The kind that breaks under, all day at once
For me, for you
I'm just too young
And what of my heart?
Oh, the grace of lust, can't wait at all
Temptations won
And what ever comes through the door
Seen the (it?) face to face
All like your place
And call your son
Sign me up, Santa Fe
On the cross, Santa Fe
You know I won't
Sign me up, Santa Fe
And call your son
I want you to know
And I am not, am not, alone
Want you to know
The lead/writer is originally from Santa Fe, NM. A large cross overlooks downtown, the Cross of the Martyrs (which may be part of what he is referring to with "on the cross"). the song may be about both being called home and more complex levels involving some kind of faith (the literal translation of Santa Fe is "Holy Faith") and/or martyrdom. Those of us who live here intuitively kinda get it, but it's hard to explain.
These are all very insightful, but I find it unfortunate that no one has seemed to notice, or at least has failed to mention, how directly the chorus seems to refer to an embracing of the Catholic faith, however dual the meaning may be with this citywide pride so many of you are trumpeting. While I agree that it is obvious he is referring to the locale of Sante Fe and that the cross reference also seems to point to the Martyrs Cross, it is also apparent, at least to me, that he is also making, tongue-in-cheek as it may be, a reference to Catholicsim. "Santa Fe" can refer to the Virgin Mary, as she is seen as an embodiment of the Holy faith, and "Call your son on the cross" is just very obvious to me. Mary is said to be the link, the way to reach Jesus. I could be very wrong, but I've thought that ever since I heard the song. I'm not a catholic or even a Christian either, btw
wonderful :)
Beirut is amazing beyond words.
oh my god, I love this song so much man. It should have way more comments. As for the meaning, I'm pretty sure lessthanyouthink nailed it.
Zachary Francis Condon, the lead singer/songwriter of Beirut spent much of his late teens traveling around Europe, where he picked up a lot of musical influences which he brought back to his hometown Santa Fe. The first two Beirut albums were influenced by world music, such as French and Balkan styles, but on the third, Rip Tide, these are far less evident. Beirut still sounds like Beirut, but like the core of their music that was there all along under all the frills.
I think the song 'Santa Fe' is autobiographical and about a homecoming of sorts. Zachary spent a lot of his younger days traveling the world and finding exotic sounds to bring back to his small hometown. 'Santa Fe' is about coming back to what was there all along. The song expresses yearning, 'temptation, just too young, all days at once', the passage of time with constant reference to days, and acceptance that all he wants is where he started from 'And all I want, sign me up Santa Fe'
I think this is about the leap to faith. Santa Fe means holy faith.
fell inlove with this song the 1st time i heard it...love it! :D
Great song. I believe the singer is from Santa Fe...assuming he's signing up to go back home, but who knows. Regardless, beautiful song
i think that the line is "of grace of lust" instead of "all grace of lost" it just makes more sense to me.