Comments on: Amistad by The Fray lyrics

By: Unknown

Unknown — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:53:32 +0000

the first verse to me personally in where my spiritual life is means that God cares where you are no matter whether you are still in church or if you have left.. he still cares about you even if you are going contrary to what he expects from you it is a very deep song for me the first time i heard it, it touched me. it’s kinda like how i have been lost and i try to find my way back to him but no matter what ever it is i do it never happens… i try to go back to where i know i’m supposed to be where he expects me but temptation has a way of finding me.. and i just cant get away from it.. but he will always be with me no matter what and he will always find me.

By: michael

michael — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:36:51 +0000

God, The Lord is known to have walked with Adam, Moses, Noah, Jesus who is the Son of Man. He doesn’t smoke cigarettes. The Lord that Issac is speaking of is another God. The Creator does not sin nor does his only begotten son, Jesus Christ who is sinless and without stain or blemish. We need to keep that into perspective, but to say that “The Fray” are unbelievers or anti-christians is foolish, they believe in God, they don’t need a pepsi can to figure that he really exists and yes, he does walk with His Son on His terms and on His timing.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:37:03 +0000

I’m with Eegor – I think First and Amistad is an intersection.

There is a First and Amistad in Quemado, TX but where 1st and Amistad meet in Quemado does not have a corner. I couldn’t see God there in Google either but that’s the internet for you!

I think it is far more likely to be a Denver location – which is where the “west was almost won” – being near a number of locations where massacres of Cheyanne and Arapahoe occurred.

Google does show a place called El Centro Amistad (Centre for Friends) having closed on a corner: 205 Canyon Blvd, Boulder, CO. Curiously there is a sequence of streets from this intersection which are numbered but the road at the intersection is Pearl St – which would have been First St if it was ever numbered.

I wonder if it might have been re-named but known as First when The Fray members were growing up. It is quite close to where Isaac Slade and Joe King grew up – 25km from Ralston Valley High School.

I thought the song was about one of the frequent puzzles about this God guy. Why doesn’t he come when you actually need him?

Chris R, Australia

By: Aditi

Aditi — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:27:15 +0000

Hey Chris, I’ve been thinking that way myself, it’s as if God is telling us that we are lost and insecure, and how someone’s just found him. Love is evident through the words “Why’d you have to wait? To find me?” as if by trusting and loving him, the person in the song would have been prevented from experiencing trauma, which God wants. Also, I agree with you that maybe the Fray meant how God’s been wanting to be connected to the man.
But I guess this doesn’t fit too well with “taking all I own” – so maybe its both God and a person having a conversation – where the person is really bitter and God is there with infinite love.
I also like Marissa’s view – that God finds us, whatever shape and circumstance

By: Tom

Tom — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 16:46:30 +0000

1st St & W Amistad Ave, Quemado, Maverick, Texas 78877

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 01:04:23 +0000

The point of view starts off as the guys. Then it switches over to God’s. The person that had someone close lost God along the way. When the song says “I’ve been calling…. for years and years and years and you never left me no messages” that is God calling the man. The man lost touch with God and when he finally found him again it was too late because he was dying.

By: David

David — Mon, 11 May 2009 06:08:56 +0000

“On the Corner of First and Amistad.” The FIRST motion picture that Steven Spielberg made through the DreamWorks corporation was called, “AMISTAD.”

By: Catie

Catie — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:53:58 +0000

I think the line ’smoking his last cigarette’ is just meant to express the feeling that God was taking a break or sitting down on the job. Hes pissed cause he cant find God and thinking he must not care to much cause if he was really paying attention he’d be helping. i think we all get to that point with God at one time or another.

By: Abigail

Abigail — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:49:51 +0000

It’s been awesome reading these comments. I’m like in tears as new light is shed on an already heart-grabbing song that kinda had me a bit confused as to what the author is getting at, thats why I looked up this blog…,
Tear-jerking song especially if your experiencing.. I’m lost & insecure, God I need you… WHERE ARE YOu?… & you just desperate to find God… & although, yes, the author seems to express some frustration at God being “late” & seemingly “not around” in his hardest time, the song somehow does portray God’s merciful understanding closest-friend-like kindness, like “bring it on”.. I know what you’ve been going through… a heartfelt, … looks you in the eye.. with compassionate empathy… welcomes you… “__Ask me ANYTHING__… let your raw, honest feelings pour out…

Also the author writes that he found God On the corner of First and Amistad – if this is an intersection somewhere – it must be where he lives as he states All his days were spent by the telephone -It never rang
And all he needed was a call – It never came to the corner of First and Amistad… but the irony is the corner of First and Amistad – is where he found God… this verse (with the repeated “never came”, “never rang”) also might be conveying the authors desperate longing/ anticipation for help /communication / relationship with God / answers to his trials.. when everything was falling apart…

Although mixed/sandwhiched with frustration, When it comes down to it, the author seems to be from the bottom of his heart deeply -grateful- that “You found me” in my such rock-bottom state.. “You found me”.. hence highlighted in the song through repetition and the title.

“Where the west Was all but won”
Whats people’s take on this line?

CHeers:)

By: Eegor

Eegor — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 01:00:44 +0000

I love reading everyone’s thoughts! I believe that “1st and Amistad” is an actual intersection somewhere, but it seems to carry specific significance as well because of the meaning of amistad (friendship). Our most significant relationship/friendship will always be the one we have with God.
My take on God “smoking his last cigarette” is that it has more to do with our attitude when we approach Him after tragedies have occurred. You know how you get mad when you’re waiting for someone and they’re taking their sweet time (smoking their last cigarette) before they do what you need them to do? We act like He’s just been chillin’ somewhere, smoking on His last cigarette before moseying along to our aid. That’s how we feel and how we approach Him, but we are wrong about Him and how He works. WE are the ones who are too late, while He is always there, willing to comfort and give understanding if we are truly ready to accept it. Also, we have to remember that He is not a wish-fulfilling fairy, here to grant our wishes at our whim. Humankind brought sin, shame, and death into world, essentially telling God to “back off while we do things our way.” It is proof of His infinite mercy and love that He actually still offers His friendship and does anything good for us at all; He truly does so much more for me than I deserve.

God bless you guys (The Fray, and everyone who is searching)!