Grace

The following is from the band U2’s website. It’s the back story to one of my favorite songs, followed by the lyrics (I especially like how, though it is Bono's generalized belief that "the universe operates by karma," grace personified in his song overcomes the tit-for-tat modus operandi of it).

From the website:

“Grace is a theme that Bono latched onto in his later years. Grace can have many meanings. The grace of god, someone's name and simply being in someone's 'good graces'.

With this song from All That You Can't Leave Behind, grace is possibly best described as a character that has an empirical quality about them, almost godlike.

Indeed, when Bono's lyric refers to Grace carrying a pearl Bono is referenceing the following passage from the Bible, Matthew 13:45–46:

'Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it'

Of the character in the song, Bono has actually said: 

‘"There are a couple of my favourite people rolled into that lyric but the most important thing is that they personify my favourite word in the lexicon of the English language. It's a word I'm depending on. The universe operates by Karma, we all know that. For every action there's an equal and opposite reaction. There is atonement built in: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Then enters Grace and turns that upside down. I love it.”'


Lyrics


Grace, she takes the blame

She covers the shame

Removes the stain

It could be her name

Grace, it's the name for a girl

It's also a thought that could change the world

And when she walks on the street

You can hear the strings

Grace finds goodness in everything



Grace, she's got the walk

Not on a ramp or on chalk

She's got the time to talk

She travels outside of karma, karma

She travels outside of karma

When she goes to work

You can hear the strings

Grace finds beauty in everything



Grace, she carries a world on her hips

No champagne flue for her lips

No twirls or skips between her fingertips

She carries a pearl in perfect condition

What once was hurt

What once was friction

What left a mark no longer stings

Because Grace makes beauty

Out of ugly things

Grace finds beauty in everything

Grace finds goodness in everything'