Dearly Beloved
-Bad Religion Lyrics
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Climbing the pulpit steps before an eager congregation
Then while praying came a wicked inspiration
Brothers, sisters, this is what he said:
[Chorus:]
Dearly beloved, dearly beloved, dearly beloved
(Make no mistake, despite our traits I've seldom seen)
I can't relate to you (I can't relate to you), I can't relate to you
He was the kind of guy who'd always go right out of his way
But more before the crazy notion leapt right into his head
And stubbornly crept into every mad perception
I can't deny a funny feeling when he said:
[Chorus]
Dearest in memoriam, set phasers to stun
And grab yourself a neighbor's skeleton to lean upon
Did you know him in life - one filled with regret
So soon we all forget we ever met
Do you know my name; sing a light refrain
For a man estranged; I won't deny that I'm inclined to isolate
Dearly beloved, dearly beloved, dearly beloved (I can't relate)
I can't relate to you
(I can't relate to you)
I can't relate to you
(I can't relate to you)
I can't relate to you
(I can't relate to you)
I can't relate to you
"Bad Religion's song Dearly Beloved" is about an honest man who loses his religion despite being a leader in his congregation. The man climbed the pulpit steps before an eager congregation but while praying, evil inspiration came to him, and he found that he could no longer relate to his people. The chorus repeats the phrase "Dearly beloved" but emphasizes that despite their traits, the singer cannot relate to them. The second and third stanzas delve into the man's regrets, acknowledging that he'd always gone right out of his way, but did not take heed when the crazy notion leaped into his head. He describes a funny feeling, and then the following stanza's mood changes with the line, "Dearest in memoriam, set phasers to stun," referring to the release of a man's regrets through music.
The point of the song is to warn against the dehumanizing impact of organized religion by speaking to the distance between people and the state of being "estranged." These lyrics build up to a confession that the singer is "inclined to isolate." There is a sense of loss and regret in the lyrics, as if the singer wants to feel a deep connection to others but is prevented by their differences, both spiritually and otherwise. It is through music that he can express his emotional state, and the "Man estranged" is given a light refrain, a plea for recognition or understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Here's a story of an honest man losing religion
The song opens with the story of a man who honestly loses his faith in religion.
Climbing the pulpit steps before an eager congregation
The man was a religious leader who stood before a fervent crowd.
Then while praying came a wicked inspiration
While he was praying, he had an evil thought.
Brothers, sisters, this is what he said:
He then addressed the congregation with the following words:
Dearly beloved, dearly beloved, dearly beloved
He addresses the people with an expression of love
(Make no mistake, despite our traits I've seldom seen)
Despite our differences, I rarely see
I can't relate to you (I can't relate to you), I can't relate to you
He then says that he can't understand the people and reiterates it twice.
He was the kind of guy who'd always go right out of his way
The man was someone who would do anything for others.
But more before the crazy notion leapt right into his head
However, an insane idea had entered his mind.
And stubbornly crept into every mad perception
This idea stubbornly took over his thoughts.
I can't deny a funny feeling when he said:
He admits to having a strange feeling when he thought about his crazy idea.
Dearest in memoriam, set phasers to stun
He switches to a sci-fi reference and tells people to prepare to be amazed.
And grab yourself a neighbor's skeleton to lean upon
He asks people to imagine something strange to lean on.
Did you know him in life - one filled with regret
He asks if they knew someone who had died with many regrets.
So soon we all forget we ever met
He suggests that people soon forget those who have passed away.
Do you know my name; sing a light refrain
He asks if they know his name and to sing a light melody.
For a man estranged; I won't deny that I'm inclined to isolate
He admits to being estranged and wanting to isolate himself.
Dearly beloved, dearly beloved, dearly beloved (I can't relate)
He repeats his earlier expression of love but adds that he can't relate to them.
I can't relate to you (I can't relate to you)
He concludes the song by repeating that he can't understand the people.
Lyrics ยฉ Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRETT W. GUREWITZ, GREG GRAFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@laralynwittusen5468
The amount of comfort this song brings me leads me to believe it belongs in church.
@davidzambrano3131
Right in the childhood, damn still giving me chills.
@hehmarbs
my dad did that in church once it was epic
@lizbethescobedo5500
Amen
@kiko1935
Has the pastor (not sure title) ever complained about your song references? As long as it sounds religious he doesn't mind?
@JordanDPiano
One time, I played Giornoโs theme for a prayer. After the service, the deacon came up to me and said that didnโt sound fitting lol never played that song again in service
@kiko1935
@@JordanDPiano lmao he called Diavolo after: "Boss, I've taken care of it"
@jphysique5044
โค
@kylebear8101
YES