Antichrist Television Blues Lyrics - The Arcade Fire
Review The Song (6)
I don't wanna work in a building downtown
No I don't wanna work in a building downtown
I don't know what I'm gonna do
Cause the planes keep crashing always two by two
I don't wanna work in a building downtown
No I don't wanna see when the planes hit the ground
I don't wanna work in a building downtown
I don't wanna work in a building downtown
Parking their cars in the underground
Their voices when they scream, well they make no sound
I wanna see the cities rust
And the troublemakers riding on the back of the bus
Dear God, I'm a good Christian man
In your glory, I know you understand
That you gotta work hard and you gotta get paid
My girl's 13 but she don't act her age
She can sing like a bird in a cage
O Lord, if you could see her when she's up on that stage!
You know that I'm a God-fearing man
You know that I'm a God-fearing man
But I just gotta know if it's part of your plan
To seat my daughters there by your right hand
I know that you'll do what's right, Lord
For they are the lanterns and you are the light
Now I'm overcome
By the light of day
My lips are near but my heart is far away
Tell me what to say
I'll be your mouthpiece!
Into the light of a bridge that burns
As I drive from the city with the money that I earned
Into the dark of a starless sky
I'm staring into nothing
and I'm asking you why
Lord, will you make her a star
So the world can see who you really are?
Little girl, you're old enough to understand
That you'll always be a stranger in a strange, strange land
The men are gonna come when you're fast asleep
So you better just stay close and hold onto me
If my little mocking bird don't sing
Then daddy won't buy her no diamond ring
Dear God, would you send me a child?
Oh! God, would you send me a child
Cause I wanna put it up on the TV screen
So the world can see what your true word means
Lord, would you send me a sign
Cause I just gotta know if I'm wasting my time!
Now I'm overcome
By the light of day
My lips are near but my heart is far away
Now the war is won
How come nothing tastes good?
You're such a sensitive child!
Oh! You're such a sensitive child!
I know you're tired but it's alright
I just need you to sing for me tonight
You're gonna have your day in the sun
You know God loves the sensitive ones
Oh! My little bird in a cage!
Oh! My little bird in a cage!
I need you to get up for me, up on that stage
And show the men that you're old for your age
Now ain't the time for fear
But if you don't take it, it'll disappear!
Oh! My little mocking bird sing!
Oh! My little mocking bird sing!
I need you to get up on that stage for me, honey
And show the men it's not about the money
Wanna hold a mirror up to the world
So that they can see themselves inside my little girl!
Do you know where I was at your age?
Any idea where I was at your age?
I was working downtown for the minimum wage
And I'm not gonna let you just throw it all away!
I'm through being cute, I'm through being nice
O tell me, Lord, am I the Antichrist?!
No I don't wanna work in a building downtown
I don't know what I'm gonna do
Cause the planes keep crashing always two by two
I don't wanna work in a building downtown
No I don't wanna see when the planes hit the ground
I don't wanna work in a building downtown
I don't wanna work in a building downtown
Parking their cars in the underground
Their voices when they scream, well they make no sound
I wanna see the cities rust
And the troublemakers riding on the back of the bus
Dear God, I'm a good Christian man
In your glory, I know you understand
That you gotta work hard and you gotta get paid
My girl's 13 but she don't act her age
She can sing like a bird in a cage
O Lord, if you could see her when she's up on that stage!
You know that I'm a God-fearing man
You know that I'm a God-fearing man
But I just gotta know if it's part of your plan
To seat my daughters there by your right hand
I know that you'll do what's right, Lord
For they are the lanterns and you are the light
Now I'm overcome
By the light of day
My lips are near but my heart is far away
Tell me what to say
I'll be your mouthpiece!
Into the light of a bridge that burns
As I drive from the city with the money that I earned
Into the dark of a starless sky
I'm staring into nothing
and I'm asking you why
Lord, will you make her a star
So the world can see who you really are?
Little girl, you're old enough to understand
That you'll always be a stranger in a strange, strange land
The men are gonna come when you're fast asleep
So you better just stay close and hold onto me
If my little mocking bird don't sing
Then daddy won't buy her no diamond ring
Dear God, would you send me a child?
Oh! God, would you send me a child
Cause I wanna put it up on the TV screen
So the world can see what your true word means
Lord, would you send me a sign
Cause I just gotta know if I'm wasting my time!
Now I'm overcome
By the light of day
My lips are near but my heart is far away
Now the war is won
How come nothing tastes good?
You're such a sensitive child!
Oh! You're such a sensitive child!
I know you're tired but it's alright
I just need you to sing for me tonight
You're gonna have your day in the sun
You know God loves the sensitive ones
Oh! My little bird in a cage!
Oh! My little bird in a cage!
I need you to get up for me, up on that stage
And show the men that you're old for your age
Now ain't the time for fear
But if you don't take it, it'll disappear!
Oh! My little mocking bird sing!
Oh! My little mocking bird sing!
I need you to get up on that stage for me, honey
And show the men it's not about the money
Wanna hold a mirror up to the world
So that they can see themselves inside my little girl!
Do you know where I was at your age?
Any idea where I was at your age?
I was working downtown for the minimum wage
And I'm not gonna let you just throw it all away!
I'm through being cute, I'm through being nice
O tell me, Lord, am I the Antichrist?!
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Child Stars | Reviewer: Anonymous | 1/16/11
It was discussed in a few interviews that this song was in fact about child stars and the whole "American Idol" (etc) revolution type thing. The idea of parents as the managers for their talented children, making it look as though they can act more as protectors than "managers" and the illusion that it is a selfless act and in the best interest of the child and their "god given gift" when really, it's not the case at all.It's a really beautiful song with quite frankly very ugly subject matter. Absolutely wonderful! <3
Really interesting song! | Reviewer: Anonymous | 12/16/10
I'm not certain it is about either prostitution or child stars. I think it's about leaving your mark on the world. We try so hard to find a sort of permanence in the world, and are only able to leave behind our legacy, which for most is very little. We want to be eternal, but cannot be. This human is trapped in a "building downtown" and would rather outlive the buildings, in seeing the cities rust. We gather on earth so that when we pass on to a different existence (New creation for Christians). we have memories for the world to experience. This is why the man is so set on his child, who may not even exist (God send me a child) to become so famous that her fame gains her access to the Lord's right hand. He is searching for eternity in terms of worldly gain rather than eternity in Christ. The song continues with this theme of success and ends with the question, "Am I the AntiChrist?" This is not to say anti-Christ in the horn-wearing, pitchfork wielding, Satanic sense, but rather; as a God-fearing man, am I living against God's beloved son? Am I anti what Christ is, what he stands for?
Favorite. | Reviewer: Anonymous | 10/10/10
Not about prostitution at all...think child stars. This father wants to live vicariously through his daughter. He had to work hard his whole life ("any idea where I was at your age") and wants his daughter's life (aka his life) to be easier, and thinks that making his daughter a child star will do this...although he is clearly confused as to whether or not it is morally correct. Think Lindsey Lohan, and what her parent's risked by pushing her to be a star. It's a really interesting mind to look into, and shows a struggle most ignore.
Awesome. | Reviewer: Ezekiel | 9/24/10
I actually think it's about a guy that prostitutes his daughter because they are too poor("Oh! My little bird in a cage! I need you to get up for me, up on that stage and show the men that you're old for your age). However he starts to feel guilty and is asking God to understand why he does it(Dear God, I'm a good Christian man In your glory, I know you understand that you gotta work hard and you gotta get paid). It's a fucking amazing song.
WOW WOW WOW | Reviewer: Anonymous | 9/3/10
First time listening to this song and I am more than amazed... I am in awe. WOW
Okay, so, In my interpretation it's about this dude that's given to god, believes in god but doesn't have any prove of his existence, has a blind faith, like many do. His daughter lives in an age where kids aren't kids anymore, they are presented to a world that's being built to raw. I think it's the explanation of how an atheist is born, no proof of god, at least the god that's preached in bibles. It's everything that's preached in the bible that's got so much people wondering when god will come and has them so confused.
Oh My god, such an amazing composition... wow. =_=
great song... | Reviewer: Anonymous | 7/4/07
this is a pretty powerful and dark song. it gives me chills everytime i hear it. it deals with some pretty heavyhanded themes that really shake me up.
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