Thread: Songs that encapsulate your theology/faith position Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.
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Posted by Snags (# 15351) on
:
This is an idle thought that has cross-fertilised between private musings on where I'm at with faith/theology, things on 8th Day/Faith-free, and the lyrical content of the songs I often have to lead in church.
It struck me last night that, despite not being a huge U2 fan, one of the songs that probably most closely aligns with my general inner voice and take on the world is "God Part II" ( lyric link to save the ears of Hosts who may hate U2 ).
It's certainly not the alpha and the omega of my beliefs, nor the song I most relate to in the whole wide world, but there's a hell of a lot of resonance with the outworking of all the twists, turns, struggles and angst over detail.
Which got me to wondering: what, if any songs, wrap up a significant amount of stuff for other Shippies? Artistic merit very much a secondary consideration.
Posted by Albertus (# 13356) on
:
"Sit down" by James:
quote:
Those who feel the breath of sadness
Sit down next to me
Those who find they're touched by madness
Sit down next to me
Those who find themselves ridiculous
Sit down next to me
For me, this is a lot of what the Eucharist and church more widely is about.
Posted by Bob Two-Owls (# 9680) on
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I Don't Know by Ozzy
quote:
People look to me and say
Is the end near, when is the final day?
What's the future of mankind?
How do I know, I got left behind
Everyone goes through changes
Looking to find the truth
Don't look at me for answers
Don't ask me
I don't know
Posted by Moo (# 107) on
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Two lines from an Advent hymn.
For thou art our salvation, Lord,
Our refuge, and our great reward.
Moo
Posted by Sipech (# 16870) on
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I quite like this from the American christian ska punk band, Five Iron Frenzy:
quote:
When I was young, the smallest trick of light,
Could catch my eye,
Then life was new and every new day,
I thought that I could fly.
I believed in what I hoped for,
And I hoped for things unseen,
I had wings and dreams could soar,
I just don't feel like flying anymore...
[Extract shortened to avoid copyright problems. You'll probably want to google for the rest. Thanks, Ariel, Heaven Host.]
[ 05. March 2015, 11:35: Message edited by: Ariel ]
Posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider (# 76) on
:
Side 2 of Aqualung
People what have you done?
Locked him in his golden cage.
Made him bend to your religion
Him resurrected from the grave
.
.
.
The bloody Church of England --
in chains of history --
requests your earthly presence at
the vicarage for tea.
how do you dare tell me that I'm my Father's son
when that was just an accident of Birth.
I'd rather look around me -- compose a better song
`cos that's the honest measure of my worth.
Posted by Adam. (# 4991) on
:
I'm not sure if it's my whole theology, but Lazlo Bane's Superman (better known to most as "the theme from Scrubs) names well a call I struggle to keep before my eyes and the hope that grounds and enables my response to it:
But I can't do this all on my own
No I can't do this all on my own
I know that I'm no Superman
I'm no Superman, I'm no Superman
Someday we'll be together
I'm no Superman
Posted by Stetson (# 9597) on
:
Okay, as theology, it's pretty basic, and it doesn't really hit great heights as poetry either("Life is so much better, whenever truth is sung"). But it's had a hold on me ever since I woke up to it on the radio over thirty years ago.
I think my mind might have been in a more susceptible state as a result of just having woken up, but the song hasn't lost its power over the years.
All Things Come From God
And I believe that, too.
Posted by Twilight (# 2832) on
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Farther along we'll know all about it
farther along we'll understand why.
Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine,
We'll understand it all by and by.
Best version; Dolly, Emmylou and Linda on the Trio album.
Posted by Josephine (# 3899) on
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For me, it would be Justinian's Hymn. It's sung in every Divine Liturgy in the Orthodox Church, and has been since the time of Ss. Justinian and Theodora.
quote:
Only-Begotten Son and Immortal Word of God,
Who for our salvation didst will to be incarnate of the holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary;
Who without change didst become man and was crucified;
Who art one of the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit:
O Christ our God, trampling down death by death, save us!
Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on
:
Apart from "OM"?
Probably Timothy Rees': quote:
God is Love: and he enfoldeth
All the world in one embrace;
With unfailing grasp he holdeth
Every child of every race.
And when human hearts are breaking
Under sorrow's iron rod,
Then they find that selfsame aching
Deep within the heart of God.
Posted by Rev per Minute (# 69) on
:
quote:
Originally posted by Sipech:
I quite like this from the American christian ska punk band, Five Iron Frenzy:
(my emphasis)
Is that a description or a random group of adjectives (plus noun)? ![[Confused]](confused.gif)
Posted by Albertus (# 13356) on
:
quote:
Originally posted by Zappa:
Apart from "OM"?
Probably Timothy Rees': quote:
God is Love: and he enfoldeth
All the world in one embrace;
With unfailing grasp he holdeth
Every child of every race.
And when human hearts are breaking
Under sorrow's iron rod,
Then they find that selfsame aching
Deep within the heart of God.
Oh yes- and the next verse:
quote:
God is love, and though with blindness
Sin afflicts the souls of men
God's eternal lovingkindness
Holds and guides them even then
Sin and death and Hell can never
O'er us final triumph gain
God is love and love forever
Through the Universe must reign
When I go to Llandaff Cathedral I pay my respects at his grave, on the basis of that hymn alone.
Posted by Ophicleide16 (# 16344) on
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From Mary Poppins (Sherman brothers)- 'Feed the Birds'
Posted by Full Circle (# 15398) on
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"The silence of eternity interpreted by love,
interpreted by love"
By an American Quaker poet, Hymn writer: Whittier
Posted by Sipech (# 16870) on
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quote:
Originally posted by Rev per Minute:
quote:
Originally posted by Sipech:
I quite like this from the American christian ska punk band, Five Iron Frenzy:
(my emphasis)
Is that a description or a random group of adjectives (plus noun)?
A description. They're quite entertaining. Not everyone's cup of tea, for sure, but then who is?
Posted by Latchkey Kid (# 12444) on
:
quote:
Originally posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider:
Side 2 of Aqualung
And from Wind Up
[i]....
When I was young and they packed me off to school
and taught me how not to play the game,
I didn't mind if they groomed me for success,
or if they said that I was a fool.
So I left there in the morning
with their God tucked underneath my arm --
their half-assed smiles and the book of rules.
So I asked this God a question
and by way of firm reply,
He said -- I'm not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays.
[Extract shortened for copyright reasons. You may like to google for the rest. Thanks, Ariel, Heaven Host.]
[ 05. March 2015, 11:37: Message edited by: Ariel ]
Posted by Ariel (# 58) on
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General reminder about copyright. Please don't post huge slabs of verse, 4-6 lines and a link will do.
Thanks
Ariel, Heaven Host.
Posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider (# 76) on
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Mr Al Stewart manages it on occasion as well:
A Man for All Seasons
You try to accept what the fates are unfolding
While some say they're sure where the blame should be falling
Some call on Jehovah; some cry out to Allah
Some wait for the boats that still row to Valhalla
You look out for maybe a chance of forestalling
But too soon it's over and done
Or the whole of Gethsemane Again, particularly:
Oh I dodged the collection box choirboy and out
To the streets where the wind shook my hair with a shout
And the dusty-faced daisies were blowing about so freely
And Christ in the ruins was wandering again
As he walked with the beggars and talked to the lame
And danced with the children and sailors who came at his call
( http://alstewart.com/publicfiles/LYRICS_gethsemaneagain.htm )
[ 05. March 2015, 11:46: Message edited by: Karl: Liberal Backslider ]
Posted by the famous rachel (# 1258) on
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On "Faithfree" we've been discussing quite a lot about a picture of God who is rather alien to our understanding, and that's an issue I struggle with. In that context, I can think of two songs which touch on how I feel about all this:
One of Us by Joan Osborne - in this I particularly like:
If God had a face, what would it look like?
And would you want to see
If seeing meant that you would have to believe
In things like Heaven and in Jesus and the saints
And all the prophets?
Come down Jehovah by Chris Wood. Here I particularly like:
Come down, come down from your mountain, Jehovah,
Come down and be with us here.
Heaven and hell and the life ever after,
It's such a beguiling idea.
But our spell on this earth is much richer, Jehovah,
Richer than you'll ever know.
Both of these actually make better sense sung rather than as lyrics - a lot of the meaning in the originals is in the tone of voice, I guess. However, I am quoting lyrics here for ease of reading and hosting. (I an posting from a computer without working sound just currently...)
Rachel.
Posted by Paul. (# 37) on
:
I could easily quote most of Tonio K's song book but here's just a couple:
quote:
like a river, it will fall until it's free
like a river, from the mountain tops
always searching for the sea
love will find you
it's as sure as gravity
Gravity
Or the equally meaningful (to me):
quote:
futt futt futt
Merzsuite
Posted by Paul. (# 37) on
:
quote:
Originally posted by the famous rachel:
One of Us by Joan Osborne
Yes! I once wrote blog post on the now defunct St. Pixels website about that song and how Jesus ought to be the "one of us" of the song but somehow doesn't feel that way.
Posted by Paul. (# 37) on
:
quote:
Originally posted by Albertus:
"Sit down" by James:
The line in that that speaks to me, is:
quote:
If I hadn't seen such riches I could live with being poor
which is how I feel about the spotty nature of faith and the glimpses I get of something more.
Posted by Jemima the 9th (# 15106) on
:
quote:
Originally posted by Sipech:
quote:
Originally posted by Rev per Minute:
quote:
Originally posted by Sipech:
I quite like this from the American christian ska punk band, Five Iron Frenzy:
(my emphasis)
Is that a description or a random group of adjectives (plus noun)?
A description. They're quite entertaining. Not everyone's cup of tea, for sure, but then who is?
I'd never heard of them, and I rather like them. They remind me a little bit of Rocket From the Crypt, whom I love. So thanks for the introduction!
As for me, Nick Cave (of course) Into my arms:
"I don’t believe in an interventionist God"
It's a beautiful song, I know it inside out and backwards, and yet the third verse makes me cry every time I hear it.
"But I believe in Love
And I know that you do too
And I believe in some kind of path
That we can walk down, me and you"
Entire lyrics here: http://nickcave.com/lyrics/nick-cave-bad-seeds/boatmans-call/arms/
Posted by Stetson (# 9597) on
:
quote:
Originally posted by Paul.:
quote:
Originally posted by the famous rachel:
One of Us by Joan Osborne
Yes! I once wrote blog post on the now defunct St. Pixels website about that song and how Jesus ought to be the "one of us" of the song but somehow doesn't feel that way.
The writer of that song seemed completely oblivious to the idea of the Incarnation.
More interesting was the much earlier New Approcah Needed, in which Kingsley Amis accepts the idea of the Incarnation, but basically just shrugs his shoulders at it.
Posted by Hilda of Whitby (# 7341) on
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Bargain, by Pete Townsend, from the album 'Who's Next' (a masterpiece, IMO).
Most people think this is a love song, and so it is--but to me, it's a love song to God. The lyrics have a far deeper resonance when you look at them in that way.
Posted by Sparrow (# 2458) on
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"From a Distance" by Bette Midler:
http://www.metrolyrics.com/from-a-distance-lyrics-bette-midler.html
especially these lines:
From a distance you look like my friend
Even though we are at war
From a distance I just cannot comprehend
What all this fighting for ....
Oh, God is watching us, God is watching
God is watching us from a distance.
Posted by Tree Bee (# 4033) on
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Love is the Answer by England Dan and John Ford Coley may be hippy dippy but it speaks to me.
It's a bit like a proverb as it expresses the difficulties of living interspersed with joy.
The chorus encapsulates my faith and feels like a hymn.
Posted by no prophet's flag is set so... (# 15560) on
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Wow. I can only say that some of the choices are at the opposite end of the spectrum for me. Bette Middler (both that song and generally) is not at all for me!
I will submit Bruce Cockburn's Creation Dream
quote:
...You were dancing
I saw you dancing
Throwing your arms toward the sky
Fingers opening
Like flares
Stars were shooting everywhere
Lines of power
Bursting outward
Along the channels of your song...
There is more in earth and heaven that I can imagine. (edit: and more to code too)
[ 05. March 2015, 16:08: Message edited by: no prophet's flag is set so... ]
Posted by Snags (# 15351) on
:
quote:
Originally posted by Stetson:
quote:
Originally posted by Paul.:
quote:
Originally posted by the famous rachel:
One of Us by Joan Osborne
Yes! I once wrote blog post on the now defunct St. Pixels website about that song and how Jesus ought to be the "one of us" of the song but somehow doesn't feel that way.
The writer of that song seemed completely oblivious to the idea of the Incarnation.
More interesting was the much earlier New Approcah Needed, in which Kingsley Amis accepts the idea of the Incarnation, but basically just shrugs his shoulders at it.
Yet One Of Us performed by Martyn Joseph, especially live, is a powerful thing.
I quite like the Michael Marshall book, too, but that's very different.
Posted by cosmic dance (# 14025) on
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For me its the second verse of the communion hymn which starts "And now O Father, mindful of the love...
verse 2:
Look Father, look on his anointed face,
And only look on us as found in him.
Look not on our misusings of thy grace,
Our prayer so languid and our faith so dim.
For lo, between our sins and their reward,
We set the passion of thy Son, our Lord.
Posted by Eutychus (# 3081) on
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Especially for pastors on bad days (Of Montreal, Gronlandic Edit):
quote:
the church is filled with losers, psycho or confused
I just want to hold the divine in mind
I had this as my sig for a while.
Posted by Galilit (# 16470) on
:
"Kookaburra sits in the ol' gum tree
Merry merry King of the Bush is he-ee
Laugh kookaburra laugh kookaburra
Gay your life must be"
Posted by the famous rachel (# 1258) on
:
quote:
Originally posted by Snags:
quote:
Originally posted by Stetson:
quote:
Originally posted by Paul.:
quote:
Originally posted by the famous rachel:
One of Us by Joan Osborne
Yes! I once wrote blog post on the now defunct St. Pixels website about that song and how Jesus ought to be the "one of us" of the song but somehow doesn't feel that way.
The writer of that song seemed completely oblivious to the idea of the Incarnation.
More interesting was the much earlier New Approcah Needed, in which Kingsley Amis accepts the idea of the Incarnation, but basically just shrugs his shoulders at it.
Yet One Of Us performed by Martyn Joseph, especially live, is a powerful thing.
I think you read the song differently, if (like me) you assume that the writer/singer is fully aware of the concept of the incarnation. For me, from there it can go two ways:
Either - the concept of God as "one of us" demands a response from us and this song reminds us of the incarnation and of the demand this places on us. Essentially, this calls us towards the Christian faith.
Or - the concept of God as "one of us" is seen as unreal (although possibly desirable), despite the supposed existence of Jesus as God incarnate - because we don't really see Jesus as one of us - perhaps for the reasons that the Kingsley Amis poem suggests. Essentially, this pushes us away from the Christian faith.
These two seem somewhat exclusive of one another, but actually some people probably hold the two ideas in tension.
Interestingly, a brief google has revealed that Joan Osborne, who released the song originally, is a lapsed catholic, so presumably was aware of the incarnation when she recorded this. However, the song was actually written by someone else. Weirdly, a reviewer at the time of it's release is quoted on Wikipedia as calling it "a simple, direct statement of faith", whereas I see it as anything but. I think it is the apparent simplicity of it, contrasted with the available double meaning which attracts me.
Best wishes,
Rachel.
Posted by Teilhard (# 16342) on
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"Dust in the Wind" -- by Kansas
"Hang On" -- by the Little River band
"I Bind Unto Myself Today" -- ancient hymn
Posted by Snags (# 15351) on
:
the famous rachel:
quote:
I think you read the song differently, if (like me) you assume that the writer/singer is fully aware of the concept of the incarnation. For me, from there it can go two ways: <snip>
I've always liked the ambiguity of it, and have always assumed that was written in quite a knowing way. It seems to contain a strange mix of lament and challenge, both to the established church in making God distant, and to those who take the "give me proof" line for not actually wanting the proof when push comes to shove.
I've always heard it with a silent, knowing, almost keening undertone of "He was/is, and yet in our own ways we all still mist the point".
Which may well say more about me than Joan Osborne (or Eric Bazilian - thanks for the pointer, hadn't realised she didn't write it. And of course Bazilian via the Hooters gave us Satellite, which is a good knife-twister at the tele-evanglist culture of the 80s, and All You Zombies. Which makes me all the more convinced he knew what he was writing).
Posted by Paul. (# 37) on
:
quote:
Originally posted by Snags:
I quite like the Michael Marshall book, too, but that's very different.
[pedantry]One of Us was actually a Michael Marshall Smith book. (same author, different pen name)[/pedantry]
Posted by ExclamationMark (# 14715) on
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"In Christ alone"
Posted by ExclamationMark (# 14715) on
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"Logical Song" Supertramp
But then they send me away
To teach me how to be sensible
Logical, responsible, practical
And then they showed me a world
Where I could be so dependable
Clinical, intellectual, cynical
There are times when all the world's asleep
The questions run too deep for such a simple mind
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned?
I know it sounds absurd please tell me who I am
Posted by Snags (# 15351) on
:
quote:
Originally posted by Paul.:
quote:
Originally posted by Snags:
I quite like the Michael Marshall book, too, but that's very different.
[pedantry]One of Us was actually a Michael Marshall Smith book. (same author, different pen name)[/pedantry]
I know, I was on the phone, I couldn't be arsed with the extra characters ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Posted by ThunderBunk (# 15579) on
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Dancing with Christ
Sorry about the youtube link, but the lyrics are different from what seems to be the traditional version, and to my mind infinitely preferable.
Posted by The5thMary (# 12953) on
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There are so many U2 songs that resonate with me, lyrically. Sure, many times I get sick of Bono's ridiculous pronouncements (saying Patti Smith was a goddess was one of the main ones) but when he drops all the b.s. and is "in it" (in the Spirit?) he writes some spiritual stuff that leaves me shivering. "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" is right up there with the shivers. A lot of U2's songs could be applied just to women or humans that they love but also to God. And a feminine God a lot of the time, I think.
@U2
Posted by The5thMary (# 12953) on
:
quote:
Originally posted by ExclamationMark:
"Logical Song" Supertramp
But then they send me away
To teach me how to be sensible
Logical, responsible, practical
And then they showed me a world
Where I could be so dependable
Clinical, intellectual, cynical
There are times when all the world's asleep
The questions run too deep for such a simple mind
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned?
I know it sounds absurd please tell me who I am
Yes! This. I've loved Supertramp since "Breakfast In America". This song and "Take The Long Way Home" always makes me cry, probably because both came out around '79 when I was twelve and my mother had just died. Anyway...
Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on
:
quote:
Originally posted by cosmic dance:
For me its the second verse of the communion hymn which starts "And now O Father, mindful of the love...
verse 2:
Look Father, look on his anointed face,
And only look on us as found in him.
Look not on our misusings of thy grace,
Our prayer so languid and our faith so dim.
For lo, between our sins and their reward,
We set the passion of thy Son, our Lord.
Oooh yes .. that would have been my next choice
Posted by The5thMary (# 12953) on
:
Another one that is right this minute comforting me to no end is Supertramp's "Lord Is It Mine?"
www.metrolyrics.com
Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on
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How have we got this far without any Dylan? One of my favourite's is from Summer Days
I'm standing by God's river, my soul is beginning to shake
I'm standing by God's river, mt soul is beginning to shake.
I'm counting on you love, to give me a break.
Posted by Aravis (# 13824) on
:
In this one of many possible worlds
All for the best, or some bizarre test?
It is what it is - and forever
Time is still the infinite jest...
The measure of a life
Is a measure of love and respect,
So hard to earn, so easily burned;
In the fullness of time
A garden to nurture and protect.
The treasure of a life
Is the treasure of love and respect,
The way you live, the gifts that you give,
In the fullness of time
A garden to nurture and protect...
Neil Peart 2013
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on
:
There is no song that encapsulates my theology - it would be a tedious song if it did. There are many songs - including a number of those above - that reflect some aspect of what I believe.
However, I am currently on a Stevie Nicks love-in so I will quote a couple of lines from "Sara" (which is such an awesome song):
"Drowning in a sea of love, where everyone would love to drown" - seems to me like a good description of being lost in God, the fear, the dread, the death and yet life involved.
"When you build you house, call me home" - there is something about the fact that other people show me God more than anything else, so when someone else has found a place they call home, I want to visit, and be with them, not suggest they find me in my home.
Posted by Teilhard (# 16342) on
:
quote:
Originally posted by Schroedinger's cat:
There is no song that encapsulates my theology - it would be a tedious song if it did. There are many songs - including a number of those above - that reflect some aspect of what I believe.
However, I am currently on a Stevie Nicks love-in so I will quote a couple of lines from "Sara" (which is such an awesome song):
"Drowning in a sea of love, where everyone would love to drown" - seems to me like a good description of being lost in God, the fear, the dread, the death and yet life involved.
"When you build you house, call me home" - there is something about the fact that other people show me God more than anything else, so when someone else has found a place they call home, I want to visit, and be with them, not suggest they find me in my home.
Yes !!! I also hold up Christine McVie's wonderful song, "Over My Head" … (much more interesting than the kids' campfire song, "Oh, How I love Jesus" …)
Posted by Fr Weber (# 13472) on
:
quote:
Originally posted by Hilda of Whitby:
Bargain, by Pete Townsend, from the album 'Who's Next' (a masterpiece, IMO).
Most people think this is a love song, and so it is--but to me, it's a love song to God. The lyrics have a far deeper resonance when you look at them in that way.
In the same vein, the third verse of "Who Are You" jumps from the first two verses' recounting of a rough night out to address the Almighty thus :
I know there's a place you walked
Where love falls from the trees
My heart is like a broken cup
I only feel right on my knees
I spit out like a sewer hole
Yet still receive your kiss
How can I measure up to anyone now
After such a love as this?
[ 09. March 2015, 19:33: Message edited by: Fr Weber ]
Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on
:
Some of these fit my current beliefs, and others helped me in previous stages, and all have helped with spiritual feelings/support:
--"Morning Has Broken", lyrics by Eleanor Farjeon, music the Cat Stevens version and sung by him.
--"Lord Of The Dance".
--Ditto to "Feed The Birds" *with the visuals from that scene in the film*. Gave me some of my strongest, earliest religious feelings. (I was maybe 5 or 6, I think.)
--"Kyrie", performed by Mister Mister.
--"Sanctus Kyrie", from the film "Jonathan Livingston Seagull".
--Jennifer Berezan's album "Returning".
--"Blow, Gabriel, Blow", by Cole Porter. Used in a great scene in the Porter bio-pic, "De-Lovely".
--"All Creatures Of Our God And King", a hymn based on a prayer of St. Francis.
--"Fly Away With Me". That site is for Jamie Owens-Collins' version of it. I think what I heard, way back in the day, may have been sung by Honeytree, but I can't find it and I don't know who wrote it. But the lyrics are the ones I know.
--"Let It Be", by the Beatles.
and, on days when I'm sick of religious wrangling
--"Imagine", by John Lennon.
Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on
:
Re "One Of Us":
This was used as the theme for the TV show, "Joan Of Arcadia", and--there--it was most definitely about God being real.
The show followed Joan, a high schooler, as she started getting visits from God, in all sorts of guises: IIRC, some were a child, a cafeteria worker, homeless person. She'd just come across them in the course of her life, and God would talk to her via them. I don't remember for sure whether God simply took those forms, or spoke through actual people. Really, really good. Unfortunately, it was canceled just as it took an intriguing turn: she met her opposite number, a teenage boy who was being visited by the other side.
Posted by venbede (# 16669) on
:
Karl posted something that encapsulated an aspect of the C of E he didn't like.
Funnily enough, (karl and I not having that much in common) I'd sort of agree with him, but the poem that encapsulates everything I'm suspicious of in MOTR establishment C of E (and the two thing go together however much Ken, rest his soul, denied it) is John Betjeman's In Westminster Abbey
http://allpoetry.com/poem/8493441-In-Westminster-Abbey-by-Sir-John-Betjeman
Posted by nobody but me (# 18084) on
:
Congratulations on a fab thread. There are tons of songs that have been theologically significant to me whether they were intended to or not and in more or less significant ways. (Enough of a caveat?!) The first that sprung to mind after Brother Sister Let Me Serve You was Move Any Mountain by The Shamen.
Posted by nobody but me (# 18084) on
:
Oh and when in that happy place of utter despair over mans's inhumanity to man (and unusually desiring the existence of a bad-ass God) the Man in Black aka Johnny Cash says it for me in Run On For a Long Time.....
Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on
:
I fear my choice may be thought rather frivolous but I get great comfort from this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCZCv98XKFs) when life gets more than usually trying.
There are bad times just around the corner
(Edited for link)
[ 11. March 2015, 09:23: Message edited by: Firenze ]
Posted by jrw (# 18045) on
:
'I've seen this happen in other people's lives and now it's happening in mine'.
(The Smiths - That joke isn't funny anymore).
Posted by Albertus (# 13356) on
:
quote:
Originally posted by L'organist:
I fear my choice may be thought rather frivolous but I get great comfort from this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCZCv98XKFs) when life gets more than usually trying.
There are bad times just around the corner
(Edited for link)
Me too: and from Sail Away, especially in this arrangement. Used to laugh at that Harry Williams line about finding God in Noel Coward's songs but I now increasingly see what he meant- although actually I think that the ethic there is a noble classical pagan one rather than a Christian one. Still, there's an understanding and a fortitude and underneath it all very often a kindness there.
[ 13. March 2015, 10:48: Message edited by: Albertus ]
Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on
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I used to see Harry often as I was growing up, and I well remember him singing The Stately Homes of England.
Posted by Jack o' the Green (# 11091) on
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Friday Morning by Sidney Carter.
Julian of Norwich by Sidney Carter (on a good day).
Posted by Garasu (# 17152) on
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Alan Bell's Bread and fishes...
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on
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Another song that is one of my long-time favorites is Soul Asylum Runaway Train. The fact that it is a favorite suggests that the lyrics probably speak to me deeply, and so have a faith involvement.
I think this song reflects how I feel most of the time. I am running the wrong way down a one-way track, because the world, the church, everything is going the other way. But - unlike in the song - this is because I see things differently*.
The song is simple and yet brilliant. I never get tired of it.
*Not necessarily rightly, just that I so often see things in ways that are different to others. Sometimes, this is because I have a different grasp on the truth, sometimes it is because I'm an idiot.
Posted by Albertus (# 13356) on
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quote:
Originally posted by L'organist:
I used to see Harry often as I was growing up, and I well remember him singing The Stately Homes of England.
Wow. That's a real conversation stopper, in the best possible way.
Posted by Fool (# 18359) on
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Born to be Wild - Steppenwolf, Don't Fear the Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult.
Posted by passer (# 13329) on
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Yesterday I heard on the radio this track from Sufjan Stevens, which is due for release this month. The lyrics are typically enigmatic, as aficionados of Sufjan would expect, with the pervading sense of loss and lost which makes him (to me) so interesting. There's no shade in the shadow of the cross.
Posted by Sopralto (# 10245) on
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From This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) by the Talking heads, this single line:
"Never for money, always for love"
Those are the words I want engraved on my tombstone, if I should end up with one.
Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on
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Nice choice! ![[Cool]](cool.gif)
Anyone remember James Taylor? " shower the people you love with love..."
Posted by balaam (# 4543) on
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U2 - She moves in mysterious ways.
A great way of describing the Holy Spirit.
Posted by Lolly (# 13347) on
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Redemption Song - Bob Marley
Posted by Yerevan (# 10383) on
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Here Beneath the Cross:
Here beneath the cross; what love is this I see
How beautiful the sacrifice of Christ for me
How deep the healing wounds that pierced Your heart for mine
The blood that flows through history the sinner finds
Amazing love how can it be
That You my God would die for me...
...Here beneath the cross my glory I lay down
For I will sing of Jesus Christ and His renown
He has conquered death, the stone was rolled away
My God arose in victory and He reigns today
Here beneath the cross I'll rest for all my days
Buried with my Saviour then forever raised
Posted by ChastMastr (# 716) on
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Sometimes it's Kansas' "Carry on my Wayward Son."
Posted by The5thMary (# 12953) on
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quote:
Originally posted by balaam:
U2 - She moves in mysterious ways.
A great way of describing the Holy Spirit.
Yep! Completely! ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Posted by Beeswax Altar (# 11644) on
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The Hymnal 1982
Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on
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"Rocky Mountain High":
"Talk to God, and listen to the casual replyyyy..."
Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on
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quote:
Originally posted by ChastMastr:
Sometimes it's Kansas' "Carry on my Wayward Son."
YES!
Posted by Belle Ringer (# 13379) on
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When I first heard this song it stunned me. So much my own jumbled experience and confusion at the time. "Sunday morning very bright I read your book by colored light" It still goes deep in identification for back then.
Today? The songs I write some of which are a bit subversive as to church like my "I'm running off to church but never having any time for praying blues" (about church busyness and needing to stay home to connect with God and get life back on track).
Commercially known songs, I would need not one song but a collection, including "What a Wonderful World".
Posted by Teilhard (# 16342) on
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"Now the Green Blade Rises"
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