioned by Audiophile65, Livgren is a born again Christian.
Anyway, to the song...
The first verse is his current situation: He's made some wrong choices in life (haven't we all) but now something has happened that far overshadows anything bad he has ever done and he has no where to turn. He is literally backed into a corner: He is against the wall. "...The path that I have chosen now, has led me to a Wall..."
Now with the full realization of the predicament he's in, he confronts his problem, faces it head on. The verses from, "...It rises now in front of me..." to "...It's just a travesty..." have a 'feel' that eludes to this.
One of the definitions of 'travesty' I found was, "A grotesque imitation with intent to ridicule." So he really feels that what ever he did, he screwed up royally and there may not be any turning back.
My next comment may be a bit of a stretch for some, but I don't think he is referring to his own spirit but rather the Holy Spirit.
(This song is also interesting as there is no refrain/chorus. It is truly a Poem Song and possibly, even a Prayer.)
The Second verse is about the struggle we all go through: To Believe or not to Believe.
He wants to and probably does believe, but struggles with his indecision, even after being born again, "...The Moment is a Masterpiece, the weight of indecision's in the air..."
Prior to that is a fairly direct biblical reference to one of Jesus' parables, "The Promised Land is waiting, Like a Maiden who is soon to be a Bride."
The verse begins with his wanting to get to the other side, Heaven, but feeling he is too week to achieve the goal, and ending with a glimpse of the eternal, blinding darkness of his own sin and Satan.
The third verse is his Epiphany. He sees the how money has ruled his life (and probably is a large contributor to the huge problem he is facing now) and that the true 'Riches' in life have nothing to do with money, and come from God: God is Love.
He comes to the realization that God never left him: He left God and its up to him to, "...tear down the Wall and let..." Him in.
So now he get's it: Finding the peace that comes with living in Harmony with God, and knowing that God smiles back at all of us inviting us to, "Cross" (double entendre?) and that "there is no Loss." Meaning that if you accept Gods forgiveness for your sins, you don't have to 'Pay' anything in return. God's forgiveness is unconditional and free when you are truly sorry for you sins. I believe this is what the Steve Walsh's Character in the song is experiencing and what Steve is singing about.
Other songs that have a Biblical 'twist' "Dust in the wind": as in the Bible, "...and to Dust you shall return." And, Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son: Read it and then listen to "Wayward Son".
All the Best and God's Blessings :-)
I'm afraid some of the people posting here don't have all the facts about, "The Wall". This song was written by Kerry Livgren and Steve Walsh. Steve Walsh sang the lead vocal and more than likely played the organ on this track. The album "Leftoverture" came out in 1976.
I'm afraid some of the people posting here don't have all the facts about, "The Wall". This song was written by Kerry Livgren and Steve Walsh. Steve Walsh sang the lead vocal and more than likely played the organ on this track. The album "Leftoverture" came out in 1976.