Shannon’s Perspective:
"Mr. and Mrs. River they were more than narrow-minded, they were closed-minded."
This song is not going to be for everyone but growing up with my own Mrs. River this song is very therapeutic for me. The trauma caused by ultra religious parents is very real and you can hear it in his voice throughout this 11 minute plus song.
If you recall from Never Enough, my best friend from high school, Aaron, turned me onto The Toll. It was not love at first hearing - it took quite a while for me to come around. But I did, and once I really paid attention to this song, I knew they would live with me forever.
To save you from the time-suck of actually listening to the song at least twice, if not three times to really get into it (it is, after all, 11 minutes 20 seconds long) I would post the lyrics. Alas, the internet does not have them easily available and I don't have the time to type it all out.
Essentially it is a story of one individuals journey through religion, specifically Catholicism. Don't quote me, but I believe it is autobiographical in nature for the lead singer.
I was not was raised Catholic, but the song is definitely autobiographical in nature for me. I am so high and mighty that I judge hypocrites more than anything else. In my small sampling of every single "religious" person I have met in my life, less than 1% truly walked the talk. And since I'm not religious, I can judge them as much as I want and not give a shit! No fear for me of the afterlife!
Cast of Characters:
Jameson Rain
Mr. and Mrs. Vincent and Dorothy River
Reverend Valley
So here's to you, "F" organized religion! and "F" hypocrites (you know who you are)!
30th Anniversary
Our Story - Shannon's Perspective
Our Story - Larry's Perspective
Ghost of a Chance (Rush) and why?
Ghost of a Chance 