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https://songmeaning.ai/songs/U2-until-the-end-of-the-world
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U2's 'Until the End of the World' is a narrative song that recounts the biblical story of betrayal by Judas Iscariot to Jesus Christ. The song, through its poetic and evocative lyrics, explores themes of betrayal, guilt, and redemption. It metaphorically depicts key moments such as the Last Supper, Judas accepting bribe money, and his subsequent regret, leading to his suicide—all portrayed as a personal, emotional exchange between Judas and Jesus, layered with rich symbolism and modern reinterpretations.
The emotional journey of 'Until the End of the World' begins somberly, with a sense of reflective distance, as the narrator, interpreted as Judas Iscariot, recalls past events with Jesus. The first verse evokes an intimate setting, the Last Supper, wherein everyone appears content except Jesus, who ponders the weight of what's to come. The emotional climate is mixed; there's fellowship and celebration, tainted with an undercurrent of foreshadowing doom.
As the song transitions into the second verse, the mood drastically shifts to deceit and the shock of betrayal. The act of spiking a drink illustrates a cunning move to manipulate, a sentiment underscored by the Biblical act of Judas kissing Jesus to identify him to the soldiers—symbolized by 'playing the tart' in the song. This betrayal is both personal and monumental, splitting the emotional scape into a duality of delight in trickery and the ache of a fractured bond.
The third verse plunges the listener into the depths of regret. Here, Judas' emotions are a tumultuous sea, where his sorrows are now overwhelming him, signifying his inability to escape the consequences of his actions. The imagery of sorrows learning to swim portrays the persistent nature of guilt, haunting Judas within an internal turmoil of both regret (waves of regret) and a twisted sense of fulfillment (waves of joy) over his acts.
In the conclusion of the song, Judas reaches out to Jesus, the one he tried to destroy and who had foretold his betrayal ('You said you'd wait till the end of the world'), suggesting a search for redemption or forgiveness. The pinnacle of the emotional journey expresses the complexity of remorse and the yearning for forgiveness against an irredeemable act. The repeated outro of 'love' could either be a plea or an acknowledgment of the enduring love that withstands even betrayal.
"We ate the food, we drank the wine"
This line references the Last Supper, where Jesus dined with his disciples before his betrayal, hinting at the intimacy and ultimate betrayal that would occur.
"In the garden I was playing the tart"
This represents Judas' betrayal of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane by identifying Jesus with a kiss, which is traditionally a sign of affection, but here it's twisted into a symbol of treachery.
"I took the money"
Judas' infamous acceptance of 30 pieces of silver in exchange for betraying Jesus is encapsulated in this simple yet heavy statement.
"You, you said you'd wait till the end of the world"
This line speaks to the finality and the apocalyptic nature of the event being narrated, where Jesus prophesies about the end times, even amid betrayal.
