Meaning of "Who Will Guard The Door" by Over The Rhine

The lyrics of "Who Will Guard The Door" by Over The Rhine convey a sense of inner turmoil and indecision within a relationship. The speaker struggles with feelings of uncertainty and an inability to fully embrace the person they are with, represented by references to the hand they wanted to take but couldn't, the decision they couldn't make, and the religion they should forsake. The repeated question of who will guard the door while they are sleeping suggests a fear of being left exposed and unprotected. The mention of the four horsemen stealing their name hints at a loss of identity and the idea of external forces causing upheaval. The final stanza reveals a deep-seated fear of vulnerability, as the speaker acknowledges their own shortcomings and inability to be there for their partner in the same way. Overall, the lyrics delve into themes of inner conflict, fear of intimacy, and the struggle to maintain emotional connections.