Justice Delivers Its Death
Sufjan Stevens Lyrics


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Silver and gold, silver and gold
Everyone wishes for it
How do you measure its worth?
Just by the pleasure it gives here on earth.

Oh, I'm getting old
Oh, I'm getting old
Everyone wishes for youth
How have I wasted my life?
Trusting the pleasure it gives here on earth

Lord, come with fire
Lord, come with fire
Everyone's wasting their time
Storing up treasure in vain
Trusting the pleasure it gives here on earth

Oh, I see the end
Oh, I see the end
Everyone's waiting for death
How do you measure its worth?
Justice delivers its gift here on earth





Silver and gold, silver and gold
Silver and gold, silver and gold

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of "Silver and gold, silver and gold, everyone wishes for it" introduce the song's central theme: the human desire for wealth, youth, pleasure, and longevity. Sufjan Stevens juxtaposes the material riches of silver and gold with the intangible ones of youth and pleasure, both of which fade with time. The chorus then shifts to a lament of aging: "Oh, I'm getting old, everyone wishes for youth," indicating how time robs us of our most precious gift. The next lines "How have I wasted my life? Trusting the pleasure it gives here on earth," reflect the futility of seeking joy and satisfaction in temporary things, without a consideration of their eternal value.


The central message of the song depicts an urgency in preparing for death and eternal judgment, as indicated by the line "Lord, come with fire." The chorus emphasizes that everything on this earth will eventually pass away and that we need to focus not on our own temporal treasures but the justice that awaits us beyond death. The song speaks of the fleeting nature of life's pleasures and possessions and encourages listeners to consider the value of their lives in the context of eternity.


Line by Line Meaning

Silver and gold, silver and gold
Everyone wishes for material wealth


How do you measure its worth?
What defines the true value of wealth?


Just by the pleasure it gives here on earth.
Wealth is only measured by how it brings temporary enjoyment in life.


Oh, I'm getting old
As one grows older, they start questioning the value of their life.


Everyone wishes for youth
People seek to regain their lost youth.


How have I wasted my life?
Regretting past actions that have lead to an unfulfilling life.


Trusting the pleasure it gives here on earth
Believing that temporary enjoyment is the key to a fulfilling life.


Lord, come with fire
A plea for divine intervention to rid the world of its vain pursuits.


Everyone's wasting their time
People spend too much time on Earth chasing material wealth.


Storing up treasure in vain
Pursuing wealth for its own sake is pointless.


Oh, I see the end
One comes to understand their own mortality.


Everyone's waiting for death
All people must confront the inevitability of their own mortality.


Justice delivers its gift here on earth
The true worth of life is not measured by temporary pleasures, but by a just legacy left behind.


Silver and gold, silver and gold
Repetition of the opening line, reinforcing the idea that many people place undue emphasis on wealth.




Contributed by Isaiah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@ashwanisingh3644

You have really good music❤️🔥

@Jackie-fw9ek

Kills me how underrated he is

@psychicblobfish5550

One of my favorite songs of all time

@bleachdrinker69

This is so beautiful! I heard the guitar demo a while ago and fell in love with it, now finding the full version is even better!

@liviniacorrias2940

I've loved this song for so long now but every time I hear it I still love it

@niceguy6831

♥️♥️♥️

@supertavio2

This song.. Oh God, this song

@danteamarantes3781

oi

@supertavio2

@Francis Dante oie HAUAHAUAHAUAHAHAU

@_lucasrsilva_

@Francis Dante Ahhh, BRs por aqui.😗🇧🇷✨

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