In Exile
Thrice Lyrics
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A citizen of some other place
All I've seen is just a glimmer in a shadowy mirror
But I know, one day we'll see face to face
I am a nomad, a wanderer
I have nowhere to lay my head down
There's no point in putting roots too deep when I'm moving on
Not settling for this unsettling town
My heart is filled with songs of forever
The city that endures when all is made new
I know I don't belong here, I'll never
Call this place my home, I'm just passing through
I am a pilgrim, a voyager
I won't rest until my lips touch the shore
Of the land that I've been longing for as long as I've lived
Where they'll be no pain or tears anymore
My heart is filled with songs of forever
The city that endures when all is made new
I know I don't belong here, I'll never
Call this place my home, I'm just passing through
In Thrice's song "In Exile," the singer speaks of being in exile and feeling like a sojourner in a foreign land. He expresses his belief in a better place, some other city that endures, and where he will finally find rest. He refers to himself as a nomad and a wanderer who has no place to call home, saying that he has nowhere to lay his head down. He explains that there is no point in putting down roots in a place where he knows he will be moving on. The singer's heart is filled with songs of forever and he knows that one day he will see face to face the place he longs for.
The singer completes his picture of himself by calling himself a pilgrim and a voyager. He is on a journey and will not rest until he finds the land he's been longing for since his birth. The land where tears and pain are no more. He says that he does not belong to the place he finds himself in, and he will never call it home. He is just passing through, and his focus is on finding the land of his heart's desire.
The lyrics of "In Exile" point to our human experience of not feeling like we belong in the world we live in. It is a reminder that we are all pilgrims on a journey, going towards a destination that is better than anything this world can offer. Thrice is known for the depth of their lyrics, and through this song, they manage to paint a picture of our longing for something more significant than our daily lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I am in exile, a sojourner
I am separated from my true home, living temporarily in an unfamiliar land.
A citizen of some other place
My true citizenship is not of this world but of an eternal realm.
All I've seen is just a glimmer in a shadowy mirror
My understanding of my true home is limited and unclear, like a reflection in a dimly lit mirror.
But I know, one day we'll see face to face
Despite my present lack of clarity, I have faith that one day I will fully understand my true home and see it clearly.
I am a nomad, a wanderer
I am constantly on the move, never settling in one place for too long.
I have nowhere to lay my head down
I have no permanent dwelling place in this world.
There's no point in putting roots too deep when I'm moving on
Because I am constantly on the move, it's not wise to invest too much in any one place or situation.
Not settling for this unsettling town
I am not content to remain in this world, which is transient and flawed.
My heart is filled with songs of forever
I am filled with a longing for eternity and a deep awareness of the reality of the eternal realm.
The city that endures when all is made new
I know that there is an eternal city that will survive the transformation of all things and stand forever.
I know I don't belong here, I'll never
I am aware that this world is not my true home, and I will never feel fully at home or settled here.
Call this place my home, I'm just passing through
I recognize that I am simply passing through this world on my way to my true home in the eternal realm.
I am a pilgrim, a voyager
I am on a journey, undergoing a physical and spiritual transformation.
I won't rest until my lips touch the shore
I will continue to press forward until I reach my true home in the eternal realm.
Of the land that I've been longing for as long as I've lived
I have a deep longing for my true home that has existed as long as I have been alive.
Where they'll be no pain or tears anymore
I know that in my true home, there will be no more suffering or sorrow.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: EDDIE BRECKENRIDGE, JAMES RILEY BRECKENRIDGE, DUSTIN MICHAEL KENSRUE, TEPPEI TERANISHI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Stephanie Ettinger
I am an exile - a sojourner; A citizen of some other place.
All I’ve seen is just a glimmer in a shadowy mirror,
But I know one day I’ll see face to face.
I am a nomad - a wanderer; I have nowhere to lay my head down.
There’s no point in putting roots too deep when I’m moving on.
I’m not settling for this unsettling town.
My heart is filled with songs of forever -
Of a city that endures, where all is made new.
I know I don’t belong here; I’ll never
Call this place my home, I’m just passing through.
I am a pilgrim - a voyager; I won’t rest until my lips touch the shore -
Of the land that I’ve been longing for as long as I’ve lived,
Where there’ll be no pain or tears anymore.
My heart is filled with songs of forever -
Of a city that endures, where all is made new.
I know I don’t belong here; I’ll never
Call this place my home, I’m just passing through.
Chris
This Album was in my regular music rotation about 5 years ago when my Mom passed away. The day she died, as I drove away from Hospice, this song came on. I felt something release in my heart and I was flooded with hope. I felt my faith increase. I must have listened to this song 100 times that day. So, Dustin Kensrue, if you ever happen to read this comment someday, I just want to say thanks. Your thoughtful poetry comforted me on one of the most difficult days of my life and continues to bring me comfort every time I listen to it. God Bless.
J Martin
I use this song to comfort me with my moms death too ♡.
Kody Foster
@Chris Clarke
I played in a band that was very good. We were small time then, but quickly gaining momentum. I had been feeling a tug from God to leave the band for a few months and was having a very hard time giving in. I played my last concert with them in Coleman,TX and the whole set I was just uneasy and fighting God's will. Anyhow after that concert around 2am I was driving back to Stephenville,TX to stay with the the other band mates and this song came on. It immediately grabbed my attention. I had no idea who thrice was. I recorded a little of the song on my phone on the drive so I could remember it. The whole song I'm certain God was talking to me telling me He really wanted me to follow Him and be faithful to Him. I knew on that drive home my music days were over. It hurt but I was peaceful. To be honest I even cried a little. I listened to that recording every day before I could find the recording on youtube and just kept listening and listening.
A few months later I was glad to be out since I could see my walk with Christ would have suffered.
Maybe a year later the band hit it big... that was tough. I questioned God, cried out to Him, and I'm sad to say even got mad at Him. I'm talking they signed with a major record label, and sell out concerts with anywhere from 2k-15k in attendence almost every concert.
It's been years now but occasionally I get down when I see info about the band and how successful they are.
One thing remains though, I chose to follow God's will and it wasn't to be a professional musician. Today I am glad I'm not with my old buddies in the band. Not one of them are in a position to witness if needed. To be honest I seriously question their sincerity with their relationship with Christ. Anyhow, I can't say who is saved or not, God looks at the heart and mankind sees the outside.
Jason B
Wow! Thank you for sharing this story. God is truly awesome. Our lives in this world is the difficult part, but by enduring loss & the inevitable obstacles & suffering that comes, through Christ we can have peace, joy, & grace. And in the life that follows, the pain and suffering that we experience in this world will be wiped away as pain & sorrow are turned into ecstasy when we enter into life in His eternal kingdom. As the Christ said, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.” (John 6:37)
Hallelujah & God bless!
Emily mo
I’m 31 and this playing at my funeral hasn’t changed as an idea since I was 18
Beezy Beez
Thrice is the best but you must hear “Whispering Wolf” or “The Wave” by SLT 🤘🐺
Jenn prescott
My friend had it at her funeral. Amazing wife and mother of two adopted foster boys. Huge impact.
Jay k
Hell yeah. I’m 29. By far the greatest band ever
TheHalusis
hate to break it to you but youre not ever going to die
Steve Still
one of the most amazing and brilliant songs EVER recorded.