Gilgamesh
Lost in Elegy: Sufjan Stevens' Soulful Journey at Four Degrees
Lyrics
I'm four degrees off the ground
I feel disconnected from reality, not fully grounded
I am lost, forgive me
I am lost and seeking forgiveness
Four degrees off the ground
Continuation of feeling disconnected from reality
I am lost, forgive me
Reiteration of being lost and seeking forgiveness
Four degrees off the ground
Further expression of feeling ungrounded
I am lost, forgive me
Repeated acknowledgment of being lost and seeking forgiveness
Four degrees off the ground
Continuation of feeling four degrees off the ground and lost
I am lost, forgive me
Continued plea for forgiveness in a state of being lost
(Only the lonely)
(Only the lonely) - Possibly a recurring theme of loneliness
Reach out for what remains before you
Encouragement to grasp what remains available
Reach out for what remains at hand
Encouragement to hold onto what is within reach
For as it was in the beginning
Reference to the cyclical nature of events
So shall it cease at my command
Assertion of control over outcomes
(Only the lonely)
(Only the lonely) - Reiteration of loneliness
Now place your head below your waistline
Physical positioning with symbolic significance
Breathe deeply as the pain subsides
Guidance to endure pain with deep breaths
And with your final breath, remember
Reflection on the approaching end and rest
The day of rest has now arrived
Noting the arrival of a day of rest
(Only the lonely)
(Only the lonely) - Loneliness emphasized again
Oh, my heart will leave you now, surrender
Expressing detachment and willingness to let go
Oh, my heart receives you now with arms full of harvest
Receiving with open arms, possibly a positive turn
Oh, my heart has fallen for its fear of feelings
Fear of emotional vulnerability and a plea to stay close
Stay close to me, my love
Request for emotional closeness and support
Theosophy in elegy, love me
Theosophy (spiritual philosophy) intertwined with elegy (mourning), a plea for love
Oh, my heart will fantasize of Eden
Fantasy about an idealized place or state
My love, my dream, make love to me
Desire for love and a dream-like connection
Surrender your spirit, sing my eulogy
Surrendering to the moment and anticipating a eulogy
Oh, my heart is chained to thee, my angel
Feeling bound and connected to a significant other
You haven't seen the last of me, my love
Confident assertion of continued existence in love
I give you everything
Complete offering of oneself to the loved one
Four degrees off the ground
Reiteration of feeling ungrounded
I am lost without you (only the lonely)
Feeling lost without a specific person
Four degrees off the ground
Reiteration of feeling four degrees off the ground
I am lost without you
Continued expression of being lost without someone
(Only the lonely)
(Only the lonely) - Emphasis on the theme of loneliness
I am lost without you (only the lonely)
Feeling lost without someone, repeating the theme
I am lost without you (only the lonely)
Reiteration of being lost and lonely
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