Secular music compatible with Christian world view

Or how about this one, a bit of a morality play in song:

One Tin Soldier (The Legend of Billy Jack)
by Lambert-Potter, sung by Coven

Listen, children, to a story
That was written long ago,
'Bout a kingdom on a mountain
And the valley-folk below.

On the mountain was a treasure
Buried deep beneath the stone,
And the valley-people swore
They'd have it for their very own.

Go ahead and hate your neighbor,
Go ahead and cheat a friend.
Do it in the name of Heaven,
You can justify it in the end.
There won't be any trumpets blowing
Come the judgement day,
On the bloody morning after....
One tin soldier rides away.

So the people of the valley
Sent a message up the hill,
Asking for the buried treasure,
Tons of gold for which they'd kill.

Came an answer from the kingdom,
"With our brothers we will share
All the secrets of our mountain,
All the riches buried there."

Go ahead and hate your neighbor,
Go ahead and cheat a friend.
Do it in the name of Heaven,
You can justify it in the end.
There won't be any trumpets blowing
Come the judgement day,
On the bloody morning after....
One tin soldier rides away.

Now the valley cried with anger,
"Mount your horses! Draw your sword!"
And they killed the mountain-people,
So they won their just reward.

Now they stood beside the treasure,
On the mountain, dark and red.
Turned the stone and looked beneath it...
"Peace on Earth" was all it said.

Go ahead and hate your neighbor,
Go ahead and cheat a friend.
Do it in the name of Heaven,
You can justify it in the end.
There won't be any trumpets blowing
Come the judgement day,
On the bloody morning after....
One tin soldier rides away.

Go ahead and hate your neighbor,
Go ahead and cheat a friend.
Do it in the name of Heaven,
You can justify it in the end.
There won't be any trumpets blowing
Come the judgement day,
On the bloody morning after....
One tin soldier rides away.

 

I don't think that's true in the case of the songs I've listed.

One is upbeat, telling about someone's response to the Gospel.

The other is hopeful. Longing, maybe a bit confused, but ultimately hopeful.

In the case of "My Love Will Follow You", I see that same relentless love of the shepherd who has left the 99 sheep to find the one that was lost.

In "Pack Up Your Sorrows", I see Jesus saying, "Come to Me, all who are heavy laden and I will give you rest".

I think the Van Morrison song is upbeat, too, in the way that it longs for the things of God.


Now Playing: Don Rich and the Buckaroos: Country Picking: The Don Rich Anthology

 

He Is Your Brother
Written by: Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus
Recorded by ABBA

Lead vocals: Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Frida

I was a fighter always looking for trouble
and my life was so empty
there was nothing left to live for
but then it happened one night
as I got into a fight
I could hear someone saying
as though he was praying: “ah –

Treat him well, he is your brother
you might need his help one day
we depend on one another
love him that’s the only way
on the road that we’re going
we all need words of comfort and compassion
treat him well, he is your brother
love him that’s the only way”

I was a woman never thinking of others
and my life was so lonely
didn’t care for anybody
but then I happened to meet
a begging man in the street
as I turned down his praying
I heard someone saying: “ah –

Treat him well, he is your brother
you might need his help one day
we depend on one another
love him that’s the only way
on the road that we’re going
we all need words of comfort and compassion
treat him well, he is your brother
love him that’s the only way”

 

Spirit In The Sky
Norman Greenbaum

When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that's the best
When I lay me down to die
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky
That's where I'm gonna go when I die
When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that's the best

Prepare yourself you know it's a must
Gotta have a friend in Jesus
So you know that when you die
He's gonna recommend you
To the spirit in the sky
Gonna recommend you
To the spirit in the sky
That's where you're gonna go when you die
When you die and they lay you to rest
You're gonna go to the place that's the best

Never been a sinner I never sinned
I got a friend in Jesus
So you know that when I die
He's gonna set me up with
The spirit in the sky
Oh set me up with the spirit in the sky
That's where I'm gonna go when I die
When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best
Go to the place that's the best

 

Thats a catchy tune, and makes a great ringtone, but I'm wondering what spiritual message is contained in this line

"Never been a sinner I never sinned"

Hopefully referring to God's view of Christ's righteousness when he looks on the redeemed, possible given the context of the song ie: I've got a friend in Jesus. Do you have any clue what the intention of Mr. Greenbaum was?

 

Chiquitita
Written by: Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus
Recorded by ABBA

Lead vocal: Agnetha

Chiquitita, tell me what’s wrong
you’re enchained by
your own sorrow
in your eyes
there is no hope for tomorrow
how I hate to see you like this
there is no way you can deny it
I can see that you’re
oh so sad, so quiet

Chiquitita, tell me the truth
I’m a shoulder you can cry on
your best friend
I’m the one you must rely on
you were always sure of yourself
now I see you’ve broken a feather
I hope we can
patch it up together

Chiquitita
you and I know
how the heartaches
come and they go
and the scars they’re leavin’
you’ll be dancin’ once again
and the pain will end
you will have no time for grievin’
Chiquitita
you and I cry
but the sun is still in the sky
and shining above you
let me hear you sing once more
like you did before
sing a new song
Chiquitita
try once more
like you did before
sing a new song
Chiquitita

So the walls came tumblin’ down
and your love’s a blown out candle
all is gone and it seems
too hard to handle
Chiquitita, tell me the truth
there is no way you can deny it
I see that you’re
oh so sad, so quiet

Chiquitita
you and I know
how the heartaches
come and they go
and the scars they’re leavin’
you’ll be dancin’ once again
and the pain will end
you will have no time for grievin’
Chiquitita
you and I cry
but the sun is still in the sky
and shining above you
let me hear you sing once more
like you did before
sing a new song
Chiquitita
try once more
like you did before
sing a new song
Chiquitita

 

Move On
Written by:
Benny Andersson, Stig Anderson & Björn Ulvaeus
Recorded by ABBA

Lead vocals: Björn, Agnetha

They say a restless body
can hide a peaceful soul
a voyager and a settler
they both have a distant goal
if I explore the heavens
or if I search inside
well – it really doesn’t matter
as long as I can tell myself
I’ve always tried

Like a roller in the ocean
life is motion
move on
like a wind that’s always blowing
life is flowing
move on
like the sunrise in the morning
life is dawning
move on
how I treasure every minute
being part of it
being in it
with the urge to move on

I’ve travelled every country
I’ve travelled in my mind
it seems we’re on a journey
a trip through space and time
and somewhere lies the answer
to all the questions why
what really makes the difference
between all dead
and living things
the will to stay alive

Like a roller in the ocean
life is motion
move on
like a wind that’s always blowing
life is flowing
move on
like the sunrise in the morning
life is dawning
move on
how I treasure every minute
being part of it
being in it
with the urge to move on

The morning breeze that ripples
the surface of the sea
the crying of the seagulls
that hover over me
I see it and I hear it
but how can I explain
the wonder of the moment
to be alive
to feel the sun
that follows every rain

Like a roller in the ocean
life is motion
move on
like a wind that’s always blowing
life is flowing
move on
like the sunrise in the morning
life is dawning
move on
how I treasure every minute
being part of it
being in it
with the urge to move on

 

Ace of Base has one or two Christian Members in their band and when they released their 1995 "The Bridge" one of them wrote this song...

Title: Ravine
Album: The Bridge- US version (CD)
Lyrics by: Jenny Berggren
Music by: Jenny Berggren
Publishing: Megasong Publ
Producer: T Ekman / P Adebtratt
Year: 1995
Lyrics:


Have you heard, have you heard – About this girl who was ripped up By her roots
Have you heard, what she learned? Like humility- you win when you lose
I have heard – I have learned The most horrifying nights have ends
I was hurt, I was lost In the dark I found the way to a friend


Chorus:
I am standing here in my ravine Once again I see a piece of the sky And my joy’ll never be denied ‘Cause I was meant to be here – The only place on earth Where you are near – where you are near

I was a flower so frail – And I let the trees grow wild around me Grew so high, hid the sky – Shaded everything I needed to see
Then one night, someone came Took a knife and ripped ripped me up by my roots
Tossed astray, far away In my darkest night I started to pray I am standing…

Bridge:
Why do you, why do you ask Why I’m not blaming my God? I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you what – He was the only one there I am standing…

 

How Did You Find Me Here
by David Wilcox


The night I fell in sorrow
I knew I was alone
A dozen good-time friendships
But my heart is still unknown

I thought I saw your footsteps
In the sand along the shore
And I mumbled empty phrases
That sang so well before

Chorus
Now inches from the water
About to disappear
I feel you behind me
How did you find me here?

I couldn't reach for rescue
I hid myself from you
I couldn't stand to see me
From your point of view

I knew I'd disappoint you
If I showed to you this child
Who is crying out inside me
Lost in the wild

Chorus
Now inches from the water
About to disappear
I feel you behind me
How did you find me here?

I feel you behind me
Laughing in the water
Wash away the tears
I feel you behind me
How did you find me here?
I feel you behind me
But how did you find me here?



Now Playing: Loggins and Messina - "Sittin' In"

 

Abba strikes again with another spiritual great!

 

yes..in all men there is a need to worship. we see here those looking for a way to fill that need. where is the answer?

The world has none.

 

put a little love in your heart? where do we get this love? anywhere we want?

no..from Christ. This is the Bible message. The world tries to fill this with other love types..and it never works

 

here is abba answer for this feeling...

to stay alive. this is not a bible view...but the worlds

 

did van get saved? this show van running from God


i was saved out of the world of Rock.
i loved nearly all the bands of the 70s 80s. I know what rock is about. all say the same

sex drugs and song

this is all for self. anything to feeds our needs.

God ask us to worship HIM. forget self...take up your cross and follow me. this is the story of the Bible

rock is about self

look where each rock band ends...drugs..beer...sex. most big bands end up on drugs...or killing themselives. that is because the longing they look for is never feeled

read and study elc. all things in this world are worthless.

life is about serveing God

listen...i have done this..

i love the rock world like i said..
i had drink....no drugs...but drink
i had ladies...many...
i had money..i had 3 business at one time...rolling in the money. my income was over 250,000. i had 3 houses...drove BMWs...I went all over the world.

i had it made..i thought. the bad thing...i was saved.

yet all this stuff is worthless. if i could only get others to see this. do not waste your time going after things that feel your needs.

worship GOD....does God like KISS..because they wrote one song saying they were looking for God?...and turn around and write 20 songs saying how great sex and drinking is?

[ July 18, 2005, 11:31 AM: Message edited by: Jarthur001 ]

 

any idea what STYX means?

BTW...i liked STYX better then any other
tommy was the best...or i thought.

but...hey the story they tell is ROCK.

rock is sex drugs and song...SELF

 

Bono on 40

For Bono, the phrase "How long?" has a lot of meaning. As he said in his introduction to the book of Psalsms: "'40' became teh closing song at U2 shows and on hundreds of occasions, literally hundreds of thousands of people of every size and shape t-shirt have shouted back the refrain pinched from 'Psalm 6': 'How long (to sing this song.' I thought of it as a nagging question - pulling at the hem of an invisible deity whose presence we glimpse only when we act in love. How long...hunger? How long...hatred? How long until creation grows up and the chaos of its precocious, hell-bent adolescence has been discarded? I thought it odd that the vocalising of such questions could bring such comfort; to me too."
There is something bout this song that is so mellow and soothing.(((((( I am not a Christian myself))))), but this song has such a vibe and such an intent that I cannot help but be calmed by it. There isn't really a whole lot else that I can say about it myself, since it has a very specific meaning, as stated in the Psalms. If you ever get the chance to listen to the rendition they did at the Point Depot in Dublin on December 31, 1989, go for it. Bono has so much verve and feeling, the band is in perfect form, it is well worth it.


calming? is that the gospel? sound new age to me

 

Yes. Many years ago.

I don't see how. It shows the narrator longing to know God more.

Actually, that's not true. There are many artists who's songs don't advocate these things and many Christians in rock and roll.

Really?

So, what about all of the artists who don't do these things?

First of all, I don't know that they've written songs saying "how great drinking is".

Gene and Paul are notorious in the rock world for being outspokenly anti-drug and alcohol abuse.

In fact, it was the drug abuse by Peter and Ace that caused them to be thrown out of the band.

Second, having been a member of the KISS Army as a kid, I'm pretty familiar with their music and I don't know the song you're talking about, but I believe that God is honored anytime someone seeks Him. God may not approve of the other twenty songs, but I do believe that He will hear a sincere cry of the heart.


Now Playing: Los Straightjackets - "Sing Along With Los Straightjackets"

 

Yes. In Greek mythology, Styx is the river that runs through Hades.

There are two stories regarding the origin of the band's name.

The first is that it has no signifigance. The band just thought it was a neat name.

The second is that it represents the choices we must make between good and evil.

That's interesting, since their songs, "Snowblind", "Miss America", "Rockin' the Paradise" (or "Rockin' in Paradise", depending on which version you have), and many others are blatantly anti-drug and decry the rise of casual sex and the decaying moral state of our culture.


Now Playing: Beach Boys - "Shutdown Vol. 1"

 

So, what's "New Age" about that?

Now Playing: Roy Head - "Treat Her Right: The best of Roy Head"

 

This song was originally written for release to the Christian market.

When no Christian artists wanted to record it (I can't imagine why. It's a great song and was a huge hit later on.), Richard Marx changed a word here and a pronoun there and released it to the general market.

Take This Heart
by Richard Marx

I’ve been where you are before
No one understands it more
You fear every step you take
So sure that your heart will break

It’s not how the story ends
You’ll be back on your feet again

Baby, this time
There ain’t nothing gonna take this heart away
No more goodbyes
There ain’t nothing gonna take my heart away

The pain’s still alive in you
For what one man put you through
You say that we’re all the same
But I’m called by no other name

We all need a place to run
Won’t you let me be the one

Chorus

Don’t keep the dream in you locked outside your door
Just believe in this love
And don’t be afraid anymore

I need you to please be strong
I’ve waited for you too long

Chorus


Now Playing: Procol Harem – “Salty Dog”