Get ready for love

Nick Cave's 'Get Ready for Love' is a powerful anthem that intertwines themes of divine love, spiritual awakening, and the human quest for meaning. The song opens with a fervent call to 'Praise Him,' setting a tone of reverence and urgency. This repeated exhortation to get ready for love suggests a preparation for a profound, transformative experience, one that transcends the mundane aspects of daily life.

The lyrics delve into the notion that life often feels uneventful, with God seemingly distant in the 'ordinary sky.' However, Cave suggests that miracles and divine interventions occur quietly, often unnoticed amidst our distractions. This idea is reinforced by the repeated call to 'every boy and girl around the world,' emphasizing a universal invitation to recognize and embrace this divine love.

Cave's imagery of the 'mighty waving their hankies from their high-windowed palace' juxtaposes the elite's detached gestures with the common people's earnest search for meaning. The 'gate to the Kingdom' swinging shut symbolizes missed opportunities for spiritual enlightenment due to our preoccupations. The refrain to 'Praise Him till you've forgotten what you're praising Him for' underscores the importance of persistent faith and devotion, even when the reasons for it become obscure.

In the latter part of the song, Cave describes a personal epiphany, where he sees God's face 'burned in the retina of your eyes.' This vivid imagery conveys a moment of profound realization and connection with the divine, suggesting that love and divinity are omnipresent, waiting to be discovered in the most unexpected places. 'Get Ready for Love' is a compelling reminder of the need for spiritual readiness and the transformative power of divine love.