Seven Swans
Seven Swans is a folk rock music album by Sufjan Stevens. It includes songs about Christian spiritual themes and figures such as Abraham and Christ's Transfiguration.[1] The album is softer and sparser than other albums by Stevens, relying more heavily on his trademark banjo and "hushed vocals."[2] The album was released on Compact Disc and vinyl LP; the vinyl was released by Burnt Toast Vinyl.
Critical reception
Seven Swans was received well by critics. [7] The Guardian called it "a record of remarkable delicacy"[8] and Spin magazine said it sounded "like Elliott Smith after ten years of Sunday school".
Thematic elements
Many of the songs on Seven Swans tell stories directly from the Bible:
- "All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands" is a reference to Isaiah 55:12, where Isaiah says, "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."
- "In the Devil's Territory" is probably a reference to Matthew 4:1, where Jesus spends forty days and forty nights fasting in the desert in order to face the temptation of the devil. The first line of the song references Psalm 46 and possibly the Beach Boys' song 'Be Still'.
- "To Be Alone with You" discusses Christ's atonement and how it has made him intimately connected with humanity ("You gave your body to the lonely, they took your clothes. You gave up a wife and a family, you gave your ghost; to be alone with me...to be alone with me you went up on a tree.") The beginning could also be a lament of Judas Iscariot; "I'd give my body to be back again, in the rest of the room [upper chamber where the Last Supper was held]," or Sufjan himself lamenting past sins, comparing himself to Judas.
- "Abraham" references Genesis 22:1-19, wherein Abraham is tested by God and told to sacrifice his only son Isaac. Abraham is, at the last moment and with knife in hand, stopped by an angel and instead sacrifices a ram to God.
- "We Won't Need Legs To Stand" is most likely speaking of the new, perfect bodies to be received upon entering Heaven. ("When we are dead, and we all have wings, we won't need legs to stand.")
- "He Woke Me Up Again" may reference 1 Samuel 3, in which God keeps calling Samuel from his sleep.
- "Seven Swans" references the Book of Revelation, though cloaked as a strange personal account. Though there are not seven swans in the Book of Revelation, there are seven angels (Revelations 8:2), and there is certainly a mention of seven horns, either the seven trumpets of the angels (Revelation 8:2) or the seven horns of the Lamb of God (Revelation 5:6). There is also Revelation 19:17: "...to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God". The fire in the yard may refer to the "hail and fire mixed with blood" cast upon the earth (Revelation 8:7). Also mentioned is a dragon (Satan) who tries to attack a woman who flees (Revelation 12:3-6)
- "The Transfiguration" references the transfiguration of Jesus witnessed by the disciples Peter, James, and John found in Mark 9:2-8. The song tells this story in a straightforward manner.
In addition, the songs explore other spiritual elements:
- "In the Devil's Territory" alludes to the George Harrison of Beatles song Long, Long, Long—a song about finding God.
- "A Good Man Is Hard to Find" is based on Flannery O'Connor's short story of the same title. It is told from the viewpoint of the Misfit.
- The title of the album, the cover art, and the last two songs seem to contain an allusion to the folk story of the Seven Swans, in which seven brothers are turned to swans until their sister returns them to their human form.
Track listing
All songs written by Sufjan Stevens
- "All the Trees of the Field Will Clap Their Hands" – 4:14
- "The Dress Looks Nice on You" – 2:32
- "In the Devil's Territory" – 4:57
- "To Be Alone with You" – 2:44
- "Abraham" – 2:33
- "Sister" – 6:00
- "Size Too Small" – 3:04
- "We Won't Need Legs to Stand" – 2:12
- "A Good Man Is Hard to Find" – 3:16
- "He Woke Me Up Again" – 2:43
- "Seven Swans" – 6:33
- "The Transfiguration" – 5:18
- Bonus 7"
- "I Went Dancing with My Sister"
- "Waste of What Your Kids Won't Have"
Personnel
"The Dress Looks Nice on You"
A 7" limited edition single of "The Dress Looks Nice on You" was released by Rough Trade in support of the album on March 8, 2004. The single features the song "Borderline" as a B-side.
- "The Dress Looks Nice on You" – 2:32
- "Borderline" – 3:25
References
External links
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