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Here's a story of an honest man losing religion,
Climbing the pulpit steps before an eager congregation,
The while praying came a wicked inspiration,
Brothers, sisters this is what he said:

Dearly beloved, dearly beloved, dearly beloved,
(Make no mistake, despite our traits, I've seldom seen evidence of genes)
I can't relate to you, I can't relate to you!

He was the kind of guy who'd always go right out of his way,
But more before that crazy notion leapt right into his head,
And stubbornly crept into every mad perception,
I can't deny a funny feeling when he said:

Dearly beloved, dearly beloved, dearly beloved,
I can't relate to you, I can't relate to you!

Dearest in memoriam - set phasers to stun
And grab yourself a neighbors' skeleton to lean upon,
Did you know him in life - one filled with regret,
So soon we all forget - we ever met,

Do you know my name - sing a light refrain
For a man estranged - I won't deny that I'm inclined to isolate

Dearly beloved, dearly beloved, dearly beloved,
I can't relate to you, I can't relate to you!
I can't relate to you, I can't relate to you, I can't relate to you!

An elevated platform, lectern, or stand used in preaching or conducting a religious service

A large gathering of people

Having a tendency, preference, likelihood, or disposition

walder Henchman Location: Moscow Status: Offline Posts: 111	Quote To my way of thinking, the song is about spiritual awakening but in reverse. The man finds his belief system by rejecting religion. The best example of BR looking at things from different angles. I mean LOOKING IN at things. 06/18/2022 at 13:17 To my way of thinking, the song is about spiritual awakening but in reverse. The man finds his belief system by rejecting religion. The best example of BR looking at things from different angles. I mean LOOKING IN at things.
walder Henchman Location: Moscow Status: Offline Posts: 111	Quote To my way of thinking, the song is about spiritual awakening but in reverse. The man finds his belief system by rejecting religion. The best example of BR looking at things from different angles. I mean LOOKING IN at things. 06/18/2022 at 13:17 To my way of thinking, the song is about spiritual awakening but in reverse. The man finds his belief system by rejecting religion. The best example of BR looking at things from different angles. I mean LOOKING IN at things.
walder Henchman Location: Moscow Status: Offline Posts: 111	Quote To my way of thinking, the song is about spiritual awakening but in reverse. The man finds his belief system by rejecting religion. The best example of BR looking at things from different angles. I mean LOOKING IN at things. 06/18/2022 at 13:17 To my way of thinking, the song is about spiritual awakening but in reverse. The man finds his belief system by rejecting religion. The best example of BR looking at things from different angles. I mean LOOKING IN at things.
DCisME Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote Upon reflection and self realization man realizes that he does not need the strength in numbers to maintain a spiritual existence and such pursuits will leave you filled with regret 01/26/2016 at 18:57 Upon reflection and self realization man realizes that he does not need the strength in numbers to maintain a spiritual existence and such pursuits will leave you filled with regret
Anesthesia Mona Lisa Incomplete Location: Oregon Status: Offline Posts: 8	Quote [quote=Guests]A guy (a priest or something like that, I presume?) realizes that he doesn't really believe in his religion, and says so to the congregation at church. Basically.[/quote] I agree. And the congregation basically disowned him afterwards: "I'm inclined to isolate." Funny, I've been singing the lyrics wrong. I thought he was saying "The wild praying gave him wicked inspiration." I was envisioning a preacher at one of those hard core churches ("HEAL ME, Lord!") where they all scream and speak in tongues and such. 06/23/2012 at 11:52 Guests wrote: A guy (a priest or something like that, I presume?) realizes that he doesn't really believe in his religion, and says so to the congregation at church. Basically. I agree. And the congregation basically disowned him afterwards: "I'm inclined to isolate." Funny, I've been singing the lyrics wrong. I thought he was saying "The wild praying gave him wicked inspiration." I was envisioning a preacher at one of those hard core churches ("HEAL ME, Lord!") where they all scream and speak in tongues and such.
JFer47 Hippy Killer Location: Canada Status: Offline Posts: 102	Quote Brett mentioned once that this song is about the effects of isolation on a person. It sounds like a good honest priest who has devoted his life to his faith starts to realize he doesn't really believe, or at least not as he should. He's a good person through and through, but just began losing his faith. He sees the fakeness in the people within his church (So soon we all forget we ever met). Being a priest he feels like people just don't know/care who he is. The bridge seems like him questioning God'; "Do you know my name?" as he feels like an estranged man. 03/17/2009 at 08:56 Brett mentioned once that this song is about the effects of isolation on a person. It sounds like a good honest priest who has devoted his life to his faith starts to realize he doesn't really believe, or at least not as he should. He's a good person through and through, but just began losing his faith. He sees the fakeness in the people within his church (So soon we all forget we ever met). Being a priest he feels like people just don't know/care who he is. The bridge seems like him questioning God'; "Do you know my name?" as he feels like an estranged man.
AliceCullen Incomplete Location: Oregan Status: Offline Posts: 0	Quote I think that this song is about a man who went through some tough things and figures out that maybe God doesn't exist BUT he wants to have faith yet he can't find it. 03/14/2009 at 11:19 I think that this song is about a man who went through some tough things and figures out that maybe God doesn't exist BUT he wants to have faith yet he can't find it.
ahardy55 Lost Pilgrim Location: United States Status: Offline Posts: 12	Quote Brett said on the "Making of the Acoustic EP" feature on the new edition of NMOH that the song was about family, about being blood related but separate from them. 03/12/2009 at 18:02 Brett said on the "Making of the Acoustic EP" feature on the new edition of NMOH that the song was about family, about being blood related but separate from them.
bla556 The Devil In Stitches Location: Duisburg, GER Status: Offline Posts: 381	Quote I agree with the first, but I always wonder what the bridge is meant to say? To me it sounds as if the person gets killed for his non-belief. 03/05/2009 at 14:53 I agree with the first, but I always wonder what the bridge is meant to say? To me it sounds as if the person gets killed for his non-belief.
entropyfan Incomplete Location: Arkansas Status: Offline Posts: 0	Quote I think this is a euphemistic portrayal of a church shooting. The perpetrator obviously has his own dogma, but is perhaps more to the right than that of the progressive congregation. 03/04/2009 at 02:49 I think this is a euphemistic portrayal of a church shooting. The perpetrator obviously has his own dogma, but is perhaps more to the right than that of the progressive congregation.
Unknown Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote A guy (a priest or something like that, I presume?) realizes that he doesn't really believe in his religion, and says so to the congregation at church. Basically. 12/19/2007 at 18:45 A guy (a priest or something like that, I presume?) realizes that he doesn't really believe in his religion, and says so to the congregation at church. Basically.