Former members include Derek Webb (guitar, vocals; left the band in 2003 to pursue a solo career), Aaron Tate (songwriting duties), Aric Nitzberg (bass guitar), and Randy Holsapple (hammond organ).
Recently Derek Webb rejoined the band.
Love Alone
Caedmon's Call Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
if they knew all the things I hide
My words fall to the floor
As tears drip through the telephone line
And the hands I've seen raised to the sky
Not waving but drowning all this time
I'll try to build an ark that they need
*Give me your hand to hold
'Cause I can't stand to love alone
And love alone is not enough to hold us up
We've got to touch your robe
So swing your robe down low
Swing your robe down low
The prince of despair's been beaten
But the loser still fights
Death's on a long leash
Stealing my friends to the night
And everyone cries for the innocent
You say to love the guilty too
And I'm surrounded by suffering and sickness
So I'm working tearing back the roof
Repeat *
And the pain of the world is a burden
And it's my cross to bear
And I stumble under all the weight
I know you're Simon standing there
And I know you're standing there
The lyrics of Caedmon Call's song "Love Alone" describe the feeling of loneliness and the fear of vulnerability. It starts with the singer expressing their belief that no one would love them if they knew everything that's hidden inside. The feelings of helplessness and vulnerability are intensified by the portrayal of the tears falling through the telephone line, which evoke the image of a long distance relationship or a conversation about to end.
The chorus of the song is a plea for help and companionship. The singer asks for someone to hold their hand because they cannot stand to be alone in love. This line can be interpreted as the need for human connection, for someone to be with us in times of distress. The following line, "And love alone is not enough to hold us up," emphasizes the importance of reaching out to a higher power, to touch the robe of God, to find strength and support.
The second half of the song addresses the suffering of the world and the struggle against despair. The singer refers to the prince of despair, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for Satan, being beaten but still fighting. Death is portrayed as stealing the singer's friends to the night, evoking another image of loneliness and loss. However, the song stresses that we should love not only the innocent but also the guilty, implying that everyone is worthy of love and redemption. The last line of the song is a powerful reassurance that God is always present, standing by us in our weakest moments.
Line by Line Meaning
No one would love me
I am ashamed of my flaws and believe that people will reject me if they knew everything about me
if they knew all the things I hide
My hidden sins and imperfections make me feel unworthy of love and attention
My words fall to the floor
I find it hard to communicate my thoughts and feelings
As tears drip through the telephone line
I often cry when talking about my emotions, even if it's over the phone
And the hands I've seen raised to the sky
I've witnessed people praying for help, yet they are still struggling
Not waving but drowning all this time
They are not simply reaching out for help, but are in desperate need of a rescue
I'll try to build an ark that they need
I want to create a safe haven, a place where people can feel secure
To float to you upon the crystal sea
I want this place to be beautiful and peaceful, something that will bring comfort to those who need it
Give me your hand to hold
I am asking for help and support
'Cause I can't stand to love alone
I know that love is important, but it's hard to do it alone
And love alone is not enough to hold us up
We need something more than just love to endure the struggles of life
We've got to touch your robe
We need to have faith and trust in a Higher Power
So swing your robe down low
We are calling upon this Higher Power to bless us with their grace and mercy
The prince of despair's been beaten
We acknowledge that there is hope, and that darkness will not last forever
But the loser still fights
However, we know that there is still a long road ahead of us, and the enemy will not give up easily
Death's on a long leash
Death and suffering seem to be inescapable parts of life
Stealing my friends to the night
I have lost people close to me due to death
And everyone cries for the innocent
We mourn for those who have suffered injustices and losses
You say to love the guilty too
We are reminded to also show compassion towards those who have done harm
And I'm surrounded by suffering and sickness
I am constantly exposed to people who are hurting mentally, emotionally, and physically
So I'm working tearing back the roof
I am doing my best to help those in need, even if it means going out of my comfort zone
And the pain of the world is a burden
Sometimes, the sheer amount of suffering in the world feels like too much to bear
And it's my cross to bear
It is my responsibility to bear the pain and try to spread hope and love despite it all
And I stumble under all the weight
It can be difficult to keep moving forward in the face of so much darkness
I know you're Simon standing there
I feel that God is with me, offering support and guidance through the struggles
And I know you're standing there
I am comforted by the belief that a Higher Power is present and involved in my life
Contributed by Alexander R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.