Hippo Campus was formed in 2013 by Jake Luppen (lead vocals & guitar), Nath… Read Full Bio ↴Hippo Campus was formed in 2013 by Jake Luppen (lead vocals & guitar), Nathan Stocker (lead guitar & vocals), Zach Sutton (bass & keys) and Whistler Allen (drums & vocals) after the four-piece met at the St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists.

Their first EP was released that same year, but was taken down when 2015 EPs Bashful Creatures and South was dropped.

The band's first LP, landmark was released in early 2017, and was followed by warm glow (EP). During this time, DeCarlo Jackson (trumpet, bass & percussion), who had been in a band with Nathan and Whistler in high school, started touring with the band.

In 2018, the band released their second LP, Bambi.

Close to Gold
Hippo Campus Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

And I could not tell by the power of
The prophet spit fire all through your blood
If Jesus had brothers like I do him
Then walking on water is a place for fear

The demons and lions bow their heads in shame
The devil appeared and the bible came
You baptized my grief with a kiss of grace

They cut off my ears and I feel the pain

The pictures are plagued with amazing grace
And Mary had liquor so passionate
I kill a man with fists, oh knew me well

It's like home, it's like home, it's like home, hey
It's like home, it's like home, it's like home, hey
It's like home, it's like home, it's like home, hey
It's like home, hey
It's like home, hey
It's like home, it's like home, it's like home, hey

I should've known it's poetry, it's poetry, it's close to gold
It's poetry, it's poetry, it's close to gold
It's gold, it's gold, it's gold

I should've known it's poetry, it's poetry, it's close to gold
It's poetry, it's poetry, it's close to gold
It's gold, it's gold, it's gold

I should've known it's poetry, it's poetry, it's close to gold
It's poetry, it's poetry, it's close to gold
It's gold, it's gold, it's gold

And I could not tell by the power of
The prophet spit fire all through your blood

If Jesus had brothers like I do him
Then walking on water is a place for fear

Overall Meaning

The song "Close to Gold" by Hippo Campus is a complex and intriguing exploration of faith, doubt, and identity. The opening lines of the song are cryptic and provocative, conjuring up images of prophets, fire, and blood. The singer muses on the possibility that even Jesus might have struggled with doubt and fear, and wonders if the famous miracle of walking on water might have been more terrifying than inspiring.

The second verse of the song is even more enigmatic, describing the appearance of the devil and the baptism of grief with a kiss of grace. The imagery here is vivid and unsettling, suggesting that salvation comes with a price and that even the most sacred rituals can be painful. The final lines of the song seem to suggest that despite all these challenges, there is a sense of homecoming and belonging that comes through the power of poetry and the elusive promise of gold.

Overall, "Close to Gold" is a haunting and beautiful meditation on the complexities of faith and the search for meaning in a world that can often seem chaotic and indifferent. It is a song that rewards careful listening and reflection, offering up new layers of meaning with each subsequent play.

Line by Line Meaning

And I could not tell by the power of
The singer is unsure of the strength of someone or something

The prophet spit fire all through your blood
A powerful figure has inspired or influenced the subject deeply

If Jesus had brothers like I do him
The subject feels a strong sense of community and brotherhood with those around him

Then walking on water is a place for fear
The idea of performing seemingly impossible feats is daunting and anxiety-inducing

The demons and lions bow their heads in shame
Even the most ferocious and powerful creatures are humbled and defeated in the presence of something greater

The devil appeared and the bible came
A powerful, evil force has come face-to-face with something holy and authoritative

You baptized my grief with a kiss of grace
An act of kindness or mercy has helped to alleviate the singer's pain or sadness

They cut off my ears and I feel the pain
The artist has suffered an injury or loss and is experiencing physical or emotional pain

The pictures are plagued with amazing grace
Although the subject is surrounded by beauty and goodness, they are still burdened by troubles and imperfections

And Mary had liquor so passionate
Mary, a symbolic figure of compassion and love, is associated with something intense and emotional

I kill a man with fists, oh knew me well
The singer has a history of violence and aggression, and those close to him are aware of this side of him

It's like home, it's like home, it's like home, hey
The current setting or situation feels familiar and comforting

I should've known it's poetry, it's poetry, it's close to gold
The singer realizes that certain experiences or emotions are like works of art, valuable and worth cherishing

It's gold, it's gold, it's gold
The subject has found something precious and invaluable in their life

Contributed by Brooklyn D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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