Check It!

A friend sent me this CD the other day. I felt so so about it the first listen, but when I really gave it a good chance I realized how good it is. This song has been my heartbeat the last couple of days. I think its inspired by Plato's Allegory of the Cave. Hints the song title Cave

Actually, I love this song so much right now that I’m going to give you my interpretation of it. This is one beautiful thing about songs with lyrics this deep is that you can take them in many different ways. It’s refreshing to see a song with lyrics so thoughtful that I can dive in and really chew it around. So this is my take and maybe you will grab something from it. I also want to give you a run down on the Plato’s cave allegory. Don’t worry I couldn’t remember it all from philosophy class, I had to look some of it up. So the idea is this, there are a group of people in a cave completely shackled without the ability to move facing a cave wall. Behind them is a big fire in which people with objects and cut outs walk across and the shadow is reflected on the cave wall. So their reality becomes the shadows, because that’s all they can see. Also when they are freed, they turn toward the fire and it hurts their eyes so they return to their reality of the shadows.
It's empty in the valley of your heart (There is something deeper there, in hard times its hard for a majority of folks because they don’t know)
The sun, it rises slowly as you walk
Away from all the fears (I think these 3 lines are hinting toward the cave, maybe sun being fire, and fear of leaving what they knew. I also think this applies to humanity as a whole too. Comfort in what you know and fear of change)
And all the faults you've left behind

The harvest left no food for you to eat
You cannibal, you meat-eater, you see (I know its more cave talk but for me, I’m hoping he is also mentioning the instability of how much meat people eat and that its destroying the earth)
But I have seen the same (more cave talk but also a challenge to the enslaved cave dwellers to say hey, I know what you are going through but I’ve seen the other side and you can break from your reality of shadows and join the world that brings hope and love)
I know the shame in your defeat

But I will hold on hope
And I won't let you choke (I’m going to try my hardest bring hope and help the world change from its destructive ways.)
On the noose around your neck

And I'll find strength in pain (God never said life is going always be rainbows and butterflies, we need to learn from and expect times of pain. Growth can come from them)
And I will change my ways (I really think these last 2 lines are Biblical. We must change our destructive ways. I think its by following Jesus’ way and bring his peaceful kingdom on earth)
I'll know my name as it's called again (Maybe referencing the numerous changes in actions that goes along with changes of name in the Bible. For example: Saul to Paul, Simon to Peter and Abram to Abraham. I think there are even more)

Cause I have other things to fill my time
You take what is yours and I'll take mine
Now let me at the truth (Let me break out of the ways of the world. I understand if you wouldn’t come with me but for me it’s the only path)
Which will refresh my broken mind

So tie me to a post and block my ears (I’m not sure about this line, Christ’s crucifixion comes to mind)
I can see widows and orphans through my tears (I can’t ignore what I see that needs to be changed)
I know my call despite my faults
And despite my growing fears (I’m trying really hard despite how scared and how imperfect I am)


So come out of your cave walking on your hands (more cave talk)
And see the world hanging upside down (I think this is more God’s kingdom talk. See things from a new perspective. The last will be first and the first will be last type of deal)
You can understand dependence
When you know the maker's land (good line, haven’t nailed it on the head but my guess would be a I’m with God, I mean look around at his beautiful creation, how could we not be?)

So make your siren's call (The Odyssey reference here. The American dream can look pretty and you can try to lure me but just like the sirens, it will lead to death so I’m not listening)
And sing all you want
I will not hear what you have to say

Cause I need freedom now
And I need to know how
To live my life as it's meant to be (Searching for God’s will in helping to bring his kingdom here)