'Send Flowers', his first studio album, was released on May 20, 2008 on Dine Alone records.
In 2011, Black Lungs began recording their second album with producer Nick Blagona. After recording the album, titled Pagan Holiday, it was shelved for over four years and released online for free on Halloween of 2015
Fire and Brimstone
Black Lungs Lyrics
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It's this absurdity that clouds your mind
And pushes you away
What lies upon the altar?
Statues and hypocrites keep you in line
And never falter
All's forgiven Sunday you just wait in line
Accept the host
You're not devoid of faith
You never had it anyway
Will you let me go to hell however I choose?
Don't you pray for me and I won't pray for you
And that's all the both of us can do
Agree to disagree and hope that's enough
If it was there for you to run to
Kept you clinging on after all you've been through
If it was there for you to run to
Kept you clinging on after all you've been through
Will you let me go to hell however I choose?
The lyrics to Black Lungs' song "Fire and Brimstone" are a commentary on the absurdity and hypocrisy of organized religion. The opening lines "No one should have to live in shame / It's this absurdity that clouds your mind / And pushes you away" seem to address the way that religious dogma can cause people to feel guilty and ashamed of who they are, and how this can be damaging to both their mental health and their relationships with others.
The next lines of the song "What lies upon the altar? / Statues and hypocrites keep you in line / And never falter" seem to criticize the way that religious institutions often prioritize tradition and authority over empathy and true spiritual connection. The following lines "Beat your kids pray to the holy ghost / All's forgiven Sunday you just wait in line / Accept the host" are a biting critique of the way that some religious communities condone abusive behavior and then offer absolution without truly addressing the harm that has been done.
The next lines are a rejection of the idea that someone must have faith in order to be a good person. "You're not devoid of faith / You never had it anyway" suggest that faith is not a prerequisite for morality or goodness. The final lines of the song "Will you let me go to hell however I choose? / Don't you pray for me and I won't pray for you / And that's all the both of us can do / Agree to disagree and hope that's enough" are a plea for respect and autonomy in matters of spirituality. The singer is asking to be allowed to make their own choices about what they believe, without judgment or interference from others.
Line by Line Meaning
No one should have to live in shame
Living in shame is an absurdity that clouds your mind and pushes you away from others.
What lies upon the altar?
The altar represents religious devotion, but what people worship on it may be hypocritical and untruthful.
Statues and hypocrites keep you in line
Religious authorities use statues and hypocrisy to control and manipulate people.
And never falter
They are unyielding and unwavering in their deception.
Beat your kids pray to the holy ghost
Religious traditions may include harsh discipline and reliance on a higher power for forgiveness.
All's forgiven Sunday you just wait in line
People may be absolved of their sins on Sunday through religious rituals, but must still comply with the expectations of their faith.
Accept the host
Partaking in the holy sacrament is seen as necessary for maintaining faith.
You're not devoid of faith
Even if you don't have faith in any particular religion, you still have beliefs and values that matter to you.
You never had it anyway
Perhaps you've never truly believed in a higher power, but that doesn't mean you can't lead a moral and fulfilling life.
Will you let me go to hell however I choose?
I would rather be punished for choosing my own path than save myself by conforming to someone else's idea of righteousness.
Don't you pray for me and I won't pray for you
It's okay for us to have different beliefs and not force them upon each other.
And that's all the both of us can do
We can only agree to disagree and respect each other's autonomy.
Agree to disagree and hope that's enough
Compassionate disagreement is a worthwhile aim, even if we can't come to any conclusion.
If it was there for you to run to
If you felt you had a secure refuge to turn to in times of trouble,
Kept you clinging on after all you've been through
you might feel more able to hold on to hope and resilience even after facing significant hardship.
If it was there for you to run to
If only such a reliable source of comfort and support actually existed.
Kept you clinging on after all you've been through
It's a sad truth that many suffer alone without any true source of consolation.
Will you let me go to hell however I choose?
I'm willing to stake my own salvation on my beliefs and choices, even if they're not the same as yours.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WADE MACNEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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