Aint it funny how the human soul, in its cry for uniqueness and meaning, constantly comes up with stuff that's maybe specifically unique in creation, but totally generic in its type. The soul of man cries out, has always cried out, and will always cry out- for grace.
The realm of music that I am personally familiar with is rock and roll, and rhythm and blues music. I have found many, many songs by some of the world's best-known musical artists where the ache for peace, love and contentment are the theme. George Harrison's song "Give Me Love, Give me love", the Rolling Stones monster hit of the 60's, "I can't get no satisfaction", show the cry of the human soul in a life that is quite replete with the world's finest, most expensive offerings.
Lyrics in rock music come from very innovative sources, but the world's oldest lyrics in a rock song come from the Book of Ecclesiastes. The song "Turn, turn, turn" by the Byrds was written as a war protest song ("a time for peace, I swear its not too late") but popularized the Book of Ecclesiastes and its timeless wisdom.
Music is the voice of its culture. If you want to know where the good spots are, where the aches are, listen to the music. Its expression is new, its technology is new, but its message is as old as the Book of Ecclesiastes. The creation will always need its creator, and the wiser portions of it will say so.
The cry for grace in the human soul is unique and timeless, but nothin new!
Tell me what you think, I'm just thinkin out loud!
Read more articles by Jim Williams or search for articles on the same topic or others.
