Antsmarching.org's supposed meaning of The Stone

[myonlybliss]

I heard from somewhere that it was one of dave's julia grey songs. and that it is actually a sort of apology for writing Halloween.

but this Jesus/Judas thing sounds really cool...

Julia Grey? Isn't that Dave's ex? Was Grey Street about her maybe?

[Ranting Thespian]

Grey Street isn't about Julia Grey (who is the subject of IBYU and Halloween and others). I never found out quite what that song was about, so someone please post it here.

Also, Anne's murderer was her husband. He barely talks about Anne, I am sure it's too hurtful for him to sing through her husband's eyes.

[DJR]

It's about Judas and Jesus.

It is if you like my take on the matter. =) Of course, it can really be interpretted as any act of betrayal, I suppose, but this is the big one. Here's my interprettation as it was posted on nancies- damn! Over a year ago already. I remember posting that like it was a couple months ago. I hope you enjoy.

The Betrayal
by littlefriend420 on 7:59 PM 06-18-03
So after reading this thread I gave the song a couple of good listens and read the lyrics over a few times.

I feel that it's much more about Judas' betrayal of Christ than Peter's denial of him, and could even be Judas talking to Christ about the impending events and possible avenues of escape. Observe:

I've this creeping suspicion that things here are not as they seem.
Reassure me. Whay do I feel as if I'm in to deep?
Here Judas is questioning his actions, seeking reassurance from the pharisees and priests that he's doing the right thing. He clearly feels that he has made a mistake of biblical proportions and is beginning to see the magnitude of his actions.

Now I've been praying for some way to show them I'm not what they see.
Yes, I have done wrong,but what I did I thought needed be done; I swear.
Here Judas begs for people to understand that he had good intentions. He was afraid of how big the Christian movement was getting and the persecution of their followers and the punishment that could be doled out on all of them for their heresy. He perhaps hadn't fully contemplated the severity of Christ's own punishment as the leader of this heretical movement.

Oh unholy day! If I leave now I might get away.
Oh, but this weighs on me as heavy as stone and as blue as I go.
Clearly Judas is contemplating just fleeing the whole scene, and is overwhelmed with guilt.

I was just wondering if you'd come along. Hold up my head when my head won't hold on.
I'll do the same if the same's what you want, but if not I'll go; I will go alone.
I'm a long way from that fool's mistake and now forever pay. No, run I will run and I'll be okay.
Now Judas is trying to convince Christ to flee to safety with him, and support, love and forgive him as he's always done. Jesus, knowing his own destiny, declines and tells Judas to carry on the path, and Judas reluctantly agrees, admitting his mistake and realizing that there is no turning back now. He toys with the idea facing up to his action, but ultimatly chooses to run from it.

Long way; Bury the past for I don't want to pay.
Oh, how I wish this: to turn back the clock and do over again.
This is pretty straighforward. He just wants to forget his misdeeds, to go back and not betray Christ.

I need so to stay in your arms, see you smile, hold you close.
And now it weighs on me as heavy as stone and a bone chilling cold.
Judas is again pleaing with Christ to flee and telling his friend how much he needs and loves him. He is more and more overwhelmed with the guilt of his actions. The bone chilling cold could be the contemplation of his own suicide, or the simple realization that Christ is going to be martyred.

I was just wondering if you'd come along. Tell me you will.
One last plea to Christ to flee with him.

So that's what I get when I listen to The Stone. I can honestly say that I never really listened to this song until I read this thread, but that's what I see when I do listen. I am also not a religious person at all, so that I would get a religious interpretation out of it speaks pretty clearly to me about the content. Heavy as stone, indeed.

thats really good man - i'd never thought about it that way before, and i don't think we'll ever really know if that IS what its about, but thats a damn good way of looking at the Stone well done

[whip3512]

Grey Street isn't about Julia Grey (who is the subject of IBYU and Halloween and others). I never found out quite what that song was about, so someone please post it here.

Also, Anne's murderer was her husband. He barely talks about Anne, I am sure it's too hurtful for him to sing through her husband's eyes.

yeah, i'm aware of this. like i said, i didn't really think of the song that way. but it certainly puts an interresting spin on it.

[riffduster01]

I thought Dave's sister and her husband were murdered during civil rights movements in africa or something.

thats what they say on "VH1 Driven, Dave Matthews"

[Ranting Thespian]

but it certainly puts an interresting spin on it.

yeah, you do have a point there.


Riffduster01: I don't know when or why (but being in South Africa, that could have been the situtation), but I do know he killed her (then I believe killed himself). Dave doesn't seem to talk about it much probably because it just hurts so much to talk about it.

[whip3512]

but it certainly puts an interresting spin on it.

yeah, you do have a point there.


Riffduster01: I don't know when or why (but being in South Africa, that could have been the situtation), but I do know he killed her (then I believe killed himself). Dave doesn't seem to talk about it much probably because it just hurts so much to talk about it.

Yeah, I remember watching the Charlie Rose with DMB from a few years back, and Rose brought it up. Dave didn't seem like he wanted to talk much about it (of course who would).

[i like tictacs]

I think....


we need to stop analyzing his songs and more importantly...family life...and just enjoy the music.

[whip3512]

I think....


we need to stop analyzing his songs and more importantly...family life...and just enjoy the music.

very good call sir. don't worry, i don't make this stuff up! sometimes it is kinda interesting to try and figure osme of it out though.

[i like tictacs]

Yeah...but I think going into his family is too far. But I do think we as a whole, i'm not singling you out...are over analyzing it. He's not a fucking visionary, he writes songs that relate to him. I think just because it's dave matthews and he's had a rough life doesn't mean we should think that every song he writes is the deepest meaning biblical stuff or the psychology behind a madman. The songs he does write about that stuff on, are painfully obvious. Christmas Song, Hello again...etc.

[Thomas]

Grey Street isn't about Julia Grey (who is the subject of IBYU and Halloween and others). I never found out quite what that song was about, so someone please post it here.

Also, Anne's murderer was her husband. He barely talks about Anne, I am sure it's too hurtful for him to sing through her husband's eyes.

how do you know that Grey Street isn't about julia grey?

[whip3512]

You know, I was wondering, what does this have to do with Dave's guitar?

[onid41]

You know, I was wondering, what does this have to do with Dave's guitar?

just realized that too..MOVE

[Ranting Thespian]

I asked for someone to post the story on here about the true meaning of Grey Street. Someone please?

[i like tictacs]

It's about his mother.