1. MATTHEW is an alternative roc… Read Full Bio ↴Many artists have the name MATTHEW:
1. MATTHEW is an alternative rock band from Chicago, featuring members of the bands Lacklustre & Seven Day Jesus. They released one full length on Rykodisc and an independent 7" vinyl before being dropped from the label in 2003. They have been promising and talking about a recorded sophomore album for the last three years. The lead singer, Brian McSweeney is currently recording his debut solo album.
2. MATTHEW is a club/dub/metal project from Phoenix, Az artist Matthew Draving. An album entitled "PHX" was released in 2009.
Dirge
Matthew Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lightly falls from the finish'd Sabbath,
On the pavement here, and there beyond it is looking,
Down a new-made double grave.
Lo, the moon ascending,
Up from the east the silvery round moon,
Beautiful over the house-tops, ghastly, phantom moon,
I see a sad procession,
And I hear the sound of coming full-key'd bugles,
All the channels of the city streets they are flooding,
As with voices and with tears.
I hear the great drums pounding,
And the small drums steady whirring
And every blow of the great convulsive drums,
Strikes me through and through.
For the son is brought with the father,
(In the foremost ranks of the fierce assault they fell,
Two veterans son and father dropt together,
And the double grave awaits them.)
And nearer blow the bugles,
And the drums strike more convulsive,
And the daylight o'er the pavement quite has faded,
And the strong dead-march enwraps me.
In the eastern sky up-buoying,
The sorrowful vast phantom moves illumin'd,
('Tis some mother's large transparent face,
In heaven brighter growing.)
O strong dead-march you please me!
O moon immense with your silvery face you soothe me!
O my soldiers twain! O my veterans passing to burial!
What I have I also give you.
The moon gives you light,
And the bugles and the drums give you music,
And my heart, O my soldiers, my veterans,
My heart gives you love.
Down a new-made double grave.
Lo, the moon ascending,
Up from the east the silvery round moon,
Beautiful over the house-tops, ghastly, phantom moon,
Immense and silent moon.
I see a sad procession,
And I hear the sound of coming full-key'd bugles,
All the channels of the city streets they are flooding,
As with voices and with tears.
I hear the great drums pounding,
And the small drums steady whirring
And every blow of the great convulsive drums,
Strikes me through and through.
For the son is brought with the father,
(In the foremost ranks of the fierce assault they fell,
Two veterans son and father dropt together,
And the double grave awaits them.)
And nearer blow the bugles,
And the drums strike more convulsive,
And the daylight o'er the pavement quite has faded,
And the strong dead-march enwraps me.
In the eastern sky up-buoying,
The sorrowful vast phantom moves illumin'd,
('Tis some mother's large transparent face,
In heaven brighter growing.)
O strong dead-march you please me!
O moon immense with your silvery face you soothe me!
O my soldiers twain! O my veterans passing to burial!
What I have I also give you.
The moon gives you light,
And the bugles and the drums give you music,
And my heart, O my soldiers, my veterans,
My heart gives you love.
The song "Dirge" by Matthew is a somber and melancholic reflection on loss and mourning. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a scene where the singer observes a funeral procession and the surrounding atmosphere.
In the first paragraph, the singer describes the setting as the last beams of sunlight filter through the city streets and fall upon a newly dug grave. The mention of the Sabbath suggests that the end of the week and the peacefulness associated with it are juxtaposed with the sadness of the funeral. The use of the word "new-made" implies a recent loss.
In the second paragraph, the focus shifts to the moon rising in the east. The moon is described as both beautiful and ghostly, creating an eerie ambiance. Its immensity and silence could be seen as reflective of the vastness and emptiness that death brings.
The third paragraph describes the sad procession and the sound of bugles approaching, possibly signifying a military funeral. The city streets are depicted metaphorically as channels flooding with voices and tears, suggesting the overwhelming grief affecting not only the mourners but also the entire community.
The fourth paragraph intensifies the atmosphere as the singer hears the powerful pounding of the great drums and the steady whirring of the smaller drums. Every beat of the convulsive drums resonates deeply within the singer, symbolizing the emotional impact of the loss. It is revealed that both father and son fell together in battle, and now their double grave awaits them.
As the bugles blow closer and the drums grow even more intense, the daylight fades completely, enveloping the singer in the somber ambiance of the dead-march. In the eastern sky, a sorrowful, illuminated phantom moves upward, which the singer interprets as the face of a mother in heaven, becoming brighter and more transparent. This celestial apparition represents a spiritual connection between the deceased soldiers and their loved ones.
The singer finds solace in the strength and beauty of death's march, as well as in the vast, soothing presence of the moon. Addressing the soldiers directly, the singer recognizes their sacrifice and acknowledges the offerings they receive in return. The moon provides light, the bugles and drums provide music, and the singer's heart gives love. The final repetition of the line "Down a new-made double grave" serves to emphasize the finality of the loss and the deep sorrow felt for the fallen soldiers.
Overall, the song "Dirge" captures the haunting essence of mourning, the collective grief experienced by a community, and the bittersweet comfort found in remembering and honoring those who have passed away.
Line by Line Meaning
The last sunbeam
The final ray of sunlight
Lightly falls from the finish'd Sabbath
Gently descends from the completed day of rest
On the pavement here, and there beyond it is looking
Illuminating the ground and beyond
Down a new-made double grave
Towards a recently dug grave for two
Lo, the moon ascending
Behold, the moon rising
Up from the east the silvery round moon
Emerging from the eastern horizon, a gleaming spherical moon
Beautiful over the house-tops, ghastly, phantom moon
Radiant above the rooftops, eerie and ethereal, a spectral moon
Immense and silent moon
Vast and quiet celestial body
I see a sad procession
I witness a mournful parade
And I hear the sound of coming full-key'd bugles
And I perceive the approaching sound of resounding bugles
All the channels of the city streets they are flooding
Filling the city streets with their melodic resonance
As with voices and with tears
Pervaded by voices and tears
I hear the great drums pounding
I listen to the powerful drums beating
And the small drums steady whirring
While the smaller drums constantly hum
And every blow of the great convulsive drums
And each strike of the immense and intense drums
Strikes me through and through
Penetrates me deeply
For the son is brought with the father
Because the son is carried alongside his father
(In the foremost ranks of the fierce assault they fell
(They fell together in the front lines of the intense battle
Two veterans son and father dropt together
Two experienced soldiers, father and son, fell simultaneously
And the double grave awaits them)
And now they rest in the shared burial plot
And nearer blow the bugles
And closer the bugles play
And the drums strike more convulsive
And the drums beat more violently
And the daylight o'er the pavement quite has faded
And the daylight gradually disappears from the ground
And the strong dead-march enwraps me
And the powerful funeral procession surrounds me
In the eastern sky up-buoying
Rising in the eastern sky
The sorrowful vast phantom moves illumin'd
The melancholic and immense apparition moves, illuminated
('Tis some mother's large transparent face
(It is the sizable and translucent face of a mother
In heaven brighter growing)
Becoming increasingly radiant in the heavens
O strong dead-march you please me!
Oh, powerful funereal march, you bring me solace!
O moon immense with your silvery face you soothe me!
Oh, immense moon with your luminous countenance, you comfort me!
O my soldiers twain! O my veterans passing to burial!
Oh, my two brave soldiers! Oh, my experienced warriors proceeding towards their final resting place!
What I have I also give you
What I possess, I present to you as well
The moon gives you light
The moon bestows illumination upon you
And the bugles and the drums give you music
And the bugles and drums provide you with music
And my heart, O my soldiers, my veterans
And my heart, oh my soldiers, my experienced warriors
My heart gives you love
My heart offers you love
Down a new-made double grave
Towards a recently dug grave for two
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Kurt Weill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind