What are you guys getting from this song. I havent really looked at it much, but when i did i was having trouble deciphering it.

its.. powerful, to say the least. i mean it might definately be about his mother... or someone else that they have lost.. it definately continues from vicarious. in vicarious he sets himself up as a greedy/violence enjoying mass of the crowd (eh.. to shorten up the summary) and in this one he admits that although he has all this, hewould give it all away, to prevent losing this "someone". its pretty strong.

They werent lying with they said this is thier blues album..... nice work tool!!!!

i like his continued use of "I"... it definately brings this feel of self centered-ness, and how he feels that its almost his fault that it happened... and thats his actions that could/would prevent it from happening (whatever that "it" is.)

I don't think it's a continuation of Vicarious at all... Vicarious is how you watch too much TV.

My impression is that he is lamenting on some of his past actions, how close he may have come to going over the edge through some of the experiences he has had. This song sounds like a thank you to whoever it may be directed at, perhaps his mother or son, repeating how he would wish away everything he has achieved, if it meant he could always have that person with him.

Well, since the song reminds me a bit of H., and I had heard H. had something to do with mjk's son, initially I'd assume the "you" may be his son.

That is, if the lyrics are actually from mjk's perspective.

If so, I dont really like this song as much. This would be the type of lyrics I was hoping he'd avoid when I read the articles talking about how this album would be more "personal" or whatever. Although I thought that it was Vicarious that would be the song bitching about how horrible it is to be a rockstar and fucks "living vicariously" though him.

This seriously sounds like a goddamn kid rock song, complete with lines about whores, drugs, and apparent references to himself as a "King".

just because hes saying that in first person, it doesnt mean hes talking about himself.

except kid rock would only wish for more hookers...not to wish them away. And think of how many people on this board consider maynard to be a god...doesn't seem that kid rock to me, honestly.

Well based on what I have been reading I see some parallels to current American colonialism. If you read about Jambi and what happened there with the dutch perhaps you will be able to make some comparisons as well.

I know this is my first post so take it easy on me..

Shine on benevolent son instead of song or sun? This way it would make a lot of sense if this song is dedicated to his son.

Sure, he wouldn't wish them away but might say Maynard might not either.
Shit, I'll trade places with him for a few days. Let me in on some of said Sultain-feasts on treasures and flesh.

Never thought I'd hear a whiny rockstar song from Tool. This album is supposed to be the alternative from the alternative? Shit, we've heard all this many times before.
I'd like to think that its written from someone else's perspective and that I'm interpreting the lyrics all wrong, but it seems to be along the same lines as:


http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Only-God-Knows-Why-lyrics-Kid-Rock/A15C30780416079C4825689D001E98DA

Only a little less straightforward. and Maynard has "found love!"
Fuckin cheesy, done to death already.

I think you might be onto something there. Another interesting point is that Jambi was also the site of Srivijaya, which was where Vajrayana Buddhism was heavily practiced. And some of the lyrical content has some tantric implications, which this style of Buddhism practices.

Interesting... Where can I read more about this?

"Here from the king's mountain view,
Here from the wild dream come true,
Feast like a sultan I do
On treasures and flesh, never few.

But I, I would wish it all away
If I thought I'd lose you just one day."

I feel the same way living in the US to a good degree.. I think the part about wishing it all away has to do with what actions we take to preserve the current state. Instead of enjoying the moment I think people spend to much time attempting to maintain the status quo...

Well, if you look at it more closely, it says "I would wish it all away if I thought I'd lose you just one day." And I think that is more a reference to be seperation from the divine. And you can read more about tantra and Vajrayana Buddhism on Wikipedia! ;)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajrayana

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tantra

A good book on tantra: Tantra: Path of Ecstacy

yea, it's definitely got to do with the dutch colonialization and reunion of the upper and lower river regions of Jambi. I didn't know about the buddhism, but that adds to the mystery that surrounds this song for me

also Srivijaya in Sanskrit, sri means 'shining' or 'radiant' and vijaya means victory or excellence.

since he is thankful for being pulled out of darkness in the early part of the song, he seems to ne thanking "light".... shine on benevolent sun... but i do not think he refers to the suns light directly, perhaps to a person that changed him or saved him. really seems like a conceptual continuation of Reflection.

i think h. actually.

likewise