Nah, I take it pretty straightforwardly. There's probably a ton of irony in it -there usually is- but I think it's one of the most heartfelt things on the album.
I really don't back what I said about the etymology; I mean, I do, but I doubt that's the magic key to the whole thing.
There's a lot of uncertainty around "I always wanted to be a Catholic." It could mean a ton of stuff: the reasons cited in the song (a mix of day-to-day certainty and a certain level of awe), or having a certain stateliness and cultural cachet. Of course, the condition of Catholicism is often linked with a certain level of emotional anguish and childhood angst and the adult inability to let go of self-hatred; perhaps that there's something about that as well, wanting one's troubles to be officially recognized as part of a theme or trope. I assume "being Catholic" has personal symbolism which may be a permanent mystery, related or unrelated to all I've said.
I would assume that both the Irish and Italian boys are of Catholic origins, even if they aren't the specific people who we'd assume they are, simply because she cites national backgrounds which are overwhelmingly associated with Catholicism. No idea what connection they have to the opening of the song, though.
I have often wondered about "mosaic mouth." "Mosaic" is, of course, art made of many shattered pieces, but it can also refer to "Mosaic law," the laws set down by Moses in the Old Testament. (I just looked it up and, yes, that includes the Ten Commandments.) More generally, anything related to Moses, so: Biblical patriarchy, miracles, stammering...um...snakes...adoption...but I, no, don't think it's wise to take this interesting free-associative chain all the way to the point of detailed Biblical biography. I try to tread carefully when talking about what songs mean to me, and what the word-connections mean, for fear of starting to treat the whole thing as a jigsaw to solve.
Likewise, "meetings in basements and abandoned schools" and "windowless, sound-baffled, beige, barren rooms" (a beautiful phrase when said so quickly). Have a feeling that Protestants meeting thus is something local or autobiographical; I'll never even have a theory about that, same as, honestly, I'm still totally perplexed by Morrissey's film references in "You Have Killed Me."
I think there is something very romantic in the whole ancient Catholicism, priesthood, the vow of celibacy, solemnities, clothing - in contrast to rather garish (eek, sorry protestants) let it all hang out, AMEN, emotive, sometimes fanatical, while still being markedly passionate in it's own right. Catholicism has a guilt-core and a harsh finality if rejected. The birthplace, the architecture, stained glass, in my opinion, it is some of the highest and awesome beauty imaginable. Shattered stained glass, some could look at as ruined, can be turned into a new beauty: an artistic mosaic if you piece it back together.
This song could be simply comparing the contrasts between the two religions, one of which is autobiographical. At the core of the both, sadly, is both love and guilt.
Ying and Yang? Beauty and Filth. Domine Fimus.
I believe perhaps the attraction comes from the fact that Catholocism is very traditional without being TOO demanding. Being a protestant, however is restrictive... and not that flashy.
I think it's kind of equating Catholocism with the mainstream (in awe) whereas Protestant is the antithesis (meetings in basements and abandoned schools); and shows Catholocism in a light of something much more owerful than Protestant... placing grace upon my tongue.
I think my point got lost, but I'm incredibly tired. There's my two cents.
ky---as a Protestant, most people I know have actually LEFT Catholicism due to its impersonal worship style (as compared to more historical Protestant styles of worship and plain bible reading) among other issues. I'm assuming someone might desire to be a Catholic for some of the reasons mentioned in KY's song---mainly the feeling of being isolated in a smaller, plain-looking building as compared to a beautiful church building (?).
I was raised Catholic but left in my late teens after doing something my priests never suggested I do---READ the bible! No offense to anyone, but I saw two completely different religions after a few years of studying it for myself.
I think Px explains it... and Nick, you are absolutely right... and I didn't mean it to sound as if I were comparing beauty and filth as if one were beautiful and one were filthy. NOT what I meant. SORRY. I added that last part in as an afterthought as I was thinking about Domine Fimus. The beauty of the Latin in contrast with what the phrase actually means. Goddess of Shit.
I just think that the cathedrals, robes, etc, can leave a child in awe of it. Or someone that doesn't come from that background can look at it with curiosity (and with ignorance and naivete) and wonder what it would be like to be Catholic.
But Catholicism does have a coldness to it. It is the ice queen of churches. Kind of like, Look at me, But Don't Touch me.
You are 100% correct. I was raised in that ice fortress!!
Half of my family are super Catholic, but they seemed ok. I remember they drank a lot of beer.
Just joined this forum :)
...yea my friend Jorge filmed it all and I took pictures... That day was so perfect. We saw Morrissey for the first time in Chicago and we thought that was the best day of our short dull lives but this one really topped it! ...She is honestly (...not just some fan talk :) THE nicest, kindest, most sincere person I've ever met;...that's the truth. Can't wait to see her next tour...
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