I love music. Music is often encouraging and inspiring for me.
I wanted to take some time and share some bands that have meant a lot to me in my life. One of those bands is Cool Hand Luke. They are a small, Christian rock/indy band. What I really like about them is their lyrics. Too many bands try to veil their Christian influence, but Cool Hand Luke throws it in your face. They make you think and show you what life is like as a Christian.
2 songs of theirs that really speak to me are "Heroes Will Be Heroes" on their Wake Up O Sleeper album and "The Balancing Act" on their The Balancing Act album. Here's a snippet of the lyrics for "Heroes Will Be Heroes":
Will you look at yourself now
swinging that sword around
you think there's something there
but your just fighting air
You can't do this alone.
No.
Hush little boy
don't say a word
don't you know Daddy's got this one
hey little boy
bury your sword
Jesus already won this one
The chorus of "Heroes Will Be Heroes" is about a boy who is swinging his sword around, trying to fight his own battles. But little does he know that his Father has already won the battle. It is extremely comforting to me as I often try to fight my own battles. I am reminded that God is the one fighting the battles, not me.
"The Balancing Act" is also a great song. These lyrics always hit me hard:
I've worked too hard for righteousness
to just lay down while you hand me this
and put my faith
in something you call grace
So your trying to earn what is far beyond you
So your trying to earn what is freely given
These lyrics are so powerful! I struggle with legalism. It is true that the way to worship God is living the way He wants us to, by following His commands. He calls us, commands us to follow Him. But I sometimes start to live as if I must earn the grace in salvation that God has given me through faith in Jesus Christ. Something I cannot earn, but has been given as a gift.
What bands/songs have meant something to you and why? I plan to keep this going for awhile and talk about other bands/songs that have meant a lot to me.
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I've been meaning to comment on this post ever since it debuted! I totally understand where you're coming from. I grew up having my theology shaped by/reflected by the O.C. Supertones. They were totally hardcore in all they did, and I always found it amazing that they could fit such deep lyrics and complex doctrine into some truly fantastic music.
ReplyDeleteJimmy, you totally inspired me to go back and listen to their albums again with an ear out for my favorite lyrics. Here are just a few of my favorite sound bytes:
In Between:
I stand between the saint and Sinner,
Chasing after holiness,
Close enough to grasp,
But still it's just beyond my reach.
Health & Wealth:
Health and wealth, we help ourselves,
And let them play the hand that they've been dealt.
We'll never understand the Christ they've felt,
If we keep on chasing health and wealth.
Who Could It Be:
'Cause in the heart of every man lies the knowledge of him
Displayed in creation but suppressed in sin
Don't believe me? Check out Romans one to three
Still disagree? You best check your theology!
Wilderness:
The rain falls on the righteous and the wicked
Mine is not to reason why this is
In this I rest, in this I find my refuge
That my thoughts and ways are not His
Louder than the mob:
My sin yells, "Crucify!", louder than the mob that day
My sin yells, "Crucify!", louder than any mouth
So, here's to awesome music and the ways in which it spurs us on to live our lives for Christ!