I'm still surprised after so many years how many don't catch the significant biblical allusions in this song, beginning in the second line with the thorn twist, later with the storm metaphor, and perhaps most significantly with the repetitive, awe- and wonder-filled observation, "and you give yourself away." Notice, too, the opposition in this song -- "sleight of hand and twist of fate," arguably a bit grandiose if the "you" is only another human being. I have no doubt that Ali is in Bono's mind here, but there's another level here as well (as in the vast majority of U2 songs). Adam Clayton said way back in '87 that not only did he never expect this song to be a hit single, he didn't think it would ever be played outside of churches. Even allowing for hyperbole, his point remains . . .
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I'm still surprised after so many years how many don't catch the significant biblical allusions in this song, beginning in the second line with the thorn twist, later with the storm metaphor, and perhaps most significantly with the repetitive, awe- and wonder-filled observation, "and you give yourself away." Notice, too, the opposition in this song -- "sleight of hand and twist of fate," arguably a bit grandiose if the "you" is only another human being. I have no doubt that Ali is in Bono's mind here, but there's another level here as well (as in the vast majority of U2 songs). Adam Clayton said way back in '87 that not only did he never expect this song to be a hit single, he didn't think it would ever be played outside of churches. Even allowing for hyperbole, his point remains . . .
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