New Zion

New Zion
Album	Heretic Pride
Released	2008
Artist	the Mountain Goats
Length	2:55
Previous Track	"Autoclave"
Next Track	"So Desperate"

New Zion is the fifth song on the album Heretic Pride.

Press Kit notes

New Zion

How come we never hear about religious cults anymore? The high hollering days of cultmania made my childhood such a thrill: what was the real risk that I'd talk to some robed fellow on the street one day and find myself instantly, involuntarily converted to some bizarre creed? Really, the cults were second only to Santa Claus in their mysterious powers. "New Zion" is only about an imaginary cult but I hope somebody starts it up real soon.

Lyrics

There were signs up in the sky
When we gathered by the garden wall
Everybody on his best behavior
Listening for the altar call

High priest of Salem in his robes
Ranting out the coming of the day
Ravens at the gates
Frightening all the visitors away

I lay down by the water
Dreamed a dream of where I come from
Old things made new
Waiting for you

There were wooden wind-chimes rustling
In the trees above the anthills on the dunes
On the high winds we could hear them
Old familiar tunes

The little bit of faith we had once
Like the memory of a movie
They got burned up in the great fire
Reassembling itself slowly but surely

I lay down by the water
Dreamed a dream of where I come from
Old things made new
Waiting for you

Comments by John Darnielle About this Song

• "They are the chosen. This song is for them. it's about a religious cult going to meet their [inaudible]" -- 2008-10-13 - Park West - Chicago, IL

Things Referenced in this Song

• Salem is an ancient Middle Eastern town mentioned in the Bible. (Wikipedia)

Live Shows this Song Was Played at

• 2008-02-23 - Neumo's - Seattle, WA
• 2008-02-25 - Doug Fir Lounge - Portland, OR
• 2008-03-14 - Museum of Fine Arts - Boston, MA
• 2008-10-13 - Park West - Chicago, IL
• 2008-10-17 - Bluebird Theater - Denver, CO
• 2008-10-18 - In the Venue - Salt Lake City, UT
• 2008-10-20 - The Showbox - Seattle, WA
• 2008-10-25 - Troubadour - Los Angeles, CA
• 2008-10-26 - Troubadour - Los Angeles, CA
• 2008-10-29 - Club Congress - Tucson, AZ
• 2008-10-31 - The Foundation - Lubbock, TX
• 2008-11-01 - Antones - Austin, TX
• 2008-11-03 - Republic - New Orleans, LA
• 2008-11-05 - Cat's Cradle - Carrboro, NC
• 2008-11-06 - 9:30 Club - Washington, D.C.
• 2008-11-07 - Theater of the Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA
• 2008-11-09 - Webster Hall - New York, NY
• 2008-12-05 - Manning Bar - Sydney, Australia
• 2008-12-10 - Billboard - Melbourne, Australia
• 2009-03-19 - Duke Coffeehouse - Durham, NC
• 2011-03-26 - Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center - York, PA
• 2017-04-01 - Bond Brothers Beer Company - Cary, NC
• 2017-04-06 - Badlands - Perth, Australia
• 2017-04-09 - The Factory Theatre - Sydney, Australia
• 2017-04-11 - The Toff in Town - Melbourne, Australia
• 2023-04-02 - Soul Kitchen - Mobile, AL
• 2023-04-11 - The Slowdown - Omaha, NE
• 2023-04-21 - XL Live - Harrisburg, PA
• 2023-04-22 - Cat's Cradle - Carrboro, NC
• 2023-04-23 - Cat's Cradle - Carrboro, NC
• 2023-07-07 - Pablo Center at the Confluence - Eau Claire, WI
• 2023-07-10 - The Lyric - Oxford, MS
• 2023-07-14 - Liberty Hall - Lawrence, KS
• 2023-08-05 - Citizens House of Blues - Boston, MA
• 2023-08-08 - Woodland Park Zoo - Seattle, WA
• 2023-08-09 - Pioneer Courthouse Square - Portland, OR
• 2024-10-09 - United Theatre - Westerly, RI

Videos of this Song

• 2008-11-01 - Antones - Austin, TX