Religious dimension in the Boatman's call

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I K-N-O-W the theme is obvious. But Im writing an essay and my head is EMPTY right now....
Which songs do you think are most interesting in terms of a religious dimension on this record - and why?
What role does the use of religious language, symbolism play here? Where is Cave's relation to rock history in using the language of faith in quite unconventional ways? Or would you call it unconventional at all?

And now sb will come and say there's been a thread on this before. But I want to hear your personal views.

― Rush Rhees (Rush Rhees), Tuesday, 27 April 2004 16:58 (twenty-two years ago)

"Into My Arms" is on that right? Which is kind of a song about Cave letting go of his belief in "an interventionist god" but admitting that he still has the desire that motivates such a belief--i.e. the yearning for some higher power that will listen to supplication and make the difficult world a better place to live in. I think his ambivolence is composed of sadness over his powerless position in the situation, disgust at his passivity, lament that their is no Deus ex Machina that will step in and fix things for him, acceptance of the impulse to believe that their is, and resignation over all of these facts combined. I guess that was a little garbled, but maybe helpful...?

― poop (poop), Tuesday, 27 April 2004 22:23 (twenty-two years ago)

I'd like to speak for everybody who finished school before the Interweb became widely accessible in saying:

Fuck Off. Do your own Homework.

― noodle vague (noodle vague), Tuesday, 27 April 2004 22:40 (twenty-two years ago)

Hey, that was cruel. I am not interested in the question just because Im writing an essay about it. I just wonder what people think about how Nick Cave uses religious pictures, that's all. I thought ILM could be a forum for more analytical questions than the usual c/d stuff. But that is perhaps totally dud. No offence.

― Rush Rhees (Rush Rhees), Wednesday, 28 April 2004 11:31 (twenty-two years ago)

I'd rather read about the religious aspects of "No More Shall We Part" - because although God is mentioned more often, it also seems to be anti-religion, or anti-something.. a bit more cynical towards religion. Yet you still get the feeling that Cave is spiritual.

― dave225 (Dave225), Wednesday, 28 April 2004 12:30 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm not quite sure about the cynical part. I mean, if you think about 'God is in the house' it COULD be interpreted as being about religious traditionalism or fundamentalism. But I would agree that there is a different atmosphere om 'No more shall we part' than on 'Boatman's call'.

― Rush Rhees (Rush Rhees), Wednesday, 28 April 2004 12:54 (twenty-two years ago)

This is my least favorite Nick Cave album and I wish he had not made it.

― J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle), Wednesday, 28 April 2004 12:56 (twenty-two years ago)

What record do you refer to, Boatman's call or No more shall we part?

― Rush Rhees (Rush Rhees), Wednesday, 28 April 2004 13:13 (twenty-two years ago)

you should seek out the b-side song, not sure what it's called, but it's from the single to into my arms I think, where Nick sings, "I've already been born once, don't need to be born again" or something similar.

― queen God, Wednesday, 28 April 2004 13:47 (twenty-two years ago)

I'll take No More Shall We Part over TBC any day - the former has "Fifteen Feet of Pure White Snow" & "Oh My Lord" at least - not that I don't think Cave has some great ballads ("Sad Waters" esp.), just that I don't think any of them are on The Boatman's Call.

― J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle), Wednesday, 28 April 2004 14:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Rush, sincere apologies. I was a bit drunk last night and misread the tone of your question.

Sorry for being an arse.

― noodle vague (noodle vague), Wednesday, 28 April 2004 14:48 (twenty-two years ago)

That's ok, noodle.

John's comment about ballads - I think Black hair is one of the most moving songs Nick Cave has ever done. But that's just me.

I'll check the b-side track to Into my arms.

― Rush Rhees (Rush Rhees), Thursday, 29 April 2004 11:51 (twenty-two years ago)

three years pass...

This is my least favorite Nick Cave album and I wish he had not made it.
-- J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle), Wednesday, April 28, 2004 7:56 AM (3 years ago) Bookmark Link

OMG!
but, it's my *favorite* cave album...

;___;

― stephen, Sunday, 21 October 2007 03:09 (eighteen years ago)

So - what grade do we think Rush Rees got on his essay?

― need to know basis, Sunday, 21 October 2007 04:56 (eighteen years ago)

Here's my essay:

Nick Cave is a cunt.

― King Boy Pato, Sunday, 21 October 2007 05:03 (eighteen years ago)

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