In his own words (from his myspace page):
“For me it’s all about the SONG. I remember watching my father sitting at our dining room table for hours and hours with his pencil and pad crafting his songs; spending the time to find the perfect word, the perfect chord, the perfect melody. That really made an impression on me. When I write a song it really is a kind of science, an operation; but it isn’t mathematical or calculated, it is alive and breathing and moving. At the risk of sounding like a hippie on a soapbox, music is still powerful and holy and sacred to me. You can turn it into a product and a business, but you can’t start it that way. To me the genesis of a song has to be honest and unassuming. I truly believe that God hands me these gifts and it is my job to translate them as honestly as I can. You have to let a song be what it is. We can’t lose that. When I write songs, I like to focus on the fact that we are all the same and we are all just searching for answers and trying to make sense of everything. It's about exploring life and celebrating truth when you find it.”
First Stone
Sean McConnell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me off my knees
'Cos underneath these clothes I have a heart that beats
I'm not just flesh and bone
But go on, take me lower if you're able
Kick me while I'm already down
While you sweep your dirt underneath the table
So go on, throw the first stone
Come on, get the last word
'Cos it won't be the first time I've been on my own
'Cos if you think you're perfect
If you've never been blessed
If you've never felt alone
Go on, throw the first stone
Tell me what it takes for me to make you see
That you made your own mistakes
Is this your way to work through
The fact that you're a lot like me and I'm a lot like you
Go on, take me lower if you're able
Kick me while I'm already down
While you sweep your dirt underneath the table
You know I'm not the only sinner in this town
So go on, throw the first stone
Come on, get the last word
'Cos it won't be the first time
I've been on my own
'Cos if you think you're perfect
If you've never been blessed
If you've never felt alone
Then go on, throw the first stone
And I guess you won't be happy till I bleed
And I guess somehow that gives you what you need
Is there no one else that you can patronise
Maybe someone your own size
So go on, throw the first stone
Come on, get the last word
'Cos it won't be the first time
I've been on my own
And if you think you're perfect
If you've never been blessed
If you've never felt so alone
Then go on, throw the first stone
Go on, throw the first stone
"First Stone" by Sean McConnell is a plea for mercy from someone who feels beaten down by the judgment and criticism of others. The song opens with a request to be spared for just one day, highlighting the overwhelming and constant pressure to meet others' expectations. The singer's vulnerability is underscored by the admission that they are not just flesh and bone, but have a heart that beats underneath their clothes. The accusatory tone of the second verse highlights the irony of being kicked while already down and having dirt swept under the table by those who are quick to judge. The repeated refrain to "throw the first stone" calls out the hypocrisy of those who are quick to judge but have their own sins and shortcomings.
The use of biblical imagery in the title and the phrase "throw the first stone" alludes to the story of the woman caught in adultery in the Bible, where Jesus tells the crowd, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." This connection to a powerful and widely known story adds weight to the song's message about the danger of judging others without first considering one's own flaws.
Overall, "First Stone" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that encourages listeners to be more compassionate and less judgmental towards one another.
Line by Line Meaning
Could you spare me please, if only just one day
Asking for time to be left alone
Let me off my knees
Stop begging to be forgiven or understood
'Cos underneath these clothes I have a heart that beats
Being more than just a physical body, having emotions and feelings
I'm not just flesh and bone
Being a complex human being, more than just a physical body
But go on, take me lower if you're able
Challenging others to bring forth their worst behavior
Kick me while I'm already down
Taking advantage of someone when they are already struggling
While you sweep your dirt underneath the table
Covering up one's own mistakes and flaws
You know I'm not the only sinner in this town
Pointing out that nobody is perfect
So go on, throw the first stone
Inviting others to judge and criticize
Come on, get the last word
Allowing someone to have the final say in an argument or conflict
'Cos it won't be the first time I've been on my own
Feeling accustomed to being left alone
'Cos if you think you're perfect
Pointing out that nobody is perfect
If you've never been blessed
Having never experienced good fortune or success
If you've never felt alone
Never experiencing feelings of isolation or loneliness
Tell me what it takes for me to make you see
Asking for clarity and understanding of the situation
That you made your own mistakes
Pointing out that everyone has made mistakes
Is this your way to work through
Asking if attacking others is a way to cope with one's own problems
The fact that you're a lot like me and I'm a lot like you
Recognizing that everyone shares similarities and experiences
And I guess you won't be happy till I bleed
Pointing out that some people enjoy seeing others suffer
And I guess somehow that gives you what you need
Acknowledging that some people need to feel superior by putting others down
Is there no one else that you can patronise
Asking if there is no one else to belittle or criticize
Maybe someone your own size
Suggesting that someone should only attack others their own level or status
Then go on, throw the first stone
Inviting others to judge and criticize
Contributed by Zoe D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.