Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a profound, almost mystical awakening on a "crisp as bacon morning." The narrator rises from bed, drawn to something extraordinary, a "favor like no mortal eye behold." This leads to a deliberate choice: to "taste the flavor of the ancient of the old," suggesting a quest for deep, perhaps spiritual, knowledge or experience. The narrative then shifts to a more precarious state, a "doubtful circumstance" on a "chill as winter evening." Here, a powerful, almost divine intervention is described: "He stopped the evil breathing of a one time's serpent's chance." This implies a past struggle or temptation that has been overcome, leaving the narrator longing for the same profound essence, the "mystic fragrance of the ancient of the old." The final stanza solidifies the narrator's commitment. Holding a "chalice in my hand" amidst a "red as amber burning," they accept a destiny, acknowledging "there is no turning." The "mystery untold" is poised to be revealed in "all its glory," directly linked to the "ancient of the old," indicating a final, irreversible embrace of this profound truth or power. This lyrical journey is effective through its vivid, sensory imagery and its steady build towards an inevitable, transformative encounter. The contrast between the mundane morning and the cosmic "favor," the chilling doubt and the divine intervention, and the burning acceptance all create a powerful sense of spiritual or existential seeking and ultimate fulfillment.