Elegy For Dunkirk
Jeff Beck; Olivia Safe Lyrics
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Forgive our foolish ways!
Re-clothe us in our rightful mind,
In purer lives thy service find,
In deeper reverence praise.
In simple trust like theirs who heard,
Beside the Syrian sea,
Let us, like them, without a word
Rise up and follow thee.
O Sabbath rest by Galilee!
O calm of hills above,
Where Jesus knelt to share with thee
The silence of eternity,
Interpreted by love!
Drop thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease,
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of thy peace.
Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and thy balm,
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire,
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still small voice of calm!
The lyrics to "Elgy for Dunkirk" by Jeff Beck featuring Olivia Safe are a poetic representation of a prayer. The prayer asks for forgiveness for humanity's foolish ways, and requests to be "re-clothed" in a "rightful mind" to serve God more purely and with deeper reverence. The lyrics also reference the story of Jesus calling his disciples by the Sea of Galilee, encouraging listeners to follow God's calling without hesitation.
The words of the prayer then shift to a meditation on rest and peace, referencing the Sabbath rest by Galilee and the calm of hills above. The image of Jesus kneeling and sharing the silence of eternity with the hills is a powerful symbol of the divine presence, interpreted by love. The prayer asks for this same calm and peacefulness to be dropped into our souls, taking away the strain and stress we feel in our daily lives, and allowing us to confess the beauty of God's peace.
In the final stanza of the prayer, the singer asks for God's mercy to soothe their desires, allowing their senses and flesh to retire so that they may hear the "still small voice of calm" through the upheavals and unpredictable elements of life. Overall, the lyrics of "Elgy for Dunkirk" encourage listeners to seek forgiveness, peace, and connection with the divine, through trust, reverence, and humility.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
Addressing God, requesting forgiveness of humanity's foolish ways.
Forgive our foolish ways!
Asking for forgiveness of humanity's mistakes.
Re-clothe us in our rightful mind,
Asking to return to the state of purity, to engage in your service, and to offer deeper reverence.
In purer lives thy service find,
Requesting to lead a purer life in service of Him.
In deeper reverence praise.
Asking for a deeper state of reverence and devotion to Him.
In simple trust like theirs who heard,
Asking to follow them who heard and received His gracious calling with simple trust.
Beside the Syrian sea,
Referring to a location.
The gracious calling of the Lord,
Referring to the calling of God.
Let us, like them, without a word
Asking to follow God without hesitation.
Rise up and follow thee.
Asking to follow Him.
O Sabbath rest by Galilee!
Addressing the peaceful Sabbath day.
O calm of hills above,
Addressing the peaceful and serene surroundings.
Where Jesus knelt to share with thee
Referring to a time when Jesus found peace in prayer.
The silence of eternity,
Finding comfort and sympathy with the eternal silence.
Interpreted by love!
Finding hope and meaning through love.
Drop thy still dews of quietness,
Asking for a quiet and peaceful state.
Till all our strivings cease,
Asking for an end to all of life's struggles.
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
Asking to be rid of the mental and emotional strain and stress.
And let our ordered lives confess
Asking for a peaceful life.
The beauty of thy peace.
Asking to experience the beauty of peace.
Breathe through the heats of our desire
Asking to guide our deepest desires.
Thy coolness and thy balm,
Asking for calmness and healing.
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire,
Asking for a state of mental and physical rest.
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
Asking to communicate through any means.
O still small voice of calm!
Asking to hear His voice amidst the calmness.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DARIO MARIANELLI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind