Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
“The Ascension” is the eponymous track from Sufjan Stevens' eighth studio album. In the song, Stevens points out his editorial perspective, which runs through the entire album, to his own naivety, confusion and selfishness in believing that he could change the crumbling world around him by believing...
[Verse 1]
When I am dead and the light leaves my breast
Nothing to be told, nothing to confess
Let the record show what I couldn't quite confess
For by living for myself, I was living for unrest
Then the evidence came back in a chariot of vindication
Something to behold, glorious in its path
But the prophecy fell back as it gave to me an invitation
Show them what is right, show them what is blessed
[Chorus]
But now it strikes me far too late again
That I was asking far too much of everyone around me
And now it strikes me far too late again
That I should answer for myself as the Ascension falls upon me
[Verse 2]
So what should be said of a life that leaves its mess?
For once your life was sold it could never be possessed
You were selfishly as a continent, you were finally at your best
For you favored for yourself when selfishness was blessed
Then Cordelia came back in a chariot hallucination
Something to rejoice, glorious in its wrath
But the prophecy was a pantomime as it came to me in accusation
Show them what is right, show them what is best
[Chorus]
But now it strikes me far too late again
That I was asking far too much of everyone around me
And now it strikes me far too late again
That I should answer for myself as the Ascension falls upon me
[Verse 3]
And now it frightens me, the thought against my chest
To think I was asking for a reason, explaining why everything's a total mess
And now it frightens me, the dreams that I possess
To think I was acting like a believer, when I was just angry and depressed
[Bridge]
And to everything, there is no meaning, a season of pain and hopelessness
I shouldn't have looked for revelation, I should have resigned myself to this
I thought I could change the world around me, I thought I could change the world for best
I thought I was called in convocation, I thought I was sanctified and blessed
[Verse 4]
But now it strengthens me to know the truth at last
That everything comes from consummation, and everything comes with consequence
And I did it all with exultation, while you did it all with hopelessness
Yes, I did it all with adoration, while you killed it off with all of your holy mess
[Outro]
What now? (What now?)
(What now?)
(What now?)
(What now?)
What now? (What now?)
(What now?)
(What now?)
(What now?)
The Ascension was written by Sufjan Stevens.
The Ascension was produced by Sufjan Stevens.
Sufjan Stevens released The Ascension on Fri Sep 25 2020.