Spirit Shine

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Details

Written by:	Greg Graffin, Brian Baker
Released in:	1995
BPM:	156

Lyrics

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Shed a tear for the criminal,
Give him something to believe.
Light a fire for the miserable,
Give the darkness some meaning.

Closed wounds harbor pestilence
When you lick them from within,
Charity has a redolence,
Chastity cannot rescind.

Spirit shine, it's a sign
Of a troubled mind. (tortured mind)
Spirit shine all the time
Can render you blind.

You can take it all to heart or throw it all away.
You can call it just a lark or live your life that way.
You can give until you're dry and sucked of all your gleam.
You can fake another cry and compromise your dream.

Spirit shine, it's a sign
Of a tortured mind.
Spirit shine all the time
Can render you blind.

Cling tight to the parable,
Let it dominate your life.
Create a God who's infallible,
Give your leader some respite.

Closed wounds harbor pestilence
When you lick them from within,
Rosy smiles lose their radiance
When you take it on the chin.

Spirit shine, it's a sign
Of a tortured mind.
Spirit shine all the time
Can render you blind.

Versions

Version	Length	Release	Catalog ID	Country	Format	Year
Album version
	2:11	The Gray Race		United States	12"	2022
	2:11	The Gray Race		United States	12"	2022
	2:11	The Gray Race		United States	12"	2022
	2:11	The Gray Race		Europe	12"	2021
	2:11	The Gray Race		United States	12"	2018
	2:11	The Gray Race		Europe	12"	2018
	2:11	The Gray Race		United States	12"	2018
	2:11	The Gray Race		Europe	12"	2013
	2:11	The Gray Race	6996-1	Europe	12"	2013
	2:11	The Gray Race		Europe	12"	2013
	2:11	The Gray Race	6996-1	United States	12"	2010
	2:11	The Gray Race	6996-2	Europe	CD	2008
	2:11	The Gray Race	88697101822	Germany	CD	2007
	2:11	The Gray Race		Japan	CD	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	82870-4	United States	MC	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race		United States	MC	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	DRA 483652 4	Spain	MC	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race		Turkey	MC	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race		Europe	12"	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	82870-1	United States	12"	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	483652 1	Europe	12"	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race		Europe	12"	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race		Canada	CD	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race		Australia	CD	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race		Canada	CD	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	DRA 483652 2	Europe	CD	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	DRA 483652 2	Europe	CD	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	483652-2	Australia	CD	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	82870-2	United States	CD	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	DRA 483652 2	Europe	CD	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	DRA 483652 2	Europe	CD	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	483652 4	Indonesia	MC	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race		Russia	MC	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race		Poland	MC	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race		Europe	MC	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	483652 4	Australia	MC	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	483652-4	Europe	MC	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	n/a	United Kingdom	MC	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	82870-4	United States	MC	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	483652-2	Thailand	MC	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	623	Russia	MC	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race		Russia	CD	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	n/a	Germany	MC	1995
	2:11	The Gray Race	3L4A3 2981063	United States	CD	1995
	2:11	The Gray Race	752.319/2-483652	Brazil	CD	1995
*Not specified*
	2:11	The Gray Race	DRA 483652 9	Germany	CD	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	A2 82870	United States	CD	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	82870-2 \| D 111751	United States	CD	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	82870-2	United States	CD	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	82870-2	United States	CD	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	DRA 483652 9	Germany	CD	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race		United States	MC	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race		Russia	MC	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race		Russia	MC	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	DRASAMP 3144 2	Europe	CD	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race	DRASAMP 3145 2	Europe	CD	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race		Mexico	CD	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race		Poland	CD	1996
	2:11	The Gray Race		Europe	CD	1996

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Comment:

Song interpretations (5)

Anonymous Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote This song is about religion, Spirit shine aka religion is a sign of a tortured mind, it shows your weak if you need to believe in something. "Spirit shine all the time can render you blind" too much religion can make you blind to whats really going on. Its all about the downside of having a religion. 06/30/2005 at 21:52 This song is about religion, Spirit shine aka religion is a sign of a tortured mind, it shows your weak if you need to believe in something. "Spirit shine all the time can render you blind" too much religion can make you blind to whats really going on. Its all about the downside of having a religion.
Nichtsnutz722 Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote Maybe the proper explanation may be a combination of the two above. From what I've seen, Christians can be giving, but for the wrong reason. Giving for the sake of humanity is not the same as giving in response to a command from a god. It may not be true altruism, but an attempt to let one's 'spirit shine.' 07/17/2004 at 02:27 Maybe the proper explanation may be a combination of the two above. From what I've seen, Christians can be giving, but for the wrong reason. Giving for the sake of humanity is not the same as giving in response to a command from a god. It may not be true altruism, but an attempt to let one's 'spirit shine.'
Jwhite_tx Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote My interpretation of Spirit Shine is that those who are so concerned about letting their 'spirit shine' are those who have been taken advantage of by religious leaders. I think it may come from a parable in the bible (hence the line 'cling tight to the parable, let it dominate your life'). Kids in Sunday school are taught from a young age (through song and instruction) to let their 'light' shine. Their parents instill in them this fear of an almighty, moral mythological being on whom they should always depend. These young minds come to feel that they are always being attacked by another cunning and evil being, who is always enticing them to sin (It's a sign of a tortured mind). In the end, it seems that religion 'can render you blind.' Brilliant poetry by Graffin. Anyway, anyone w/ a different thought, let us know. 07/17/2004 at 02:27 My interpretation of Spirit Shine is that those who are so concerned about letting their 'spirit shine' are those who have been taken advantage of by religious leaders. I think it may come from a parable in the bible (hence the line 'cling tight to the parable, let it dominate your life'). Kids in Sunday school are taught from a young age (through song and instruction) to let their 'light' shine. Their parents instill in them this fear of an almighty, moral mythological being on whom they should always depend. These young minds come to feel that they are always being attacked by another cunning and evil being, who is always enticing them to sin (It's a sign of a tortured mind). In the end, it seems that religion 'can render you blind.' Brilliant poetry by Graffin. Anyway, anyone w/ a different thought, let us know.
Bad Aeronuts Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote Spirit Shine is about having some compassion for the ones hurt. You must take change your views on things in order to look things differently and perhaps in a better way. We must try new approaches to things that seem impossible. I think that's pretty much the theme of the song. 07/17/2004 at 02:26 Spirit Shine is about having some compassion for the ones hurt. You must take change your views on things in order to look things differently and perhaps in a better way. We must try new approaches to things that seem impossible. I think that's pretty much the theme of the song.