Sunday, July 26, 2009

Moment of Surrender

I have had my tickets for a couple of months now for a U2 concert at the end of September and I can't wait for the show. Here is a video of U2 performing "Moment of Surrender" in Amsterdam on July 20th.



You can see Bono on his knees reciting Bible verses, including Isaiah 40 and singing the refrain from "40" at the end: "How Long?" Many people read various meanings into the lyrics. Some funny, "This song is clearly about winning a bronze medal in the shotput in the 1984 Summer Olympics," and some spot on. This song definitely is paired with "Unknown Caller", my favoite song on the "No Line on the Horizon."

"Moment of Surrender"

I tied myself with wire
To let the horses run free
Playing with the fire until the fire played with me
The stone was semi-precious
We were barely conscious
Two souls too smart to be in the realm of certainty
Even on our wedding day

We set ourselves on fire
Oh God, do not deny her
It's not if I believe in love
But if love believes in me
Oh, believe in me

At the moment of surrender
I folded to my knees
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me

I've been in every black hole
At the altar of the dark star
My body's now a begging bowl
That's begging to get back, begging to get back
To my heart
To the rhythm of my soul
To the rhythm of my unconsciousness
To the rhythm that yearns
To be released form control

I was punching in the numbers at the ATM machine
I could see in the reflection
A face staring back at me
At the moment of surrender
Of vision over visibility
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me

I was speeding on the subway
Through the stations of the cross
Every eye looking every other way
Counting down 'til the pain would stop

At the moment of surrender
Of vision over visibility
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me