Invictus
Corpus Christi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Our knowledge is partial and full of holes.
What can you offer me that I could never lose?
This is my offering.
A sacrifice you must choose.
Die to yourself.
This sacrifice you must choose.
This sacrifice you must choose This sacrifice you must choose.
When self was laid aside, I became more than I had been.
And on the day I die, I rise to walk again.
I am called to stand and be counted among the victorious dead.
Crucified to the flesh I am bound in, I am the victorious dead.
Selflessness breeds fearlessness.
To face our lives, our death, or anything.
It's all the same.
I am called to stand and be counted among the victorious dead.
Crucified to the flesh I am bound in, I am the victorious dead.
The song "Invictus" by Corpus Christi is a call to sacrifice one's self and to rise above the limitations of human wisdom and knowledge. The lyrics suggest that our understanding of the world and ourselves is incomplete and limited, and that true victory comes not from clinging to these limitations but from letting go of them. The singer positions themselves within this struggle, affirming their commitment to self-sacrifice and selflessness as a way to transcend the struggles of life and death.
The opening lines of "Our wisdom is the raving of fools. Our knowledge is partial and full of holes" suggest a profound sense of disillusionment with the human condition. Despite our best efforts, we can never fully understand the world, and our beliefs and opinions are often misguided. This sense of frustration sets the stage for the central message of the song, which is that true victory lies in embracing selflessness and sacrificing one's own desires for the greater good.
The repeated line "I am called to stand and be counted among the victorious dead" reinforces this message, suggesting that the ultimate goal is not just to overcome the struggles of the present moment but to transcend the limitations of life itself. By crucifying the flesh and rising again, the singer becomes part of an eternal legacy of selfless heroism and victory over the physical limitations of life and death.
Line by Line Meaning
Our wisdom is the raving of fools.
We may think we know everything, but our so-called wisdom is no better than nonsense.
Our knowledge is partial and full of holes.
Our knowledge is flawed and incomplete, with many gaps and uncertainties.
What can you offer me that I could never lose?
Is there anything truly valuable that I could possess and never risk losing?
This is my offering.
My entire being is my offering to something greater than myself.
A sacrifice you must choose.
Sacrificing our selfish desires and needs is a choice we must make to pursue the greater good.
Die to yourself.
We must let go of our egos and selfish desires to truly live for something bigger than ourselves.
This sacrifice you must choose. This sacrifice you must choose. This sacrifice you must choose.
The message is clear: sacrifice is necessary and must be actively chosen.
I am called to stand and be counted among the victorious dead.
I am called to be brave and unyielding in my pursuit of something greater, even if it means death.
When self was laid aside, I became more than I had been.
When I let go of my selfish desires and needs, I became something greater than myself.
And on the day I die, I rise to walk again.
Even in death, there is the possibility of rebirth and new life.
Crucified to the flesh I am bound in, I am the victorious dead.
I have sacrificed my physical desires and needs to become something more powerful and greater than myself.
Selflessness breeds fearlessness.
Putting aside our selfish desires and needs allows us to be fearless in pursuit of something greater than ourselves.
To face our lives, our death, or anything. It's all the same.
Whether we face life or death or any challenge, it is all one and the same in our pursuit of something greater than ourselves.
Contributed by Gabriel G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.