The lyrics of this song are beautiful on their own, but when they are paired with what seem to be people responding to their beauty, they are even more powerful.
It makes me ask, what is behind the tears? Are they moved by the sincerity of the words? Do they weep because of a lost love? Or could it be the emotion of a person who does not believe in a God who will listen and act but desperately wishes such a god existed?
The production cost of this video must have been relatively small, but Glazer is able to make it work. Capturing raw emotion on film like this cannot be simple. Either these people are truly connecting with Cave's lyrics or they should all be nominated for an Oscar.
And to walk, like Christ, in grace and love And guide you into my arms
Beginning with the line “I don't believe in an interventionist God” is what brings this song such depth and complexity. This song is one of the more wonderful prayers ever put to music—and it is uttered by a person who doesn’t seem to think that it will make any difference.
I wonder how many people pray ever day even though they don’t think it matters. How many of us pray, not out of belief, but because it seems like a beautiful idea?
Do you weep along with the people in this video? Do you not believe in a God who will ‘intervene’ but are moved by the idea of One Who Would?
Into My Arms (lyrics)
by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
I don't believe in an interventionist God But I know, darling, that you do But if I did I would kneel down and ask Him Not to intervene when it came to you Not to touch a hair on your head To leave you as you are And if He felt He had to direct you Then direct you into my arms
Into my arms, O Lord Into my arms, O Lord Into my arms, O Lord Into my arms
And I don't believe in the existence of angels But looking at you I wonder if that's true But if I did I would summon them together And ask them to watch over you To each burn a candle for you To make bright and clear your path And to walk, like Christ, in grace and love And guide you into my arms
Into my arms, O Lord Into my arms, O Lord Into my arms, O Lord Into my arms
And I believe in Love And I know that you do too And I believe in some kind of path That we can walk down, me and you So keep your candlew burning And make her journey bright and pure That she will keep returning Always and evermore
Into my arms, O Lord Into my arms, O Lord Into my arms, O Lord Into my arms
That is a phenomenal song and video! Incredibly haunting. Made more so by the fact that Cave actually is a man who professes faith.
As to the crying? You may well be right. My take watching was that their tears were what moves Cave to sing. He's offering comfort. Their tears caused by pain of life that we don't know.
Regardless, I LOVE this video. Thanks for sharing it.
As to the crying? You may well be right. My take watching was that their tears were what moves Cave to sing. He's offering comfort. Their tears caused by pain of life that we don't know.
Regardless, I LOVE this video. Thanks for sharing it.