Is This Gospel?

"This Is Gospel" is one of the most popular songs off Panic! At The Disco's Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die album. This highly personal song, whose lyrics stayed hidden on band member Brendon Urie's hard drive for months before he let anyone else read them, was written in direct reference to major issues in his life: fellow bandmate Spencer Smith's pill addiction and alcoholism, and Urie's subsequent worry about the future of their friendship and the band as a whole. The song's title and lyrics also take noticeable cues from Urie's Mormon upbringing (which he no longer identifies with, now citing music as his religion instead). Although the song was not written for universal relatability and deals with the specific contention between the two band members, the lyrics still resonate with many listeners dealing with similar issues.

The song opens:

This is gospel for the fallen onesLocked away in permanent slumberAssembling their philosophies
From pieces of broken memories

The repetition of the words, "This is gospel," throughout the song already establish a spiritual tone. Words like "permanent slumber," "fallen ones," and "philosophies" are reminiscent of ideas such as death and transcendence. "Gospel" is also defined as something regarded as true, or a doctrine of prime importance; thus, the song is presented as a rallying call to those who are struggling.

The first two lines establish a double meaning: while the "fallen ones locked away in permanent slumber" could be in reference to the dead, the "slumber" could be interpreted in a metaphorical sense, referring to dark times in one's life (more specifically, Smith's battle with addiction).

Oh, this is the beat of my heart, this is the beat of my heart [2x]

The repetition of the lines, "This is the beat of my heart," establish that the song is truly being spoken from the writer's heart. They give an image of laying bare one's vulnerability and humanity. Contrasting from the previous lines, they act as a sort of resurrection in which the speaker reminds himself that he is still alive.

Their gnashing teeth and criminal tongues conspire against the odds
But they haven’t seen the best of us yet

This one I'm far less sure about the meaning. "Gnashing teeth" and "criminal tongues" are harsh words with strong consonance, establishing an "us vs. them" dynamic between an underdog, who "conspires against the odds," and another, likely unforgiving party. Of course, the "they haven't seen the best of us yet" line instills a sense of hope and desire to fight through hard times.

If you love me let me goIf you love me let me go‘Cause these words are knives and often leave scarsThe fear of falling apartAnd truth be told, I never was yoursThe fear, the fear of falling apart

Brendon Urie's voice when singing these lines is both raw and breathtaking. According to Urie, these lines flip between his and Smith's points of view. This chorus establishes an emotional battle of sorts, in which both sides are getting hurt. The comparison between words and knives that leave scars, as well as the fear of falling apart, give the feeling that this is a figurative war of words intensified by the fear of vulnerability and allowing oneself to be hurt by another.

This is gospel for the vagabonds,Ne'er-do-wells and insufferable bastardsConfessing their apostasiesLed away by imperfect impostors

Once again, the lyrics serve as a call to action to those who have been looked down upon (names like "ne'er-do-wells" and "insufferable bastards" are not usually self-granted, after all). An apostasy is an abandonment of previous loyalty, usually meant in a religious sense. The imagery of these lines paints a picture of an outcast seeking guidance.

Don’t try to sleep through the end of the worldAnd bury me alive'Cause I won’t give up without a fight

The act of "sleeping through the end of the world" could be interpreted as trying to ignore one's problems and responsibilities, while the one being buried alive is the one who is trying to help the other person. In these lines, the speaker professes that he will not give up on the other, no matter what it may take.
Now excuse me while I go cry.