Religion
Parson James Lyrics

Parson James's song "Religion" touches upon the rocky relationship between love, faith, and sacrifice. The opening lyrics, "Reach out for my cross and then I reach for the bottle, hope I don't get lost but ain't no time for tomorrow," highlight the singer's inner conflict between their religious beliefs and personal struggles with addiction. They want guidance from their deity, but at the same time, they turn to alcohol as a temporary solution to their problems.

The chorus, "I'll be your saint, be your sinner, I'll do anything just to get wit ya, you can take, I'm your giver, I'll do anything, just to get wit ya, Heaven or hell can take my soul, and for you, I'd lose it all, I'll be your saint, be your sinner, I'll do anything, anything...for your religion," reinforces the theme of sacrifice. The singer would do anything to keep their loved ones happy, even if it means jeopardizing their own well-being. The line "Heaven or hell can take my soul" implies that this devotion extends beyond their earthly life, highlighting the depth of dedication.

The second verse, "Kneel down, load my gun, break my bread at the altar, your red wine fills my cup, I wash it down like water," includes religious imagery such as "altar" and "red wine," but paired with the ominous "load my gun" suggests a darker side to this devotion. The singer's dedication goes so far as to imply that they would even take violent action for their loved ones.

Overall, "Religion" is a complex commentary on the relationship between love, faith, and sacrifice. While the singer is willing to go to great lengths for their loved ones, they grapple with their inner demons and question the morality of their actions.