Iluvatar "Exodus" Question

[Vermillion]

This is a fantastic song, which I discovered only because of Aural Moon. Does anyone out there know what it's about? Or could anyone who has a connection to the band find out? Are the lyrics available anywhere? Many thanks in advance.

[Rick and Roll]

Originally Posted by Vermillion

This is a fantastic song, which I discovered only because of Aural Moon. Does anyone out there know what it's about? Or could anyone who has a connection to the band find out? Are the lyrics available anywhere? Many thanks in advance.

I'll forward this to Dennis Mullin (g) and Jim Rezek (k). I see Jim once in a while.

Rick


email sent...Dennis is a member of the forums, and he may reply here. The lyrics are on the CD. I'm bad with lyrics but I know it's something about rain!

[Vermillion]

Thank you! I appreciate it.

[DMullin]

Hi Vermillion,

Thanks for your comments about Exodus! The lyrics are available on our website at www.iluvatar.com. Click Info, then Lyrics. Exodus was on our first CD from 1993 and the lyrics were written by our friend and sometime co-collaborator Tom Kraus. I don't remember his initial inspiration for the story in the lyric. If I find out, I'll post it here.

Anyway, check out our website. Hopefully you'll find more of our music to your liking as well. We're currently hard at work on music for a new CD, which we hope to release some time before arthritis and senility set in! ;-)

Take care,
Dennis

[Vermillion]

Thank you....but WOW! Seeing those lyrics changes and deepens the meaning of the whole song. I had thought it was a kind of love song, and maybe it still is, but I had completely missed the most profound lyrics, which imbue it with tragedy. For example:

But then the soldiers came.
They put the house in flames,
And sent us to the hills.

Your mother died protecting you,
She fell screaming my name,
And when it's late at night,
Before the morning light,
I wake at every sound.

Now I'm more curious than ever to know what it's about.

[Rick and Roll]

Originally Posted by Vermillion

Now I'm more curious than ever to know what it's about.

Another Tom Kraus song like that is "Late of Conscience"., off of the 2nd record (Children). It's my favorite Iluvatar song. Check it out.

[Vermillion]

So, as a wild guess, could this song possibly be about Cambodia--about someone trying to help someone else across the border, away from the Khmer Rouge, to safety? I'm not sure why the rain helps him, but clearly he wants it to rain.

[DMullin]

Hi Vermillion,

I e-mailed Tom about the meaning of the Exodus Lyrics. Here is his reply:

"It was initially written for any/all of the wars (those of somewhat recent history) in South America, most especially El Salvador. It is written in the voice of a father trying to get his child over the border and away from the war. The line, "...it can't go on raining forever" is the father's optimism that they will get to safety. The last line, "let it rain, let it rain" is his dying realization that his hopes will not be realized. The irony being that he is shot "...by a child's gun" while trying to save his own child. This highlights the deplorable and desperate practice in many countries of using children as soldiers. Unfortunately, Vermillion's point about Cambodia (and many, many other places) would apply as well. This is my favorite Iluvatar tune, followed by Holidays and Miracles."

There you have it, direct from the source!

Dennis

[Vermillion]

Thank you--I appreciate the explanation!

[RogorMortis]

Will the new album be titled "arthritis and senility"? We look forward to it.

[Rick and Roll]

Originally Posted by RogorMortis

Will the new album be titled "arthritis and senility"? We look forward to it.

that's funny....

I just saw Dennis' other band last month...Rogor you would HATE them