Vito's Ordintaion Song
Sufjan Stevens Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I always knew you
In your mother's arms
I have called her name
I've an idea

Placed in your mind
To be a better man,
I've made a crown for you
And put it in your room

And when the bride groom comes
There will be noise.
And there will be glad
And the perfect bed

And when you write a poem
I know the words,
I know the sounds
Before you write it down

When you wear your clothes
I wear them too
I wear your shoes.
And the jacket too

I always knew you
In your mother's arms
I have called you son.
I've made amends

Between father and son.
Or if you haven't one
Rest in my arms,
Sleep in my bed,

There's a design
To what I did and said
Rest in my arms,




Sleep in my bed,
There's a design

Overall Meaning

Vito's Ordination Song by Sufjan Stevens is a heartfelt song about a father figure's love and support for his son. From the opening lines, "I always knew you/ In your mother's arms," it's clear that the singer has been a constant presence in the young man's life. He has been there to support and guide the young man, having "made a crown" for him and placed it in his room. The imagery of the crown is significant - it symbolizes the singer's recognition of the young man's potential and the belief that he can achieve great things.


The singer expresses joy and excitement at the thought of the young man's future and his eventual marriage, "And when the bridegroom comes/ There will be noise/ And there will be glad/ And the perfect bed." He is not just a supportive figure, but one who knows the young man intimately, even before he puts his thoughts into words, "When you write a poem/ I know the words/ I know the sounds/ Before you write it down." The lyrics suggest a deep spiritual bond between the two, with the singer offering himself as a source of comfort and support, "Rest in my arms/ Sleep in my bed/ There's a design/ To what I did and said."


Overall, Vito's Ordination Song is a touching tribute to the relationship between a mentor and the young man he loves. It speaks to the universal experience of having someone in our lives who has always been there for us, offering support, guidance, and unconditional love.


Line by Line Meaning

I always knew you
I have known you since the moment you were born


In your mother's arms
As a newborn, you were held by your mother and I was there


I have called her name
I have addressed your mother by her name


I've an idea
My mind is set on something


Placed in your mind
I have planted an idea in your head


To be a better man,
My goal is for you to become a better person


I've made a crown for you
I have prepared a special symbol of honor for you


And put it in your room
It is hidden in your personal space


And when the bride groom comes
On your wedding day, there will be excitement


There will be noise.
There will be celebration and a lot of activity


And there will be glad
Everyone will be joyful


And the perfect bed
You will be starting a new life with your partner


And when you write a poem
If you pursue poetry, I will understand your work


I know the words,
I am familiar with the language you use


I know the sounds
I am familiar with the style of your writing


Before you write it down
I can anticipate what you will create


When you wear your clothes
As you dress yourself, I am doing the same


I wear them too
I empathize with you by mimicking your attire


I wear your shoes.
I walk in your shoes to better understand your perspective


And the jacket too
I even wear your outerwear to be closer to you


I always knew you
I have known you all your life


In your mother's arms
As a baby, your mother was your safe haven


I have called you son.
To me, you are like a son


I've made amends
I have made things right


Between father and son.
I have mended the relationship between you and your father if there were issues


Or if you haven't one
If you do not have a father, I am here for you


Rest in my arms,
You can rely on me for comfort


Sleep in my bed,
You have a place to rest your head


There's a design
There is a plan or purpose behind my actions




Lyrics © NEW JERUSALEM MUSIC
Written by: SUFJAN STEVENS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions