Alan Lastufka is a songwriter, published author, artist and videomaker who has had nearly four-and-a-half million views of his YouTube videos. Lastufka has written many songs with many musicians, but "Taking Leave" is his first commercial release.
Tom Milsom is a musician, writer, artist and videomaker who has had nearly two million views of his YouTube videos and has released the album "Awkward Ballads for the Easily Pleased" to murmurs of critical success. Faced with this onslaught of vague acceptance, he plans to release his second album, "Painfully Mainstream", later this year.
Forgiven
Alan Lastufka & Tom Milsom Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
in front of rows of picket fences and graves
I traveled through valleys of pews
and saw the don’t’s and the do’s
through sky blue eyes
I dropped to my knees
folded hands, scolded hands
and cross the sands, burning sands
in my hair and in my eyes
and in my heart and in my head
I stop to shake it off and only hope
that when I’m dead I’ll be forgiven
I saw the eternal flame fire
burn through the forest choir
and I listened to the cries
through burning ears and burning eyes
like a tolling bell at noon
I dropped to my knees
folded hands, scolded hands
And I tried to part the seas
and cross the sands, burning sands
And you were always there for me
as I was always told
all that I could hope for was one day
when I was old I’d be forgiven
the day my boots lead me to the place where I hide
nearly drowned, committing social suicide
lost in the willows weeping
lost in His book and His vague teaching
my blood and body blurred the words
I dropped to my knees
folded hands, scolded hands
And I tried to part the seas
and cross the sands, burning sands
And as the ink ran down the page
I had to run away
I’ve not looked back since then and
I’ve done nothing to this day to be forgiven.
The lyrics of Alan Lastufka & Tom Milsom's song "Forgiven" are quite introspective and reflective, as the singer describes a journey of searching for meaning and redemption. The opening lines set the scene of a performance stage, where the singer lights a candle and places it among rows of picket fences and graves. This imagery suggests a sense of solemnity and reverence, as though the singer is paying tribute to something or someone who has passed.
As the song progresses, the singer travels through valleys of pews, suggesting a religious context to the lyrics. The references to "don'ts and do's" and "His book and His vague teaching" also suggest a spiritual journey, perhaps one of seeking forgiveness or absolution. The singer drops to their knees and tries to "part the seas" and "cross the burning sands," which could be interpreted as attempts to overcome personal obstacles or internal conflicts.
The chorus of the song is particularly poignant, as the singer expresses a desire to be forgiven, even if it is only after they have passed away. The lyrics suggest a sense of remorse or regret for past actions, and a hope that they will be redeemed in the afterlife. The final lines of the song are particularly powerful, as the singer admits that they have not done anything to be forgiven, implying that they are still seeking that redemption and absolution.
Overall, "Forgiven" is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged song that explores themes of spirituality, mortality, and the search for meaning and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
I lit a candle and placed it upon the stage
I created a symbol of hope and faith in front of a solemn audience
in front of rows of picket fences and graves
surrounded by death and the divisions we create in life
I traveled through valleys of pews
I journeyed through a landscape of worship and obedience
and saw the don’t’s and the do’s
and observed the limitations and obligations imposed by religion
through sky blue eyes
with a sense of clarity and perception
I dropped to my knees
I fell to the ground in anguish
folded hands, scolded hands
seeking forgiveness while feeling the weight of guilt
And I tried to part the seas
and I attempted the impossible in search of redemption
and cross the sands, burning sands
even if it meant enduring great pain and suffering
in my hair and in my eyes
unable to escape the physical and emotional scars of my past
and in my heart and in my head
haunted by the memories of my wrongdoings
I stop to shake it off and only hope
I pause to clear my mind and pray for absolution
that when I’m dead I’ll be forgiven
that my sins will be forgotten and my soul will find peace
I saw the eternal flame fire
I witnessed the unstoppable force of faith and devotion
burn through the forest choir
consume the congregation's voices like a wildfire
and I listened to the cries
and I heard the anguish and desperation of the believers
through burning ears and burning eyes
despite the overwhelming pain and suffering
like a tolling bell at noon
like a warning of death and judgement
And you were always there for me
And even in my darkest moments, I felt your presence
as I was always told
as I clung to the comforting teachings of my faith
all that I could hope for was one day
my only hope was that one day
when I was old I’d be forgiven
I would find salvation and forgiveness in my old age
the day my boots lead me to the place where I hide
the day I confronted the secrets and shame I kept hidden
nearly drowned, committing social suicide
overwhelmed by my mistakes and fears, faced with social rejection
lost in the willows weeping
completely overwhelmed by grief and desperation
lost in His book and His vague teaching
seeking meaning and guidance in the ambiguity of religious doctrine
my blood and body blurred the words
physical and emotional pain made it difficult to find clarity and understanding
And as the ink ran down the page
And as I poured out my heart on paper, dissolving into tears
I had to run away
I had to escape the suffocating chains of guilt and regret
I’ve not looked back since then and
I have never been the same since that moment
I’ve done nothing to this day to be forgiven.
I have carried the weight of my past, unable to forgive myself
Contributed by Adeline V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ItTakesII
Glad you liked it, Alan! I hope it goes well with what you intended when you wrote the poem :) -Julian
Zoe Strickland
This is cool! Alan wrote a great poem. And, you, Julian, totally made an awesome video!
desertislanddream
This is really cool. Really beautiful but also very intense. Amazing.
ItTakesII
Thanks, Bill! :D It was all filmed and edited by me except the music of course which is by Alan :) -Julian
ItTakesII
They also have music on iTunes and Amazon :) -Julian
ItTakesII
Thank you! :) I changed the thumbnail three times, I like them all :) -Julian
Alan Lastufka
Yay, that was pretty cool! Thanks for making that. =)
ItTakesII
Well, for whatever reason you got this video, I'm glad you did :) This new record label wouldn't happen to be DFTBA Records would it? -Julian
Stephanie Crocker
I wonder if I got this because of some comments about wanting to get involved in this new record label fun, or if it's just because my username starts with a zero :). I really like the part with the blinds. Makes me think of blinding the audience with sunshine - oddly enough.
ItTakesII
Yes, he did, and thank you very much :) -Julian