The Seer's Tower
Sufjan Stevens Lyrics
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There is a view that reaches far
Where we see the universe
I see the fire, I see the end
Seven miles above the earth
There is Emmanuel of mothers
With his sword, with his robe
In the tower above the earth, we built it for Emmanuel
In the powers of the earth, we wait until it rips and rips
In the tower above the earth, we built it for Emmanuel
Oh my mother, she betrayed us, but my father loved and bathed us
Still I go to the deepest grave
Where I go to sleep alone
The Seer's Tower is a song by Sufjan Stevens that seems to address themes of power, control, and the inevitable end of all things. The tower in question is a structure built high above the earth to watch over the universe. The singer sees the fire and the end from this vantage point, suggesting that even from the top of the tower, the world is doomed.
The song speaks of Emmanuel, a biblical figure who is associated with the end of days. He appears in the tower with his sword and robe, dividing man from brother. This line suggests that the division of humanity is inevitable, and perhaps even necessary.
The lyrics also speak of the singer's parents, his mother who betrayed him and his father who loved and bathed him. This contrast suggests that while people can cause pain and hurt, there are also those who provide love and solace.
Overall, The Seer's Tower is a pensive and introspective song that deals with weighty themes. It suggests that people can build structures and systems of power, but in the end, everything is eventually brought down.
Line by Line Meaning
In the tower above the earth
Referring to a fortified structure built above the planet's surface
There is a view that reaches far
From this high point, we can observe great distances
Where we see the universe
Our vision of the cosmos is amplified by this vantage point
I see the fire, I see the end
In the distance, I perceive a calamitous event, possibly the end of all things
Seven miles above the earth
Placed at a height of approximately seven miles
There is Emmanuel of mothers
An entity named Emmanuel, who represents motherhood in some capacity
With his sword, with his robe
Emmanuel is depicted as brandishing objects associated with authority and spiritual significance
He comes dividing man from brothers
Emmanuel's arrival brings strife and conflicts within families
In the powers of the earth, we wait until it rips and rips
Human societies on earth anticipate their eventual collapse and fragmentation
Oh my mother, she betrayed us, but my father loved and bathed us
The artist comes from a family marked by maternal treachery and paternal care and hygiene
Still I go to the deepest grave
The singer has a tendency to seek out lonely burial sites
Where I go to sleep alone
Death is portrayed as a solitary, dream-like state
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Sufjan Stevens
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind