1995-present

Brave Saint Saturn is an American rock band started as … Read Full Bio ↴1995-present

Brave Saint Saturn is an American rock band started as a side project by members of Five Iron Frenzy, a now-defunct Christian ska band. Described by the band as "astro-rock," the music of Brave Saint Saturn (often abbreviated to BS2) is generally more serious than the lighthearted FIF. The group was originally an outlet for Five Iron's frontman, Reese Roper, to explore themes of loneliness and abandonment. BS2 also experimented with more melancholy song composition and ambient sounds, with instruments like synthesizer, glockenspiel, accordion, strings and electronic sampling rounding out the simple, guitar-driven music.

The band's trilogy of albums follow the same outer space-themed story that uses space exploration as an extended metaphor, making the three records an extended concept album. The first album, So Far from Home, was about being lost, while their second, The Light of Things Hoped For, focused on being found. Their third album, entitled Anti-Meridian, about returning home, was released on September 15th, 2008, completing the trilogy and the story of the crew of the U.S.S. Gloria.

Gloria
Brave Saint Saturn Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Gloria, in excelces deo.
Glory, gloria.

Too weak to wonder,
too tired to care,
Jesus Christ, are you really there?
I've fallen down,
Can't pull myself back up.

I'm going to drown, have mercy,
Have mercy.

I need you now,
Not words or a feeling.
But Jesus Christ,
I've hit the ceiling.

Your love,
Your mercy,
Your light unending.
Your hope,

Your peace,
Your strength my heart is mending.

Overall Meaning

The song Gloria by Brave Saint Saturn is a cry out to Jesus Christ for help and mercy. The first couple of lines, "Gloria, in excelces deo. Glory, gloria." are a direct reference to a traditional hymn meaning "Glory to God in the highest." However, the rest of the song takes a much more personal and desperate turn. The lyrics describe a person who is feeling weak and tired, and feels like they are drowning. They are asking Jesus if he is really there, and begging for mercy.

The following lines, "I need you now, not words or a feeling. But Jesus Christ, I've hit the ceiling." suggests that this person is not looking for platitudes or empty encouragement, but rather a tangible presence of Jesus in their life. The repetition of "Have mercy" throughout the song intensifies this plea for help. The final lines of the song, "Your love, your mercy, your light unending. Your hope, your peace, your strength, my heart is mending" suggest that the person has found solace in Jesus and his love, mercy, peace, hope, and strength.

Overall, the song Gloria is a desperate request for help and hope from Jesus Christ. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of moments, there is still light and love to be found.

Line by Line Meaning

Gloria, in excelces deo.
Let us offer praise to God in the highest.

Glory, gloria.
Praise and honor to God.

Too weak to wonder,
Feeling too powerless to even question things.

too tired to care,
Exhausted to the point of not caring.

Jesus Christ, are you really there?
Questioning the presence of Jesus in his life.

I've fallen down,
Having stumbled and failed.

Can't pull myself back up.
Feeling incapable of getting back on track.

I'm going to drown, have mercy,
Feeling like he's sinking and needing divine intervention to save him.

Have mercy.
A plea for God's compassion.

I need you now,
A recognition of his need for God at this moment.

Not words or a feeling.
Not just empty words or emotions.