Song Meaning
The lyrics open as a direct address to a powerful, benevolent entity, the "Mover." The speaker expresses profound submission and dependence, asking to "always submit unto thee." There's an immediate sense of reverence and a desire for guidance.
A core tension emerges in the line, "You don't move men like stones but endue them with life." This isn't about forced control; instead, the "Mover" grants agency, allowing individuals to be "free to be moved by thee." This suggests a paradox where true freedom is found within a chosen, willing alignment with this powerful force. The speaker's past inability to "see" or "love" without the "Mover's" initial love further highlights this dependency.
The imagery of "stones" is particularly striking. Initially, the "Mover" doesn't treat people as inanimate objects, but later, the speaker confesses, "my heart was a stone." This personalizes the earlier metaphor, revealing a past state of emotional inertness or hardness. The transformation is profound: the "Mover" "made it your own," implying a softening and claiming of this once-unfeeling core.
The shift from "Mover" to "Lover" in the final stanza deepens the emotional impact significantly. It transforms a relationship of power and guidance into one of intimate affection and personal devotion. The concluding declaration, "Now my heart is free to be moved by thee," powerfully resolves the initial tension, showing that the freedom granted by the "Mover" culminates in a heart fully receptive and alive to love. The lyrics effectively convey a journey from passive existence to active, loving submission.