The Gates Of Paradise
David Byrne Lyrics


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I am nothing like my sister
I am nothing like my mom
You can't see me in my father
Wonder where did I come from

And the laws of men are not the laws of heaven
And angel's breath is like the desert wind
And terrorists are acting out of love sweet love
To bring us home again

It's sin to seek perfection
It's a sin to help the poor
It's a sin to hold convictions
For none of them are true

And the laws of men are not the laws of heaven
And angel's breath is like the desert wind
And terrorists are acting out of love sweet love
To bring us home again

So beware of good intentions
And the passion in their eyes




For none of them can open
The Gates of Paradise

Overall Meaning

David Byrne's The Gates of Paradise is a song that touches upon a number of themes like identity, religion, and morality. The song begins with the singer comparing themselves to their sister and mother, and expressing their uncertainty about their own origins. This feeling of displacement is powerfully captured when the singer says, "Wonder where did I come from". This could suggest that the singer doesn't feel like they have a clear sense of who they are or where they come from, and this feeling of confusion is something that they're trying to make peace with.


The second half of the song tackles the topic of religion and morality. Byrne presents a critical view of religious beliefs and their effects on people's behavior, highlighting the paradoxical nature of many religious teachings. He notes how the "laws of men are not the laws of heaven" and how the actions of so-called "terrorists" can be rooted in love. The line "It's a sin to seek perfection / It's a sin to help the poor / It's a sin to hold convictions / For none of them are true" reflects Byrne's skepticism towards religious dogma and the idea that one set of beliefs could be deemed as objectively "true". The song ends on a cautionary note, with the singer warning listeners to be wary of people who are overly zealous in their beliefs, since they may not necessarily lead us to the "Gates of Paradise".


Line by Line Meaning

I am nothing like my sister
I do not identify with my sister's personality or characteristics.


I am nothing like my mom
I do not identify with my mother's personality or characteristics.


You can't see me in my father
I do not share traits or characteristics with my father.


Wonder where did I come from
I am uncertain about my origins or how I came to be.


And the laws of men are not the laws of heaven
Rules and regulations imposed by humans do not necessarily align with those dictated by a higher power.


And angel's breath is like the desert wind
The essence of an angel is intangible, like a breeze blowing through the vast emptiness of the desert.


And terrorists are acting out of love sweet love
Individuals who commit acts of terrorism believe they are doing so out of love, even if their actions are misguided and ultimately harmful.


To bring us home again
The perpetrators of terrorism may believe that their actions will lead to a return to a more ideal or pure state of existence.


It's sin to seek perfection
Attempting to achieve absolute perfection is considered immoral or wrong.


It's a sin to help the poor
Providing aid or assistance to those in need is viewed as a negative or inappropriate action.


It's a sin to hold convictions
Maintaining strong beliefs or opinions is considered to be morally wrong or misguided.


For none of them are true
None of the previously mentioned actions or ideas are inherently or universally correct or accurate.


So beware of good intentions
One should be cautious of well-meaning efforts or proposals, as they may not lead to positive outcomes or follow a logical path.


And the passion in their eyes
Individuals may be deeply committed or invested in their beliefs, but this does not necessarily make them accurate or beneficial in the long run.


For none of them can open
No singular idea or effort can access the transcendent or ideal realm of existence.


The Gates of Paradise
This is a metaphorical or symbolic concept, indicating that true fulfillment, enlightenment, or transcendence is unattainable through any single path or action.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID BYRNE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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