Song Meaning
Jon Anderson's "Bless This" operates as a multi-lingual invocation, a sonic passport aimed at transcending earthly limitations. The song meaning isn't tethered to concrete narrative; instead, it functions as a mantra, a repeated blessing intended to open pathways to higher states of consciousness. Anderson, known for his ethereal vocal style and spiritually-inclined lyrics, uses both English and Spanish to broaden the spell's reach, suggesting a universal desire for transcendence. The lyrics analysis reveals a focus on language itself as a vehicle: "Speeches simply transportation" and "The Word is a simple way to travel." This implies a belief in the power of sound and vibration to alter perception and access deeper realms of understanding.
The repeated phrase "Through the kingdom of exaltation / Faster than the hitherto known atmospheres" paints a picture of ecstatic flight, a shedding of earthly constraints. This "kingdom of exaltation" could be interpreted as a metaphor for enlightenment, a state of being beyond the limitations of the physical world. The reference to exceeding known atmospheres suggests a pushing beyond the boundaries of conventional experience, a yearning to explore the uncharted territories of the mind and spirit. The phrase "Bless these future light answers / Through our sky of crowded conception" hints at a hope for clarity and insight amidst the complexities of human thought, a desire for illumination to pierce through the noise of everyday existence.
Ultimately, "Bless This" is less about conveying a specific message and more about creating a sonic environment conducive to spiritual exploration. It's an invitation to the listener to join Anderson on a journey inward, to use the song as a tool for meditation and self-discovery. The unfinished quality of the final line, "The song simply is a reflection of..." further reinforces this idea, suggesting that the song's true meaning is not fixed but rather a mirror reflecting the individual listener's own inner landscape and aspirations.
