Dearly Beloved

Song details

Bad Religion original
Yes
First released
2007
First release
New Maps of Hell (album)
Songwriter
Brett Gurewitz

Lyrics

Dearly Beloved

Here's a story of an honest man losing religion, Climbing the pulpit steps before an eager congregation, The while praying came a wicked inspiration, Brothers, sisters this is what he said: Dearly beloved, dearly beloved, dearly beloved, (Make no mistake, despite our traits, I've seldom seen evidence of genes) I can't relate to you, I can't relate to you! He was the kind of guy who'd always go right out of his way, But more before that crazy notion leapt right into his head, And stubbornly crept into every mad perception, I can't deny a funny feeling when he said: Dearly beloved, dearly beloved, dearly beloved, I can't relate to you, I can't relate to you! Dearest in memoriam - set phasers to stun And grab yourself a neighbors' skeleton to lean upon, Did you know him in life - one filled with regret, So soon we all forget - we ever met, Do you know my name - sing a light refrain For a man estranged - I won't deny that I'm inclined to isolate Dearly beloved, dearly beloved, dearly beloved, I can't relate to you, I can't relate to you! I can't relate to you, I can't relate to you, I can't relate to you!

Versions & recordings

Grouped by recording

4

Song statistics

Archive coverage at a glance

28release versions
#180

180th most featured song

253documented shows
#36

36th most played song

Live through the years

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Song Interpretations

What do you think this song is about? Share your interpretation and explain your reasoning.

11

walderJun 18, 2022
To my way of thinking, the song is about spiritual awakening but in reverse. The man finds his belief system by rejecting religion.

The best example of BR looking at things from different angles. I mean LOOKING IN at things.
walderJun 18, 2022
To my way of thinking, the song is about spiritual awakening but in reverse. The man finds his belief system by rejecting religion.

The best example of BR looking at things from different angles. I mean LOOKING IN at things.
walderJun 18, 2022
To my way of thinking, the song is about spiritual awakening but in reverse. The man finds his belief system by rejecting religion.

The best example of BR looking at things from different angles. I mean LOOKING IN at things.
legacy memberJan 26, 2016
Upon reflection and self realization man realizes that he does not need the strength in numbers to maintain a spiritual existence and such pursuits will leave you filled with regret
Anesthesia Mona LisaJun 23, 2012

[quote=Guests]A guy (a priest or something like that, I presume?) realizes that he doesn't really believe in his religion, and says so to the congregation at church. Basically.[/quote] I agree. And the congregation basically disowned him afterwards: "I'm inclined to isolate." Funny, I've been singing the lyrics wrong. I thought he was saying "The wild praying gave him wicked inspiration." I was envisioning a preach…

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[quote=Guests]A guy (a priest or something like that, I presume?) realizes that he doesn't really believe in his religion, and says so to the congregation at church. Basically.[/quote]

I agree. And the congregation basically disowned him afterwards: "I'm inclined to isolate."

Funny, I've been singing the lyrics wrong. I thought he was saying "The wild praying gave him wicked inspiration." I was envisioning a preacher at one of those hard core churches ("HEAL ME, Lord!") where they all scream and speak in tongues and such.
JFer47Mar 17, 2009

Brett mentioned once that this song is about the effects of isolation on a person. It sounds like a good honest priest who has devoted his life to his faith starts to realize he doesn't really believe, or at least not as he should. He's a good person through and through, but just began losing his faith. He sees the fakeness in the people within his church (So soon we all forget we ever met). Being a priest he fee…

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Brett mentioned once that this song is about the effects of isolation on a person.
It sounds like a good honest priest who has devoted his life to his faith starts to realize he doesn't really believe, or at least not as he should. He's a good person through and through, but just began losing his faith. He sees the fakeness in the people within his church (So soon we all forget we ever met).
Being a priest he feels like people just don't know/care who he is. The bridge seems like him questioning God'; "Do you know my name?" as he feels like an estranged man.
AliceCullenMar 14, 2009 · edited Mar 14, 2009
I think that this song is about a man who went through some tough things and figures out that maybe God doesn't exist BUT he wants to have faith yet he can't find it.
ahardy55Mar 12, 2009
Brett said on the "Making of the Acoustic EP" feature on the new edition of NMOH that the song was about family, about being blood related but separate from them.
bla556Mar 5, 2009 · edited Aug 22, 2010
I agree with the first, but I always wonder what the bridge is meant to say?
To me it sounds as if the person gets killed for his non-belief.
entropyfanMar 4, 2009
I think this is a euphemistic portrayal of a church shooting. The perpetrator obviously has his own dogma, but is perhaps more to the right than that of the progressive congregation.
legacy memberDec 19, 2007 · edited Date unknown
A guy (a priest or something like that, I presume?) realizes that he doesn't really believe in his religion, and says so to the congregation at church. Basically.