The Priest
Milow Lyrics

I'm Peter van der Hold
Introducing the singer, who is a man named Peter van der Hold.

I'm 68 years old
Peter is 68 years old, which implies that he is nearing the end of his life.

I doubt some questions have increased
Peter has a growing number of doubts and unanswered questions as he has aged.

In 42 years of being a priest
Peter has been a priest for 42 years.

I'm at the end of my life
Peter believes that he is approaching the end of his life.

I'm not sure if I'm gonna survive
Peter is uncertain about his ability to survive for much longer.

I often don't know what to say
Peter struggles to find the right words when he prays to God.

When I talk to Him, when I pray
Peter communicates with God through prayer.

In reply I receive
Peter receives a response from God.

Only silence, no relieve
The response Peter receives is silence, which does not provide any relief.

I've waited in vain for a little advice
Peter has been waiting for guidance from God, but has not received any.

From that great voice in ethereal skies
Peter is expecting to hear a voice from God, but it does not come.

Once I was revolutionary
In the past, Peter was more radical in his beliefs about God and religion.

A devoted mercenary
Peter was once more zealous in his religious devotion.

A gifted student in God's hands
God had a plan for Peter, and he was once a gifted student in God's eyes.

Now I'm old and sick of his demands
Peter has grown tired of God's expectations and demands.

I tried to be honest and good
Peter has endeavored to live an honest and virtuous life.

Did my job the best I could
Peter has done his best as a priest.

But I always stayed that average man
Peter has never been exceptional as a person or a priest.

Right in the spot where I began
Peter has not progressed much in his life or career.

During the grieve with which I've dealt
Peter has experienced much sorrow and grief in his life.

Spent three decades since I've felt
It has been 30 years since Peter last felt certainty in his belief in God.

The certainty I so adored 'bout the existence of the Lord
Peter once had absolute faith in God's existence, but that has faded over time.

I've seen enough, that's why I know
Peter's experiences have led him to a realization that God has left the world.

God left this place, long long time ago
Peter believes that God has not been present in the world for a very long time.

And time has made me good at one thing
Peter has become skilled in one area due to his age and experience.

And horrible at everything else
However, he has become inept in most aspects of his life.

The blessings of a world divine
Peter used to believe that the world was filled with divine blessings.

Were always elsewhere and never mine
However, he has never personally experienced these blessings.

Oh, I would like to hold someone
Peter desires human connection and affection.

Briefly maybe have some fun
Peter acknowledges that a romantic relationship may be fleeting, but he still desires it.

My body's hardly designed
Peter's physical condition may limit his ability to pursue relationships.

So I'm not really the hugging kind
Peter is not physically affectionate with others.

Not once has there been
Peter has never experienced this type of romantic interaction.

Someone with a softer skin
Peter has never been close to someone who is physically and emotionally soft or gentle.

Who reached out for me in the middle of the night
Peter has never experienced someone seeking comfort or intimacy from him.

'Cause my own lumpy mattress would've turn on the light
If someone were to move on the mattress, the light would turn on, indicating that Peter's bed is a cheap type.

I think I've been miscast
Peter believes that he has been put in the wrong role in his life.

And the time of saints is passed
Peter does not believe that the era of saints still exists.

My faith is reclassed but not least
Peter's faith has changed and developed, although it remains important to him.

The church is like a woman
The church is compared to a woman in this metaphor.

Thing out of reach like a vision
Peter cannot obtain his vision of the church or reach its true essence.

She glimmers in the distance which I could never quite get
The church remains a distant and unattainable ideal for Peter.

Now I'm stuck here with my regret
Peter is left with regret due to his unfulfilled goals and desires.

It's my portion, it's my cup...
This line is repeated several times for emphasis, perhaps alluding to the idea that Peter has accepted his situation and regrets.