Darnielle began the new millennium with The Coroner's Gambit for Absolutely Kosher before signing to 4AD for the release of the surprisingly polished Tallahassee in 2002. We Shall All Be Healed followed in 2004, and one year later, Darnielle was back with The Sunset Tree. Remaining as prolific as ever, Darnielle turned away from the intensity of The Sunset Tree for a calmer, more reflective set of songs on 2006's Get Lonely. The accessible and assured Heretic Pride appeared in 2008. Next up was the Bible verse-inspired The Life of the World to Come, the group's sixth album for 4AD, in 2010. Switching to Merge Records in 2011, Darnielle released All Eternals Deck, which was recorded in four different studios in Brooklyn, Boston, North Carolina, and Florida with four different producers -- John Congleton, Scott Solter, Brandon Eggleston, and Morbid Angel guitarist and Hate Eternal frontman Erik Rutan -- helming various tracks. That year the band was also handpicked by Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel to perform at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival that he was curating in Minehead, England, but they were ultimately unable to appear due to scheduling issues.
Isaiah 45:23
The Mountain Goats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In these last hours, if the spirit waits in check, help me let it go
And should my suffering double, let me never love you less
Let every knee be bent and every tongue confess
And I won't get better
But someday I'll be free
'Cause I am not this body
I read the magazines somebody brought
Hold them to my failing eyes until my hands get hot
And when the nurse comes in to change my sheets and clothes
The pain begins to travel, dancing as it goes
And I won't get better
But someday I'll be free
'Cause I am not this body
That imprisons me
If my prayer goes unanswered, that's alright
If my path fills with darkness and there's no sign of light
Let me praise you for the good times, let me hold your banner high
Until the hills are flattened and the rivers all run dry
And I won't get better
But someday I'll be free
'Cause I am not this body
That imprisons me
The Mountain Goats's song Isaiah 45:23 is a powerful and poignant reflection on the nature of suffering, faith, and perseverance in the face of adversity. The singer acknowledges their pain and vulnerability but also expresses a deep faith that transcends their physical body. The lyrics address the struggle to maintain humility and faith in dire circumstances, and the tension between the present suffering and the hope of ultimate freedom.
The first stanza begins with a plea for humility in prayer and an acknowledgement that the spirit may need to be released. The second line references a potential increase in suffering, but the singer pledges to not love their faith any less because of it. The final line references the biblical verse Isaiah 45:23, which speaks to every person eventually recognizing the power of a divine presence in the world. The refrain "And I won't get better / But someday I'll be free / 'Cause I am not this body / That imprisons me" is an admittance of the reality of the situation – physical healing may not come, but there is still hope for a freedom that is not dependent on their physical constraints.
The second stanza shows the singer coping with being bedridden, seeking solace in reading magazines even when their failing eyes cannot retain the information. The imagery of pain as a dancer brings a tactile reality to the suffering. The final stanza returns to the theme of humility and praise even in the midst of unanswered prayers and darkness. The refrain encourages the singer (and the listener) to remember there is power beyond the physical body, and that hope and freedom can transcend even the most difficult circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
If my prayer be not humble, make it so
If my prayer is not humble enough, please help me to make it so.
In these last hours, if the spirit waits in check, help me let it go
If my spirit is holding on in these final moments, please help me to let go.
And should my suffering double, let me never love you less
Even if my suffering increases, please help me to never lose my love for you.
Let every knee be bent and every tongue confess
May everyone acknowledge your power and authority.
And I won't get better
I will not improve physically.
But someday I'll be free
I will be liberated from my physical body.
'Cause I am not this body
I am not defined by my physical body.
That imprisons me
My body is a limitation and constraint to me, but not who I truly am.
I read the magazines somebody brought
I looked at some magazines someone brought to me.
Hold them to my failing eyes until my hands get hot
I hold the magazines close to my eyes until my hands become warm.
And when the nurse comes in to change my sheets and clothes
And when the nurse comes to take care of me.
The pain begins to travel, dancing as it goes
The pain moves and spreads through my body in a lively way.
If my prayer goes unanswered, that's alright
If my prayer is not answered, I will still be okay.
If my path fills with darkness and there's no sign of light
If everything looks bleak and hopeless.
Let me praise you for the good times, let me hold your banner high
Help me to remember and celebrate the good times and stay faithful to you.
Until the hills are flattened and the rivers all run dry
Until the end of time itself.
Contributed by Eva W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
reesely
If my prayer be not humble, make it so
In these last hours, if the spirit waits in check, help me let it go
And should my suffering double, let me never love you less
Let every knee be bent and every tongue confess
And I won't get better
But someday I'll be free
'Cause I am not this body
That imprisons me
I read the magazines somebody brought
Hold them to my failing eyes until my hands get hot
And when the nurse comes in to change my sheets and clothes
The pain begins to travel, dancing as it goes
And I won't get better
But someday I'll be free
'Cause I am not this body
That imprisons me
If my prayer goes unanswered, that's alright
If my path fills with darkness and there's no sign of light
Let me praise you for the good times, let me hold your banner high
Until the hills are flattened and the rivers all run dry
And I won't get better
But someday I'll be free
'Cause I am not this body
That imprisons me
Gwendolyn Clark
If my prayer be not humble, make it so
In these last hours, if the spirit waits in check, help me let it go
And should my suffering double, let me never love you less
Let every knee be bent and every tongue confess
And I won't get better
But someday I'll be free
'Cause I am not this body
That imprisons me
I read the magazines somebody brought
Hold them to my failing eyes until my hands get hot
And when the nurse comes in to change my sheets and clothes
The pain begins to travel, dancing as it goes
And I won't get better
But someday I'll be free
'Cause I am not this body
That imprisons me
If my prayer goes unanswered, that's alright
If my path fills with darkness and there's no sign of light
Let me praise you for the good times, let me hold your banner high
Until the hills are flattened and the rivers all run dry
And I won't get better
But someday I'll be free
'Cause I am not this body
That imprisons me
reesely
If my prayer be not humble, make it so
In these last hours, if the spirit waits in check, help me let it go
And should my suffering double, let me never love you less
Let every knee be bent and every tongue confess
And I won't get better
But someday I'll be free
'Cause I am not this body
That imprisons me
I read the magazines somebody brought
Hold them to my failing eyes until my hands get hot
And when the nurse comes in to change my sheets and clothes
The pain begins to travel, dancing as it goes
And I won't get better
But someday I'll be free
'Cause I am not this body
That imprisons me
If my prayer goes unanswered, that's alright
If my path fills with darkness and there's no sign of light
Let me praise you for the good times, let me hold your banner high
Until the hills are flattened and the rivers all run dry
And I won't get better
But someday I'll be free
'Cause I am not this body
That imprisons me
Jacob
My dad had a lot of issues in his head that he just couldn’t get past. I had a terribly complicated relationship with him that made me almost hate him, but he just passed away and I’m thinking about what he had to deal with. I think a lot was out of his control and that he may’ve been trapped, and I’m just glad he has a clean slate and a fresh start now, wherever he is.
Holly
What a beautiful tribute to your dad. Thanks for sharing!
Drew Harrington
I grew up going to church, and got bored by the hymns. But this song/whole album I really like. These are hymns for the 21st century.
tehchriso
This song is hauntingly beautiful. As a now-atheist/ex-Catholic, the message speaks strongly to me as well.
leor fink
I love this song.
I'm an atheist, and this song reminds me to love and to believe even during suffering.
Also it reminds my I'm not my sercumstance, I will prevail.
John Cephas
Have you sought to find? :)
newt!
this hits different after my mom was diagnosed with ALS. as always, modern day hymns
NitrogenFixation
"'Cause I am not this body, that imprisons me..." Beautiful. Reminds me of when Paul asked God to heal him of a physical ailment repeatedly, and though God declined to do so, Paul continued to praise Him (and seems to refer directly to that, though it's more directly inspired by, obviously, Isaiah 45:23 and its meaning). Are these guys Christians, or just inspired by the Bible? I believe they sing a rendition of Abide With Me, so I assume they're Christians, but one never knows...
Magpie Lahr
John is Catholic, though he has said before he doesn't so much believe in God as he is culturally Catholic and believes in the power of prayer. (This was from a 10 year old interview, no idea if his position has changed since.)