"Reckoning Day" by John Mark McMillan is a heartfelt song that speaks to the need for personal and societal awakening. The song is filled with metaphors and imagery, so the meaning can be open to interpretation. The lyrics suggest that there is a sense of impending judgment or accountability. The lions bending their heads could symbolize submission or humility in light of this reckoning. The interstate giving up her dead could refer to the consequences of the past catching up with us, where mistakes and wrongdoings cannot be ignored any longer. The song then calls for everyone to come alive, to wake up and pay attention. It encourages people to get out of their metaphorical beds and listen to the sound of the "song unsung". This could mean embracing something new, whether it's facing a personal truth or being open to change in the world. The lyrics also mention burying guns in the sand, which could represent letting go of violence and aggression. The changing temperature and the bloodshot eye of the sun staining the bones could signify a state of transformation or the consequences of violence. The hour taking you apart in the reckoning day suggests that time will reveal your true self or bring about a moment of truth. The property lines of the heart drawn in clay may mean that our perceptions and attachments are not permanent and can be challenged or reshaped. The tidewater taxing the shores and the flood standing high at the doors speak to the destructive forces that come with negligence or ignorance. The houses we've made could represent the foundations we've built and the structures we've established, which may be at risk of being washed away or destroyed. The closing lines of the song call for the gates to be lifted, for those who wait to lift up their eyes. This could symbolize a call to action, to rise above complacency and passivity. The reference to daughter, son, ashes, and dust suggests that all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances, have a role to play in shaping a better future. Overall, "Reckoning Day" is a song that urges listeners to wake up, take responsibility, and be open to transformation. It speaks to the need for personal and societal change in order to create a better world.
