Wiki
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Length
3:03
"Everlasting Arms” is a riff on the hymn “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.”, which is covered by artists from multiple genres. On Grantland, Steven Hyden pointed out the inclusion of “Dies Irae,” which – quelle surprise! – is about the Day of Judgment! (R. Kelly also calls out to “everlasting arms” on “I Believe I Can Fly.”) Translation of “Dies Irae” below:
The day of wrath, that day
Will dissolve the world in ashes
As foretold by David and the Sibyl!
Oh, what fear man’s bosom rendeth,
When from heaven the Judge descendeth,
On whose sentence all dependeth.
How much tremor there will be,
when the Judge will come,
investigating everything strictly!
Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth;
Through earth’s sepulchres it ringeth;
All before the throne it bringeth.
The trumpet, scattering a wondrous sound
through the sepulchres of the regions,
will summon all before the Throne.
Death is struck, and nature quaking,
All creation is awaking,
To its Judge an answer making.
Death and nature will marvel,
when the creature arises,
to respond to the Judge.
Lo! the book, exactly worded,
Wherein all hath been recorded:
Thence shall judgement be awarded.
The written book will be brought forth,
in which all is contained,
from which the world shall be judged.
This entire song could also be about Buddhism vs Catholicism / Christianity. The lyric “You be frightened by the open hand, frightened by the hand” is in reference to the Buddha “ABHAYA — No Fear” mudra. Furthermore “trapped beneath the chandelier” is referencing the ornate chandeliers often found in churches. Especially if you look at California English Pt 2
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