anonymous January 21st, 2008 02:25PM  
My fellow Dave listeners.. you have missed the boat on this one. It is not meant to be religious it is meant to be ironical, when he says fill my glass w the wine yuou gave jesus, this is meant to be ironical that be implied that at the last step of life, give me some of that divine juice that jesus got..this is confirmed by a few live versions such as at fenway, he says, "god is not above you, god is in you"

DmbDreamer January 21st, 2008 10:44PM  
The bartender is not Dave or a priest. It is God. The song is about about having made mistakes in life and asking for forgiveness and facing up to the music. I find the song interesting in the dual symbolism of religion and bar tending. While asking for forgiveness from a higher power, asking the bartender to fill your glass indicates also that it would be easier to drink his problems away. Two opposite meanings in the same picture.

anonymous January 24th, 2008 06:38PM  
It is clear that god is the symbolic bartender. just as dave said himself, "this is an agnostic song about god" dave having agnostic views himself, still plays religion into much of his songs..however it is as clear to recognize that as it is to recognize the many times he plays live shows he will lyrically lean his head toward athiesm in many of these borderline religious songs, such as bartender

anonymous July 4th, 2008 02:13AM  
I recently just lost my boyfriend in a motorcycle accident, and I never really listening to Dave's lyrics to this particular song until after. this song speaks to me ..

i think Dave is saying that in life after death, he doesn't want anyone to forget him, and I can relate to that, (that being my biggest fear). He wants people to be loving to themselves and other during life so they can be excepting to death and turn to God in times of need.

AllEyezOpen April 22nd, 2009 04:42PM  
Dave is singing about the redemption we crave at the end of life when we find out that our sins stay with us when we don't save ourselves, " Oh please mother of mine please redirect me if this gold.." It is only in you to save yourself. By asking the bartender and by being on bending knees he is begging to be saved with a quick fix. It;s IRONY people (not to be condescending, that's just the term) Bottom line: To put off your sins and wrong doings to be wiped away rather than seeking guidance and strength within negates the purpose of life and growth. The battle has already been lost. -Love