Lost Pilgrim

Song details

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

Lyrics

Lost Pilgrim

Pilgrim, those are dry and bitter tears and lonely Eyes that look way beyond your years Pilgrim, did you drink the mercury? Your lips turned blue and you're struggling just to see, You were too far gone to carry on, now your life has stalled, As you march ahead yet go no place at all.. Pilgrim, when you left them all behind The loneliness destroyed your able mind, Pilgrim, see the writing on the door? It's taking you back to a place you were before And the next in line paces your stride waiting for your fall, With a hope that lies in a hidden master's call Pious eyes ignoring passers by Headlong to their grave Don't despair this world of toil and care. This pilgrim lost his way Pilgrim, will you ever find your call? Is truth so pure that you're willing to risk it all? Pious eyes ignoring passers by Headlong to their grave Don't despair this world of toil and care. This pilgrim lost his way

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18release versions
#214

214th most featured song

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Song Interpretations

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

6

legacy memberApr 26, 2025
I've always wondered if this is a reflection on Slaughterhouse-5, whose protagonist is named Billy Pilgrim, is a chaplain during WW 2 and becomes unstuck in time, re-living the same moments over and over again.

It wouldn't be the first time BR has referenced Vonnegut. A couple of songs were dedicated to him in the liner notes of Into the Unknown

F.QUADRATAMay 7, 2021
[quote=Guest]"Drink the mercury" could refer to mercury being administered as medicine.[/quote][quote=Guest]"Drink the mercury" could refer to mercury being administered as medicine.[/quote] you cannot use mercury as medicine coz it's poison in any form,unless you want the opposite effect, which is death,perhaps the due to the pilgrims regrets of choosing his vocation has drank the mercury to kill himself.
ShatteredmasqNov 19, 2009 · edited Aug 22, 2010

To me this is the anthem of the disillusioned to those under the illusion. It's about the pain of coming out of a religion or any system of lies. This song conveys the pain someone has to go through to leave the indoctrination they were bred into; the pain of realizing just how quickly you are shunned and replaced by your peers afterward. And then the pain of having people point at you and actually ask if "truth…

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To me this is the anthem of the disillusioned to those under the illusion. It's about the pain of coming out of a religion or any system of lies. This song conveys the pain someone has to go through to leave the indoctrination they were bred into; the pain of realizing just how quickly you are shunned and replaced by your peers afterward. And then the pain of having people point at you and actually ask if "truth is so pure that you're willing to risk it all?" e.g. if truth is more important than simply leading a happy life where you have a place under a lie. And finally the admission that you are no longer a "pilgrim" of that system, and have lost your way.
whitelights9Aug 27, 2009 · edited Aug 22, 2010
This song Im very sure is just about a hopeless person who disregarded his relations with his roots and abandoned everyone he knew and ventured out aimlessly in the world convinced he we would acquire something more and irrational to find nothing and being left all alone in senility and loneliness; sobbing repentance and disillusionment.
legacy memberOct 9, 2007 · edited Aug 22, 2010
"Drink the mercury" could refer to mercury being administered as medicine.
legacy memberOct 9, 2007 · edited Aug 22, 2010
I feel that this song is about a person going on a pilgrimage in the search for knowledge. A journey that is an unending one; one that only opens more doors and isolates.