“Saint Bernard” by Lincoln, a lesser-known alternative rock band from the late 1990s, is a poignant and introspective song that delves into themes of self-worth, identity, and the struggle for acceptance. The song is deeply influenced by the artist’s experiences growing up in a religious environment.
Through its exploration of religious upbringing, self-worth, and the quest for love, “Saint Bernard” invites listeners to reflect on their own paths to finding true love and acceptance.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
Table of Contents
“Saint Bernard” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
Hung pictures of patron saints up on my wall
To remind me that I am a fool
Tell me where I came from, what I will always be:
Just a spoiled little kid who went to Catholic school
In this verse, the narrator reflects on their religious upbringing. The images of patron saints serve as a constant reminder of their perceived foolishness and shortcomings. The narrator acknowledges their background as a “spoiled little kid” who attended Catholic school, suggesting a sense of guilt or inadequacy instilled by their religious education.
[Verse 2]
When I am dead, I won’t join their ranks
‘Cause they are both holy and free
And I’m in Ohio, satanic and chained up
And until the end, that’s how it’ll be
Here, the narrator contrasts themselves with the saints, who are “holy and free.” They feel trapped and unworthy, describing themselves as “satanic and chained up” in Ohio. This implies a feeling of being spiritually and morally confined, unable to attain the holiness and freedom they associate with the saints.
[Chorus 1]
I said “Make me love myself, so that I might love you”
Don’t make me a liar, ’cause I swear to God
When I said it, I thought it was true
In this chorus, the narrator expresses a desire for self-love as a prerequisite for loving others. They plead not to be made a liar, emphasizing the sincerity of their past intentions. This highlights the internal struggle to reconcile their self-image with their aspirations for genuine love and connection.
[Verse 3]
Saint Calvin told me not to worry about you
But he’s got his own things to deal with
There’s really just one thing that we have in common:
Neither of us will be missed
This verse introduces “Saint Calvin,” possibly a reference to John Calvin, a key figure in Protestant Reformation, or a metaphorical figure representing rational thought. The narrator notes that even this figure has personal struggles, and they share a sense of insignificance, believing that neither will be missed.
[Chorus 2]
Saint Bernard sits at the top of the driveway
You always said how you loved dogs
I don’t know if I count, but I’m trying my best
When I’m howling and barking these songs
In this final chorus, the “Saint Bernard” at the top of the driveway symbolizes loyalty and companionship, akin to the qualities of the dog breed. The narrator references a loved one’s affection for dogs and questions their own worthiness. The “howling and barking” metaphorically represents their efforts to communicate and express themselves, striving to be seen and valued.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Saint Bernard”
The song “Saint Bernard” reflects Lincoln’s difficult upbringing in a religious school, where images of patron saints were a constant reminder of his perceived foolishness and inadequacy.
The lyrics delve into the narrator’s complex emotions of self-worth and the struggle for self-acceptance. The mention of feeling “satanic and chained up” in Ohio contrasts with the holiness and freedom associated with saints, emphasizing a sense of spiritual and moral confinement.
The narrator’s plea for self-love as a means to love others highlights an internal battle to reconcile their self-perception with their desire for genuine connection.
The Saint Bernard dog is often associated with loyalty, rescue, and unconditional love. In the song, the Saint Bernard sitting at the top of the driveway symbolizes these qualities. The narrator is striving to embody these traits, trying their best to be loyal and loving, even as they struggle with their own self-worth and identity.
The Saint Bernard serves as a poignant metaphor for the narrator’s internal struggle. The narrator questions their own worthiness and efforts to be seen and valued, much like a loyal dog seeking approval and love from its owner.
The song also uses religious imagery extensively, including references to patron saints and Catholic school. The Saint Bernard, while primarily a dog breed, also evokes the idea of a saintly figure.
In the end, the song captures a sense of existential angst, with the narrator feeling insignificant and isolated. This is highlighted by references to “Saint Calvin” and the assertion that “neither of us will be missed,” suggesting a shared sense of insignificance and struggle.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.