Christmas
Ulver (2005) Lyrics
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Has neither come nor gone, but error moves.
Today we have exchanged eternities
And what is past no novelty improves.
Blind knowledge is working at useless ground
And crazy faith is living the dream of its liturgy
A new god is a word - or the mere sound
The lyrics of Ulver's 2005 song "Christmas" is a reflection on the nature of time and belief. The opening lines "A god is born and others die. What is Has neither come nor gone, but error moves" bring to mind the cyclical nature of time, and how the birth and death of gods, or any other significant events, do not actually change anything. The second line is particularly intriguing, as it suggests that what exists does not change, but our perception of reality is what shifts, leading to errors or mistaken interpretations.
The following lines, "Today we have exchanged eternities And what is past no novelty improves," highlight the futility of striving for constant newness or novelties, as everything that exists in the present can be seen as a continuation of the past. The lyrics seem to suggest that the constant search for newness is ultimately fruitless, as time continues to circle back onto itself. The lines "Blind knowledge is working at useless ground And crazy faith is living the dream of its liturgy" hint at the misguided nature of both faith and knowledge when they operate without a clear understanding of reality. In closing, the lyrics present a warning to not trust or seek too deeply, as all things remain a mystery.
Line by Line Meaning
A god is born and others die. What is
The birth of one god leads to the end of others, and we question the concept of divinity.
Has neither come nor gone, but error moves.
The idea of a god is eternal, but our understanding of it may change and lead to wrong beliefs.
Today we have exchanged eternities
Through our actions and beliefs, we have shifted the course of our own existence.
And what is past no novelty improves.
Despite the passing of time, the old ways and traditions hold no greater value than the new.
Blind knowledge is working at useless ground
Pursuing knowledge without understanding its true purpose is like trying to plow barren soil.
And crazy faith is living the dream of its liturgy
A blindly devoted faith follows rituals and dogma without questioning their meaning or relevance.
A new god is a word - or the mere sound
New beliefs or gods are only created through language and the power of the spoken word.
Don't seek and don't trust, for all is mystery.
The true nature of divinity and existence is unknown and should not be blindly trusted or sought after.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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