Myrrh
Church Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Emerald haunt in overdrive
Nightmare descent into Jericho city
Camel dust heralds our arrival
New Christ beneath the drumkit moon
Oh Lord we are threatened again
In the slipstream pull of the federal men
Plummet in some seamless night
Down here to earth it's hopeless then
Apache gunman in the boiling crowd
Who never got to meet you last time
We're interrupted by the telephone
You didn't think they were invented then
Oh Lord we need miracles
We need more wine and gold
We need slaves and roads and personal favors
We need microphones and manifolds
How can you be so invisible
Give me the nerves to see
Privilege on privilege
An unwanted discovery
So now we're cruising down this shuddering highway
With a dead sun shining on my back
And we talk about the way people treat us back there
Their hollow laughter, the pain in their eyes
Oh Lord I trust your intentions
But money strangles our love
Struggling like a fool with my junk and my jewels
You would have thought I'd had enough
How can you be so invisible
Give me the nerves to see




Privilege on privilege
An unwanted discovery

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Church's song "Myrrh" depict a feeling of struggle and longing for something more. The song begins with the image of an emerald haunt in overdrive, evoking a sense of intensity and urgency. The descent into Jericho city is described as a nightmare, suggesting a dark and tumultuous journey. The reference to camel dust heralding their arrival adds a mystical and exotic element to the narrative.


The line "New Christ beneath the drumkit moon" hints at a spiritual or transformative experience taking place. It suggests a sense of rebirth or renewal, possibly as a result of the journey described earlier. However, despite this, there is a constant threat looming, symbolized by the slipstream pull of the federal men. This threat adds a sense of tension and vulnerability to the narrative.


The verse continues with references to an Apache gunman and being interrupted by a telephone, implying unexpected interruptions and obstacles along the way. The plea for miracles and the need for wine, gold, slaves, and personal favors suggests a desire for power, wealth, and control. The lyrics also express a yearning for visibility and recognition, as highlighted by the line "How can you be so invisible, Give me the nerves to see."


As the song progresses, the lyrics describe cruising down a shuddering highway with a dead sun shining on the singer's back. This imagery suggests a feeling of desolation or emptiness. The mention of the way people treat them back there and the pain in their eyes indicate a sense of disillusionment or dissatisfaction with the world.


Overall, "Myrrh" explores themes of struggle, longing, and the human desire for power, recognition, and meaning. It portrays a journey filled with obstacles, searching for something more tangible and fulfilling.


Line by Line Meaning

Emerald haunt in overdrive
An intense and mesmerizing presence that engulfs everything


Nightmare descent into Jericho city
A terrifying and nightmarish journey into a corrupt and dangerous place


Camel dust heralds our arrival
The arrival is announced by the swirling dust raised by the camels


New Christ beneath the drumkit moon
A new savior-like figure emerging under the moonlit sky


Oh Lord we are threatened again
Expressing the constant feeling of danger and vulnerability


In the slipstream pull of the federal men
Being caught up in the influence and control of powerful government forces


Plummet in some seamless night
Falling uncontrollably into a dark and seamless abyss


Down here to earth it's hopeless then
Realizing the sense of hopelessness and despair in the earthly world


Apache gunman in the boiling crowd
A figure with a threatening presence amidst a chaotic and agitated crowd


Who never got to meet you last time
Referring to someone who didn't have the opportunity to meet the intended recipient in the past


We're interrupted by the telephone
Being disturbed or interrupted by a phone call


You didn't think they were invented then
Surprised by the existence of telephones during that time period


Oh Lord we need miracles
Expressing a desperate need for extraordinary events or interventions


We need more wine and gold
Desiring wealth and abundance, seeking material possessions


We need slaves and roads and personal favors
Seeking power, control, and special treatment


We need microphones and manifolds
Desiring tools and mechanisms to amplify and manipulate our voices


How can you be so invisible
Questioning the lack of obvious presence or interference


Give me the nerves to see
Asking for heightened perception and awareness


Privilege on privilege
The accumulation of advantages and benefits


An unwanted discovery
Coming across something that brings discomfort or dissatisfaction


So now we're cruising down this shuddering highway
Traveling on a chaotic and unsettling path


With a dead sun shining on my back
Feeling the burden and oppressive nature of a lifeless sun


And we talk about the way people treat us back there
Discussing the mistreatment and disrespect faced in the past


Their hollow laughter, the pain in their eyes
Reflecting on the insincere laughter and hidden suffering of others


Oh Lord I trust your intentions
Having faith in the intentions and plans of a higher power


But money strangles our love
The presence and influence of money suffocates and damages the love between individuals


Struggling like a fool with my junk and my jewels
Experiencing difficulties and challenges with material possessions and wealth


You would have thought I'd had enough
Despite past experiences, it is surprising that one hasn't reached a point of contentment




Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions