I actually thought of this last night. Tonight, couple of beers in after a hard day's night slog in the salt mines I decided to go ahead and do it.
I told you before that I do enjoy Country Gospel, even as a decidedly non-religious sort. Even if I don't share the religious ideas often expressed, I like the sentimental feelings and the hope that comes through many of the lyrics. And some of the songs rock, so to speak.
STRANGE INTERLUDE: Just as a small aside, I liked an idea expressed by Stephen King in The Stand, in which an atheist is hesitant to express his beliefs to an old, very religious woman: He says "I don't believe in God." She laughs at him and says "That's okay, He believes in you." Hey, I figure if it turns out there is a God, he's probably a cool dude like that and will smile benignly as He fries my ass for eternity in fire and brimstone.
Anyway, the last question in that last quiz was about a really pretty song that expresses some of these feelings well. As best as my meager memory serves, this is how it goes:
I saw a weary pilgrim in tattered garments clad
He was struggling up a mountain, it seemed that he was sad
His back was heavy laden, his strength was almost gone
But he shouted as he journeyed, "Deliverance* will come"
Then Palms of Victory, Crowns of Glory,
Palms of Victory I shall wear
I saw him in the evening, the sum was sinking low
He had overtopped the mountain and reached the vale below
But he kept pressing onward for the day was almost done
Still shouting as he journeyed, "Deliverance will come"
Then Palms of Victory, Crowns of Glory,
Palms of Victory I shall wear
At last he reached that city beyond the vale of sin
I saw the gates swing open, I saw him enter in
I saw a band of angels carry him unto the throne
Where he shouted out, "Hosanna! Deliverance has come!"
And Palms of Victory, Crowns of Glory,
Palms of Victory I shall wear
*No Ned Beatty jokes please; there are children present.
Posted by Ken S at December 10, 2007 06:49 PM | TrackBack (0) |The gospel-loving atheist confession reminds me if this bit of wisdom from Mark Cohn:
Now Muriel plays piano
Every Friday at the Hollywood
And they brought me down to see her
And they asked me if I would
Do a little number
So I sang with all my might
She said, "Tell me, are you a Christian, child?"
And I said, "Ma'am I am tonight!"
I have a button somewhere around here that says, "I just hope God grades on a curve."
Posted by: Laura(southernxyl) at December 11, 2007 06:05 PMHeh. Went by a crafter's store this evening. They had several stockings with various sayings sewn in. One read "Dear Santa, I can explain..."
Posted by: Ken S, Fifth String on the Banjo of Life at December 11, 2007 07:26 PMKen,
I may not agree with your vision of God 100%, but you definitely struck a chord. The song you picked definitely describes grace well. It reminded me of a song by a modern Christian musician, Steve Taylor, about the Christian experience, and our falibility as believers, and God's ultimate grace. Check out The Finish Line.
Posted by: Boy Named Sous at December 12, 2007 06:38 PMI like that, Sous.
Posted by: Ken S, Fifth String on the Banjo of Life at December 12, 2007 07:06 PM