For those of you who don't know, my favorite band (by far) is Great Big Sea. I know and love almost all of their music, and I'm always so excited when I'm able to cross paths with them, and Sunday was no exception. And when the night was over, that concert will stick in my mind as probably the most memorable of all (Check out my Stereoactive page for the details). One of the lesser plus's of Sunday's show was actually in regards to a song that they didn't play. It may sound funny, but here's my story.
I'm a Christian. That means I love God, I desire to know Him better and to obey Him (although I fail misserably), and to surround myself with others who feel the same way. So, because of the impact music has on my life, it would be such a huge deal if my favourite band would also have a heart for God. Now, it may all sound silly, and there are pleanty of amazing Christain artists I could be listening to, but I am drawn to the style, sound and lyrics of GBS. And I know they love to sing a good drinking song and put on a great party. I don't drink, but I still get so caught up in the music and have such a great time. And I'm not complaining. But, on their last album, they included a song that made me shiver with discomfort and sadness. The song is called "Straight to Hell".
It's a first person perspective about how the singer sold his soul to the devil, so now may as well make the best of life before an eternity in Hell. I'm not going to get into my interpretation and theology in this blog about Hell, but because I believe in it, it pains me when someone important in my life says (even, especially, in a fun tone) that they are going there.
Now, before you scoff too much, understand that I sing and laugh at so many of their songs that you might think I wouldn't. For example "Scolding wife", a song about how the singer is so pained by his marriage and his wife's behaviour that he says, "if the devil would take her, I'd thank him for his pain...". To me, this is a lot different than saying "I have every expectation That my final prayers will go unheard And my veiled death bed confession Will not move the Mighty Lord..."
To make a long story short (too late?), I love to listen & laugh at things like "Scolding Wife", and Alan's "Jesus Saves" hockey shirt, but it's so hard to listen to someone I look up to tell the world that Jesus can't save him. I know his Mom agrees with me :p |
