“Release” by Pearl Jam

Ten
Epic Records
1991

This is a beautiful song telling the story of people who obeyed God including Noah, Abraham, and Jesus. The character in each story struggles with the desire to be released from their responsibility. Noah seeks release from his task of building the ark, Abraham with the command to kill his son, and Jesus from execution.

I see the world

Feel the chill

Which way to go

Windowsill

I see the world's on a

Rocking horse of time

I see the birds in the rain

Dear dad

Can you see me now?

I am myself

Like you somehow

I'll ride the wave

Where it takes me

I'll hold the pain

Release me

Dear Dad

Can you see me now?

I am myself

Like you somehow

I'll wait up in the dark

For you to speak to me

I'll open up

Release me

Interpretation

I see the world

Feel the chill

Which way to go

Windowsill

I see the world's on a

Rocking horse of time

I see the birds in the rain

God commands Noah to build a big boat and he obeys. Noah surveys “the world” around him and “feels the chill” meaning the wickedness of the people as well as the destruction caused by the flood. After the flood destroys the evil of human civilization, Noah wonders where to go since they are floating aimlessly. He then muses about the nature of reality and describes the movement of God in creation as a “rocking horse of time” meaning the tilt from creation to the flood and now back to a fresh start. The “birds in the rain” signifies the birds that brought proof of dry land or, in a veiled way, it could be Noah anticipating the coming of Messiah (the dove at Jesus’ baptism).

Dear dad

Can you see me now?

I am myself

Like you somehow

I'll ride the wave

Where it takes me

I'll hold the pain

Next, is Abraham’s story. The familiarity with which he addresses God exhibits their intimacy. God has just asked him to sacrifice his son Isaac and Abraham is poised to follow through. He describes himself as “like” God comparing his own sacrifice to God’s sending of his only son to be executed. In this way they are similar. Abraham promises to follow God’s order (“ride the wave where it takes me”) despite the fact that it will be hurt. Abraham is prepared to bear this burden (“hold the pain”).

Release me

This line is sung by Noah and Abraham as a request to be excused from the task or (like Jesus on the cross saying ‘into your hands I commit my spirit’) it could be a declaration of complete surrender to God’s will; a statement of readiness to obey God’s commands.

Dear Dad

Can you see me now?

I am myself

Like you somehow

I'll wait up in the dark

For you to speak to me

I'll open up

There are two possible speakers here. The first is Jesus in the garden crying out to God (his “Dad”) to “speak” to him. Jesus prays for the cup, or his impending execution, to be removed from him. Jesus prays in the garden all night, listening for God. The second possible speaker is a generic narrator who is in turmoil over something God calls him to do. He asks if God sees him, understands that the agony he is experiencing is “somehow” like Jesus in the garden. The narrator promises to “wait” patiently throughout the “dark” of the night to hear God “speak. He promises to “open up”, to submit to God.

Release me

Jesus asks God to release him from the responsibility of the cross and the other speaker asks to be released from his painful duty. But all of these speakers when they say, “release me”, are also surrendering to God. Their request is also to be released from their doubt and strengthened as they obey.