Music connects . . . a time and place; memories sweet and sour; still images and moving pictures in our minds of people and relationships; idea, ideals, and disappointments; feelings to action; the desert and oasis of spirituality and faith; theology, belief, and ritual. No matter how you play it or hear it, music connects.
This month, our DRYG (Digital Regional Youth Group) will explore how music can connect people of all ages to ideas of God and the way of Jesus. Do you have a favorite hymn or praise song? What are the lyrics saying, about God, Jesus, living by faith, living in faith, salvation, or Christians?
I grew up with the hymnal and folk music whose lyrics were a kind of critic, inspiration, and mentor for the way people who claim Christian faith where to live. “Be Thou My Vision” has always been a favorite hymn as well as “Just a Closer Walk with Thee.” At summer camp, we sang and sang, “One Tin Soldier” right out of existence though the lyrics continue to be relevant.
I don’t listen to music that identifies solely as “Christian” or “religious” too often. What I’ve heard has never stirred broad connections for me to creation, or to God, or to Jesus, or to the journey of faith. I do enjoy the “Gospel Train” on the Bluegrass station on SiriusXM on Sunday mornings. It’s not my soteriology anymore, but the authenticity of the human condition and struggle to do what is right, because it is right, reverberates. “Sit Down with Jesus” is a good example. Maybe that’s what makes music “religious” for me. The authenticity of the prophetic reverb.
I hear it, authentic prophetic reverb, in secular music from time to time. It can connect (reconnect) me to God, Jesus, the practice of Christianity, or the way of Jesus?(1) Do you have a morning playlist or a morning soundtrack. Do you have a spiritual soundtrack? The Youtube links below are from my “spiritual” soundtrack.
https://youtu.be/EcjAeWWGr-s
Rush. “Closer to the Heart.” A Farewell to Kings, Mercury, 1977.
The Wailin Jennys. “One Voice”, Women of the Worlds, Putomayo Music, 2007.
U2. “One.” Achtung Baby, Island Records, 1992.
Pink Floyd. “Us and Them.” The Dark Side of the Moon, Harvest Records, 1973.
Bob Marley and the Wailers. “Redemption Song.” Uprising, Island Tuff Gong, 1980.
Carrie Newcomer. “You Can Do This Hard Thing.” The Beautiful Not Yet, Light Records, 2016.
Johnny Cash. “The Man in Blank.” The Man in Black, Columbia, 1971.
Note 1. I distinguish between the practice of Christianity and the way of Jesus. It is a post for another day to provide a fuller explanation.
Rather than send words into cyberspace everyday or even weekly for that matter, I’ve waited. The amount of opinion, news, entertainment, shouting, conspiracy theory, resources, video, music, good causes, hype, drivel, virtual community, politics and religion, it seems like every minute of every day has become the holiday family meal where one must be cautious about anything but the weather. Oh, wait. Climate change. My apologies.
I don’t know what you are reading. Here are a few things I’ve found interesting.
And now, to demonstrate the theatre of the macabre of President Trump’s Presidency, rallies, and governing alongside the GOP, here are the lyrics of John Fogerty’s “Fortunate Son” which is being played at the President’s campaign events. Click here to hear John Fogerty’s thoughts.
Some folks are born made to wave the flag Ooh, they’re red, white and blue And when the band plays “Hail To The Chief” Ooh, they point the cannon at you, Lord
It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no senator’s son, son It ain’t me, it ain’t me; I ain’t no fortunate one, no
Some folks are born silver spoon in hand Lord, don’t they help themselves, oh But when the taxman comes to the door Lord, the house looks like a rummage sale, yes
It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no senator’s son, son It ain’t me, it ain’t me; I ain’t no fortunate one, no
Yeah! Some folks inherit star spangled eyes Ooh, they send you down to war, Lord And when you ask them, “How much should we give?” Ooh, they only answer, “More! More! More!” Yo
It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no military son, son It ain’t me, it ain’t me; I ain’t no fortunate one, one
It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no fortunate one, no no no It ain’t me, it ain’t me, I ain’t no fortunate son, no no no
John Fogerty, “Fortunate Son.” Fantasy Records. November 2, 1969