The Burning of the Temple, 2012 Songtext

von Cass McCombs

“Hey now, brother – where you headed so slow?”
“Hey now, sister – I'm going to burn down the Temple”

Tagged above the gateway:
“Know Thyself”, scripture for yesterday

Somebody's mother chilling in an urn
Placed on an altar that too was built to burn
And a dream of grief, clarity and loss
While we're bearing then burning our cross

Ages to ashes, dusk to dust
Churches to chimneys, love to lust
When you're crying in the shadow of love

Is it matter-out-of-place
What secrets vanish for the human race
When you're crying in the shadow of love?

I want to be free… please let me go
Free to go wherever the winds may blow
Free to wander, free to dream or stay
The right to remain silent or the right words to say
Let me go… please, please… let me go
Go back to the flame, the only home you know

Ages to ashes, dusk to dust
Churches to chimneys, love to lust
When you're crying in the shadow of love

Is it matter-out-of-place
What secrets vanish for the human race
When you're crying in the shadow of love?