Neon Cathedral
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Lyrics

Round here they sing broken hymns
The people here have lost their faith and their prayers are no longer genuine

The prayers flow better when I'm soaked they're gin
Drinking helps ease the pain and helps with expressing oneself while praying

The air is rusty and sits in the corner
The place is old and neglected, adding to the feeling of hopelessness

Bad bartender that'll pickpocket your heart
The bartender is manipulative and knows how to take advantage of vulnerable customers

And a jukebox that'll steal your quarter
Even the jukebox is rigged to take advantage of the customers

Bartender, please give me a confession
The singer is seeking solace and absolution from the bartender

Exchange fear for courage in the form of a well drink
Alcohol is providing false courage and confidence to confront one's issues

There's a heavy current, got a long way to swim
The artist is faced with a long, difficult journey to overcome their issues

Closed the Bible a while ago, I need some shots for this sin
The artist has given up on religion and is using alcohol as a coping mechanism

Hail Mary, come with me, feel like Pac when it hits
The artist is referencing a famous song by the rapper Tupac and is seeking guidance from a higher power

Got some fire in my belly and a riot in the gut
The singer is feeling strongly about their issues and is ready to take action

Bushmills for a band-aid, the sweet taste of blood
Alcohol is being used to numb the pain, much like a band-aid would cover a wound

Then I might actually feel something if I don't cover it up
The singer is aware that they are using alcohol to avoid confronting their emotions

Watch their faces, familiar places
The singer is observing the people around them and recognizing their own struggles in others

Even if they didn't left the vinyl booth that they stayed in
The people around the singer also appear to be stuck and unable to move forward

The motel next door, a sign that reads vacant
The motel represents the emptiness and loneliness the artist is feeling

And a truth that's so strong I'd be a fool not to chase it
The artist knows that they need to face their issues head on, even if it's difficult

But yea, I'm a fool and I stay here
Despite knowing what needs to be done, the singer is still struggling to overcome their issues

Hope these problems bail themselves, I die in wait here
The singer is hoping that their issues will magically disappear, but is aware that they may never get better if they don't take action

One more, four more, fuck it a night cap
The artist is continuing to drink and avoid facing their issues

Service starts at 5 tomorrow and I'll be right back
The artist knows that they will continue the same destructive pattern and be back at the bar the next day

Underneath this fragile frame
The artist is feeling vulnerable and weak

Lives a battle between pride and shame
The singer is conflicted between feeling proud of who they are and feeling ashamed of their actions

But I've misplaced that sense of fight
The artist has lost their motivation to fight for themselves and their beliefs

This crown of thorns has punched the top my spine
The singer is feeling weighed down by their problems, like a physical burden

But listen closely as I testify
The singer is asking the listener to pay attention to their story and struggles

Dependency has been a thief at night
Addiction has been stealing the singer's happiness and well-being

I read the Bible but I forgot the verses
The artist has lost their faith and is struggling to remember what they once believed

The liquor store is open later than the churches
Alcohol is more readily available and accessible than spiritual guidance and support

Pure by their imperfections, everything is burning
Even though the world is imperfect, everything feels like it's falling apart

To hell with the confessions, oh the Lord immerses
The singer has lost faith in the power of confessing to a higher power and is turning to alcohol instead

Blessed in holy water, the sin of Holy Father
The artist is contrasting the idea of being blessed with holy water and the sinfulness of religious figures

Have you ever smelled bless that smells atmonic Vodka
The artist is making a sarcastic comparison between the smell of holy water and alcohol

11 AM in the morning and you can't get it off ya
The artist is already drinking early in the day and is unable to quit

Comment to the preacher but it's like the pastor isn't talking
The singer is seeking guidance from religious leaders, but no one seems to be listening or helpful

Until the store opens I can read up on that doctrine
The artist is using religion as a way to distract themselves from their problems

The people close to me say I'm in need of a doctor
The singer's loved ones recognize that they are struggling and need professional help

Think that I got a problem but these are not apostles
The singer is questioning whether addiction is really a sin or if it's just a medical problem

This the drink of the Lord, that's according to my gospel
The singer is jokingly referring to alcohol as a part of their personal beliefs

Open to interpretation, if you're judging it I don't want it
The artist doesn't want anyone else's judgment or interference in how they choose to live their life

I got tins that scole like my throat when I hit the bottle
The artist is physically affected by drinking, but continues to do it anyway

And I'm sinking and that's why I keep on drinking
The singer is using alcohol as a way to cope with their problems, but it's only making things worse

I need a refill, bar more than once every weekend
The singer is constantly seeking alcohol and is unable to control their drinking

Sweet Jesus, I'm getting amnesia
The artist is losing their memory and sense of self due to alcohol abuse

Shaking til I'd get a taste, my faith is having seizures
The artist is physically affected by the withdrawal symptoms of alcohol and is struggling with their faith as a result

Every time I walk away and try to leave it
The artist is trying to quit drinking and overcome their addiction, but is struggling to do so

Wouldn't miss it for the world
The singer is addicted to alcohol and can't imagine living without it

Baptized in my vices and the bar is my church
The artist is dependent on alcohol and considers the bar to be their place of worship

Traded my artist and I pawned off the easel
The singer has given up on their passions and hobbies in exchange for alcohol

Spend it all searching for God at the neon cathedral
The singer is trying to find solace and answers through drinking, but is only finding emptiness

Dependency has been a thief at night
The singer is being robbed of their happiness and well-being by their addiction to alcohol

Thief at night, thief at night
The artist's addiction haunts them and robs them of their peace even at night