Far out. A list of ten songs.. let alone a top ten of songs about God is probably one of the greater ‘High Fidelity’ challenges. However, after a night’s sleep on it, in no particular order…
1. Water Into Wine by Bruce Cockburn. First released in 1976 on ‘In The Falling Dark’. It’s an instrumental piece that is foundational in the Cockburn back catalogue. It’s a moment to lose yourself.
2. Roll Away by Dave Dobbyn. From the album ‘Accustomed to the Light’. Post his own spiritual awakening, Dobbyn writes “Roll Away is about rolling back anything that may be getting in the way with you. In my case pleading with God that obstacles be removed so that I can get on without them. It comes from a yearning that’s been around a while. This song brings me back to the hymns & solemn harmonies – simple harmony singing that the Latin masses had back when I was a small boy.”
3. Not Dark Yet by Bob Dylan. First released on the 1997 project ‘Time Out Of Mind’. This isn’t directly about God, and yet the words about humanity and the absence of a prayer, the falling darkness.. they invoke a sense of God in me. So it counts.
4. I was going to choose Hallelujah by Cohen, recorded by Kd Lang for the album “Hymns Of the 49th Parallel”, a tribute to Canadian songwriters. No doubt this tune will appear on several lists, but this version is covered in the emotions of the constant human/divine battle. Again, it’s not necessarily about God, but it’s still a God song. BUT… instead I am choosing from the same album Simple written by kd lang and David Pitch.
Flawless light in a darkening air Alone…and shining there Love will not elude you
Love is simple I worship this tenacity And the beautiful struggle we’re in Love will not elude us
Love is simple Be sure to know that
All in love Is ours And love, as a philosophy Is simple
I am calm in oblivion Calm, as I ever have been Love will not elude me Love is simple Be sure to know that All in love Is ours… Is ours…
That all in love Is ours And love, as philosophy Is simple… And ours…
5. St Matthew Passion by Bach.
6. There By The Grace Of God by Manic Street Preachers. Released in 2002 and a strange throwback to the eighties, there are glimpses of hard synth here. Musically it’s lacklustre but the lyrics and compassion are the gripper of this track and make it a worthy placing in this list.
7. ágætis byrjun by Sigur Ros. The title track of the 1999 release is the first track that I ever heard and it remains my favourite. I’ve used it as the soundtrack to a number of deep worship moments in my own private life as well as in corporate gatherings. Hence it’s become a God song.
8. Sky Flashings by Earthsuit, followed by You are Mine by rebirthed Mutemath. These are stunning tapestries of sound where lyrics, ideas and musical soundscape both point toward and draw the Spirit close to wherever you are.
10. The Lords Prayer performed by Mahalia Jackson, at the 1958 Newport Jazz festival and seen in the doco-film “Jazz on a Summers Day”. The first time and every time I see this, it brings tears to my eyes, even after all this time.
I’m passing on the tag now… to Sam, Danielle, Stu. Feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments. Also – I would have included Leeland’s Opposite Way too, but I ran out of numbers.
UPDATE: How could I neglect the Etnobofin… I’m a fool. In fact, I suspect that Richard’s list will be worth downloading for myself..
I am not what I ought to be. I am not what I want to be. I am not what I hope to be. But still, I am not what I used to be. And by the grace of God, I am what I am. John Newton
A Eulogy Of Hope There are a lot of funerals you go to, and leave feeling somewhat lifted. You leave having celebrated, remembered, laughed and farewelled. You share your grief and in that space the ‘knowingness’ of being with others comforts you.
I didn’t go to Tony’s funeral yesterday – I would have been a spectator to sorrows; but Kyla did and we shared and talked about it last night. Tony was so exceptional in every area of his life, with every person he encountered you hear the same stories and character retold.
The scary and terrifying thing about Tony’s life is that he did it so well. Lived so well and died so well, as Paul references. In 29 years he left a legacy of life that was already being celebrated before he died.
That is a challenge that rumbles in my spirit and shakes my bones. If I was to die now, what would the living legacy of my life be? I’m not satisfied with it all yet, although parts of it I think are good and worthy. Perhaps this new season will bring some hope of somehow living better with this life than I am now.
Song Of The Moment : Say It To Me Now Glen Hansard
I’m scratching at the surface now And I’m trying hard to work it out So much has gone misunderstood This mystery only leads to doubt And I didn’t understand When you reached out to take my hand And if you have something to say You’d better say it now
Cause this is what you’ve waited for Your chance to even up the score And as these shadows fall on me now I will somehow
Cause this is what you’ve waited for A chance to even up the score And as these shadows fall on me now I will somehow
Cause I’m picking up a message Lord And I’m closer than I’ve ever been before
So if you have something to say Say it to me now Say it to me now Say it to me now
Toward a Holistic Christian Spirituality By Wilkie Au, S.J
“Being on the Way Is a Way of Arriving” (Chp 8) “As in other human journeys, we reach the destination of our spiritual pilgrimage only gradually. However, there is a paradoxical nature to the spiritual sojourn. While alive, we will never fully reach our goal of union with God and others. Yet, being on the spiritual path is already a way of attaining that end. God is to be enjoyed not only at the end of the search, but all along the way. The Christmas story of the magi illustrates this truth. God was present to them not only when they joyfully arrived at the cave in Bethlehem, but also in the original stirrings that sent them off in search of the promised messiah. God’s presence was also experienced in a guiding star that directed them through dark nights and in a dream that warned them of Herod’s threat. They experienced God’s support, too, in the encouragement they gave each other throughout an uncharted search that took them miles from home. God is more present to us than we think.
Our search for union with God is lifelong, often a strenuous trek punctuated by dark passages. If we are to persevere, we must take courage in God’s abiding presence all along the way. Even as we are traveling toward God as destiny, Emmanuel is already with us in manifold ways.”
“All the persons of faith I know are sinners, doubters, uneven performers. We are secure not because we are sure of ourselves but because we trust that God is sure of us.”
This one true thing I can say of my life : that in it’s entirety, my life will always be a collection of great mistakes, small mercies, faithful dream-chasing and great comebacks.
In times of sorrow and confusion, I often return to the deep favourites. Mike Yaconelli is my companion through this current journey, not because he comforts my grief, although his words are full of compassion – but because he reassures me of a Grace that is radical, beyond boundaries and refuses to make me the broken, the poor & the hurting. Regardless of my sorrows and struggles – I am not the least, I am still the rich young ruler, I am still the servant with talents. I am not the least or the last and so whatever processing I want to do in this place – I refuse to allow my suffering to be over-exaggerated in the light of present and true suffering in this world.
Also, Yaconelli’s words have proof about them. A life of messiness lived out loud and lived well, so that he gave freedom out of his own self, also messy, to others.
Four Nonprinciples of Spiritual Growth
1. Spiritual Growth Encompasses a Lifetime of Decisions Nothing is over yet – in other words, growth doesn’t stop unless you stop choosing it. Sometimes your choices lead you forward, sideways, backwards.. all over. Deep, rich, textured layers.
2. Spiritual Growth Looks Different for Each of Us I have my own pathway. So nothing is necessarily what it appears and the journey to the destination is just as likely to be as unique and personal as the final destination is. All of it is likely to take some if not all, by surprise.
3. Give God 60% (Or Give God 100% of Whatever % You Currently Have) I’m not shaken in my faith, or questioning God in any of the current circumstances. I’m certainly wrestling with questions but not of Him. So today, maybe I only have a little bit to give, but I can give all of my little piece. I’m a widow with two coins.
4. Reluctant Growth Is Still Growth Growth isn’t made up of spiritual star charts or memory verses. No matter how many Scriptures you can quote or how invested in your understanding of the Talmud you are – growth is where God is crafting you, not solely the application of spiritual disciplines.
Time And Silence Time and silence have this thing they do together. They make a chasm that has no bottom to it. And there you are, standing right on the edge of it. Aware that any moment you may be falling and falling and falling, with no hope of recovery.
I can’t say too much yet, but suffice it to say that it in the current climate of sadness and struggle – there is the bright light and strange possibility of a brief sojourn back into a former career. More details after Thursday, but stay tuned in cos they were some fun old days.
UPDATE Things are progressing nicely. The first meeting went well. There’s some listening to be done and then a few more perfunctory things before there’s a contract on the table.
Tash McGill is a broadcaster, writer and strategist who works with people and organisations to solve problems and create transformation. She believes people are the most important thing and that stories are powerful ways of changing the world. You can find out more at tashmcgill.com or by visiting her LinkedIn profile.
