Ghost Ship - Theocracy

Hello. I'm Jen. I've been a fly on the wall of these pages for months. Thought it time I joined in the fun.

I've been listening to Theocracy lately, paying attention to the lyrics. The lyrics to their song Ghost Ship have me a bit stumped. I'd love y'all's take on the meaning of these lyrics. The way it starts out, I'm thinking Revelation, but then I get lost. "Ancient workmanship before ordained?" Huh?? 

Messenger of ages
Carried on the wings of second birth
Unto the silent secrets of the earth
Justice generation
Anthem for the sense of purpose we lost
We rise above and count the cost
We are the ones the others left behind
Breath of life from the four winds
Watch these bones of death now march again

Pay the piper
Here we go
Got a ticket for a one-way journey
Slay the viper
Come follow, even if you’re ordinary
There’s a place for you here
Raise the anchor
All aboard as the Captain calls His misfits
This Ghost Ship
Sets off to shake the world
Let’s go!

Cast off for the journey
Join us as we sail the open seas
Unto the great adventure—follow Me
All the world’s unwanted
Come aboard and leave your darkness behind
Desperate to count, redeem the time
We are the ghosts awakened to the light
Forged and branded in His name
Ancient workmanship before ordained
Then back to the chorus.      {these emoticons are so cute}      {this guy looks like he's about to sneeze}     {and this one looks like he's got something stuck in his teeth}


J

Perhaps it is referring to how the Bible states that Jesus was "crucified before the foundations of the world".  Salvation was being brought in God's plan before mankind was ever created.  Thus, those who are saved would be an ancient workmanship of the Lord's before we were ever ordained (called to be His).

That's my take on it, anyway.

Welcome aboard. Jen5!

Great Jen5 that you 've made the step to join us.
We hop you like it here on CHM.

I don't really listen to Theocracy but one read through makes me think it's about the Holy Spirit aka the Holy Ghost. You know, Ghost Ship... here's why based on some of the lyrics.

Messenger of ages - he was part of the Trinity since the beginning of time
Carried on the wings of second birth - poured out on the world after the second birth of man, Jesus


Breath of life from the four winds - both testaments refer to God's Spirit as a wind
Watch these bones of death now march again - go read Ezekiel 37

Come follow, even if you’re ordinary - the faith is for all who receive


All aboard as the Captain calls His misfits - Jesus loves all sinners

Unto the great adventure—follow Me - the capital M indicates this is God/Jesus talking


Forged and branded in His name - who's name?

ishmael81 wrote:

Forged and branded in His name - who's name?

The capital "H" implies God or Jesus.

ishmael81 wrote:

Forged and branded in His name - who's name?

Mr. Grammar Nazi, you disappoint me!

kerrick wrote:

ishmael81 wrote:

Forged and branded in His name - who's name?

Mr. Grammar Nazi, you disappoint me!

Well, for some reason, I meant to answer myself with "Jesus." but didn't... likely because I'm at work and got distracted by... well, work...

I was referring to "whose" instead of "who's." 

kerrick wrote:

I was referring to "whose" instead of "who's." 

I didn't even catch that.... dang.

Glad to have you here Jen!  

Thank you all so much for the welcome. Now I'm feeling all at home here.

Thanks also for sharing your interpretations. Those are some mighty heavy lyrics. Alldat, I think you're right: "those who are saved would be an ancient workmanship of the Lord's before we were ever ordained (called to be His)." I think what got me with that lyric line was the lack of a "we" so I didn't get who was ordained.

Ezekiel 37. Thanks Ishmael81. Funny I didn't think of that since my minister was preaching to that not too long ago. You've all been a great help. Thanks.

What got me interested in these lyrics was a search for lyrics that have deep meaning...and the search continues...

Indeed, welcome. Theocracy is one of my top bands partially because of Matt's lyrics.

I am in the minority around here when it comes to Theocracy.  I just don't get all the hype.  They are talented musicians for sure, but I just can't get into them.  I've owned a couple of their albums and their music just didn't connect with me.

They don't do much for me either.  Definitely talented!

Xid wrote:

They don't do much for me either.  Definitely talented!

And you'd know talent that's for sure. Fan. I am. Your Sky is Falling...love that ("chicken little here's a message for you" -- great line). And the bass lines in It is Finished and Four Horsemen get me right in the guts. Love that.

Thank you!

Quote :

I think what got me with that lyric line was the lack of a "we" so I didn't get who was ordained.

Matt may have had to cut a syllable or word in this case to make the line fit.  There are times where I have written songs that seem to have the right flow on paper, but are too busy when you sing them.  You try alternative words, cut words if you can, and even re-write lyrics to get a line to fit musically so it is easier to sing.  For a lyricist, the writing of the song is never really completed until all your vocal parts are complete in the studio.  THEN, it is finished.

alldatndensum wrote:

Quote :

...For a lyricist, the writing of the song is never really completed until all your vocal parts are complete in the studio.  THEN, it is finished.

I hear ya. I'm a writer too so I get that. I've worked with non-musician lyricists before who were adamant that their lyrics shouldn't be changed. They end up sabotaging themselves because the singer can't get the best sound for the song. I agree totally. The lyrics are definitely a work in progress until the vocal track is laid down.

And you do get the "we" a couple of lines up.

Welcome Jen!  I hope you don't regret dipping your toe in these waters.

messiaen77 wrote:

And you do get the "we" a couple of lines up.

Welcome Jen!  I hope you don't regret dipping your toe in these waters.

Regret? Not at all. My toes are quite happy here. Thank you for the lovely welcome.

If you don't enjoy prog metal, long songs, time signature changes, then you won't "get it", no mystery here. If you do, you most certainly will, this is a great band!

Candlemass wrote:

If you don't enjoy prog metal, long songs, time signature changes, then you won't "get it", no mystery here. If you do, you most certainly will, this is a great band!

Love prog metal. Write it. Sing it. Yup. Love it.
Though I still think an album that's over an hour is too long. But that's just me and my short attention span.  

I never managed to get into Theocracy myself. I guess it's the power metal influence.

I'm not a huge fan of Power Metal (or Prog metal), but I actually enjoy most of Theocracy's music.