Many people believe this to be about the people in Bono’s life, the enduring, overcoming love of Bono’s family for him, and his coming to finally feel secure in that love. Namely, his wife in verse 1, his brother, Norman, in verse 2 and his dad in verse 3. Of course, it could be about everyone’s family. There is no stronger and more constant influence in our lives than our families.
Others believe it is about the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.) The first verse refers to the Spirit, as his “lover”. Verse 2 is about Jesus (The Son). Many Biblical scriptures talk about Jesus “running after” people to bring them to him. Jesus also referred to us all as “brothers”. The third verse about Heavenly Father and is welcoming Bono into his kingdom if he wants to stay.
For the non-religious, the “Cup of Gold” was given to Jesus Christ to drink from, i.e. to go through with the crucifixion and resurrection, and the keys to the Father’s Kingdom has been given to Jesus Christ as well. Of course, Bono could be role playing here but with a difference, telling us what he would have done in the same situation as Jesus was in.
“It’s about losing your faith,” Bono finally says. “I haven’t lost my faith. I’ve a great deal of faith. But that song expressed that moment a lot of people feel.”
Click here to download the guitar tab for The First Time
I have a lover,
A lover like no other
She got soul, soul, soul, sweet soul
And she teach me how to sing
Shows me colours when there’s none to see
Gives me hope when I can’t believe that
For the first time I feel love
I have a brother,
When I’m a brother in need
I spend my whole time running
He spends his running after me
When I feel myself goin’ down
I just call and he comes around
But for the first time I feel love
My father is a rich man
He wears a rich man’s cloak
Gave me the keys to his kingdom (coming)
Gave me a cup of gold
He said “I have many mansions
And there are many rooms to see”
But I left by the back door
And I threw away the key…
For the first time
For the first time
For the first time
I feel love
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