I was first introduced to this song in the early 90’s by my friend Julie. Most Friday evenings in the summer of 1991, I would stay over at hers as I lived a few miles away from town. It was much more preferable than catching a taxi (or Joe Baxi as we liked to call them in Preston) home on my own.
She’d discovered the Paul Young version – he sang it at Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute at Wembley Stadium in 1988 – and she would play it as we got ready for bed. It was, in fact, a lullaby for a couple of twentysomethings for a while. Ah bless.
Pretty much around the same time, Crowded House became quite a popular band in the UK with the release of ‘Woodface’ and I did, in fact, see them live at St George’s Hall, Bradford in 1992. There was great joy of being able to sing along with the original writer at the top of my voice I can tell you.
I don’t know what it is about this song but it grabbed me straight away. Maybe it’s the simplicity for the heartbeat-like rhythm, or the mix of melancholy and optimism or the rich, poetic lyrics. For me, it has everything that I want from a song.
As I was walking the dog tonight, I was listening to it again and it struck me that it has Psalm-like qualities about it where song and story and prayer and poetry fuse. It captures struggle and challenge whilst seeking and offering comfort and hope. It knows that life is difficult, that things don’t go according to plan but while you have me by your side, you’ll be okay because it’s love that wins.
So have a read and have a listen to a 20th Century Psalm.
There is freedom within There is freedom without Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup There’s a battle ahead Many battles are lost But you’ll never see the end of the road While you’re travelling with me
Hey now, hey now Don’t dream it’s over Hey now, hey now When the world comes in They come, they come To build a wall between us We know they won’t win
Now I’m towing my car There’s a hole in the roof My possessions are causing me suspicion But there’s no proof In the paper today Tales of war and of waste But you turn right over to the TV page
Hey now, hey now Don’t dream it’s over Hey now, hey now When the world comes in They come, they come To build a wall between us We know they won’t win
Now I’m walking again To the beat of a drum And I’m counting the steps to the door of your heart Only shadows ahead Barely clearing the roof Get to know the feeling of liberation and release
Hey now, hey now Don’t dream it’s over Hey now, hey now When the world comes in They come, they come To build a wall between us You know they won’t win
Don’t let them win (Hey now, hey now) Hey now, hey now Hey now, hey now Don’t let them win (They come, they come) Don’t let them win (Hey now, hey now), yeah Hey now, hey now
Crowded House are still going strong – and are about to release a new album. Find out more from their website at https://www.crowdedhouse.com/
Here are two deeply spiritual men, multi-award winners, black and thoughtful. They both cross into a wide variety of musical styles. They can both present aggressive and meaty music. And they both make clear that they follow God.
Pharrell: “We’re followers. And we’re not following God. We’re following men.” He is highly critical of the political system of power and its injustices. He and Kirk Franklin collaborate. Williams has been interviewed on Franklin’s radio show discussing his approach to his faith “… on paper I’m a Christian but really I’m a Universalist,” said Williams. “Do I think that Christianity is the only way? No. I think the only route for everything is their connection to God … There’s religious dogma that gets involved, something for the greater good and sometimes for not so great reasons … But they give you a way, a vehicle to get to God.”
Pharrell Williams was brought up in a strong Pentecostal background. He’s been walking with God a long time.
Kirk Franklin was brought up in the Baptist tradition. He had a very troubled young life but eventually led the Georgia Mass Choir. Both men have walls full of musical distinctions and trophies; Grammys and so on. And yet, despite being huge artists, you may only be fleetingly aware of them.
They have many things in common, but two things stand out. They are men of faith. They are black.
For these two men not to be household names where the names of many a white artist of equal or lesser success and talent trip off the lips, let’s you know something is going on – you may have noticed that I just slipped in a Marvin Gaye reference there for fun; after all it is considered the premier album of the twentieth century.
Neither man conforms to a stereotype. They don’t shy away from social issues, but neither have an aggressive image. They both arrange their own material, are highly musically educated, they have a high control of their own product and image.
I’ve chosen two of their songs which show their positivity. Through all their music they have such a strong faith in goodness without naivety. ‘Happy’ was a huge international success and the video that ran with it is a complete joy. I’ve used it as people walk into church; they often look a little bemused. ‘I Smile’ was more of a big hit in the gospel community. Again, linked with its video it is guaranteed to make you feel better; I’ve used it twice in church.
These are lyrics that just grab you under the armpits, lift you out of the gutter. We have become so used, especially with white soft rock Christian bands to ‘being saved’ or hushed tones of thankfulness, or focusing on the sacrifice of Jesus that, as worthy as these things are, we forget the simple thing of being happy to be a Christian. We bypass and don’t mention the good feeling of happiness that is in our faith.
Black churches and gospel music, and contemporary Black Christian music, has always had a balance about the sheer pleasure that loving and recognising God at work gives us. And that translates into physically showing that our faith gives us a special kind of happiness.
Williams makes it clear:
It might seem crazy what I’m about to say Sunshine she’s here, you can take a break I’m a hot air balloon that can go to space With the air, like I don’t care baby by the way (come on)
Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth Because I’m happy Clap along if you know what happiness is to you Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do (hey)
And the video which encouraged people to send in their dance 24 hour celebration of happiness on YouTube reaffirmed the physicality of happiness.
Franklin tells you that part of the healing process is:
I smile, even though I hurt see I smile I know God is working so I smile Even though I’ve been here for a while I smile, smile It’s so hard to look up when you been down Sure would hate to see you give up now You look so much better when you smile
Both men know it can be hard, but they both know that inner joy, shown on the outside, makes a huge difference.
Williams:
Here come bad news talking this and that (yeah) Well, give me all you got, and don’t hold it back (yeah) Well, I should probably warn you, you’ll be just fine (yeah) No offense to you, don’t waste your time (Here’s why)
Because I’m happy
Franklin:
I dedicate this song to recession Depression and unemployment This song’s for you
Today’s a new day, but there is no sunshine Nothing but clouds, and it’s dark in my heart And it feels like a cold night Today’s a new day, where are my blue skies Where is the love and the joy that you promised me Tell me it’s alright
I almost gave up, but a power that I can’t explain Fell from heaven like a shower
I smile, even though I hurt see I smile I know God is working so I smile Even though I’ve been here for a while I smile, smile It’s so hard to look up when you been down Sure would hate to see you give up now You look so much better when you smile, so smile
You know the kind of Christians I listen to? You know the kind of Christians that most people want to listen to? You know the kind of faith that most people open up to?
It’s the Christians who are open about walking through the trials of their lives and yet remaining welcoming and, yes, happy…. And show it. There are a lot of smiling Christians around who show their joy and kindness in a smile, in word, in laughter and in welcoming body language. Unfortunately, and this can too often be among church leaders, there is a stiffness, a reserve, a dourness, a studied pomposity. They would die rather than risk a little silliness. Particularly for the very young and younger people in general, the first thing that gets you into a conversation is that someone is smiling.
Yes, life is hard, but…… it’s also happy.
Franklin, tells us what God wants:
See I just want you to be happy ‘Cause then you have to have something you haven’t been I want you to have joy ’cause can’t nobody Take that away from you I see you smile
I’ve been sitting with this song for months. Wondering why it made an impact on me and what it was about it that I found it hard to put down. All of a sudden I think I realise that this is a song that offers layer upon layer of stuff to me. A bit like a multi-tiered Black Forest Gateaux.
Firstly it is a most fabulous kitchen disco track. Just right for the tea breaks implanted in long zoom meetings. You can’t help but bounce around the house and shake off all that tension. Lose yourself in the energy of it and let the sound wash over you. Its refrain of reassurance growing and becoming stronger each time its sung.
I know you’re gonna be there when it breaks
I know we’re gonna be there when it breaks
We’re all gonna be there
Who wouldn’t want to sing and dance about being together again with people we have faith in or indeed having confidence that this thing will be over. Who wouldn’t want to sing of the confidence they have in a God of constancy.
Which may reveal something else about why I really like it.
It has certainty. It’s not about if, it’s about when. It’s not about maybes but definites.
It knows the storm(s) will pass and whatever comes after will be beautiful and alive and everybody will want to be a part of it. Just like the summer of 45 in Paris or when statues of oppression are torn down in every town.
Finally for me it’s a song about transformation.
It calls us to notice what we have and what we value.
To step up and face the reality.
To recognise it might take all our reserves
To kick in the door if we need to and make a change.
To act in solidarity.
As people of faith we often wonder what there is for us to notice about the people and situations we encounter in life. What we’re called to and what God requires of us.
Maybe we’re required to embrace the fact that life is a vibrant complex dance, twisting and turning to a relentless beat. Maybe we are called to notice what’s going on and stand up for changes that make things better. Maybe we are needed to stand in the middle of the chaos and for certain, for me, we’re called to be there when it breaks.
So go on sing at the top of your voice and join in the divine dance of reassurance and a call to action for this and every Friday ☺
Ten years ago a friend and I enjoyed a wee dram of single malt while listening to music. As we listened, we reflected on how good it was to share music and whisky! This idea grew. We invited some other friends to an evening with a few simple instructions; bring 2 pieces of music on a theme (the first night was simple ‘favourite tracks’), bring a favourite tipple and some food to share. This all took place in a Cheshire village called Moulton, so we gave the music night the title ‘Malt’n’Music’!
We have met many times since and even started to promote live music in the village (https://www.maltnmusic.co.uk). Last month we celebrated our 10th anniversary. We have been forced over the last year to meet on Zoom but we still bring a couple of tracks on a theme and our favourite drink – the food will have to wait until we can meet again in person!
Over the years Malt’n’Music has cost me a lot of money as I have bought numerous records of bands I have just been introduced to! (Yes! I still invest in music by buying CDs and Vinyl! I don’t rent music from the internet – that’s a rant for another blog!)
After our 10th Anniversary Meeting, I invested in an Idjut Boys album and was immediately struck by the refrain from Shine…
We’re in this together Make it forever This place, this time Your love and mine Let it shine
With these words sloshing around the forefront of my mind I passed a church noticeboard. Facing the main road, was a colourful poster depicting a cross made out of handprints and the message ‘His love is for everyone’. What a wonderful message to proclaim to all those who pass a church building. Surely no one can argue with the message! God’s love is for all.
So why, when I saw it, did I feel a sense of incompleteness?
…we’re in this together…
We are called not only to declare God’s love is for all but also to show that our love is for all too. I have witnessed and heard too many stories of churches and Christians who judge rather than love, love only their friends or people who are like them or allow racism, homophobia, sexism, bullying and other non-gospel behaviour to go unchecked.
…we are in this together…
We cannot hide behind the phrase ‘His love for everyone’ – our love must be for all too. As individual Christians, our lives – as Churches, our communities – must be overflowing in love. It is only half of the story to say God’s love is for all. A true witness to God’s love is when our own love is for all.
…make it forever…
God’s love is eternal – not talking about the afterlife but – for all time, from everlasting to everlasting. Our love can’t have a day off, take a rest or pick and choose. Our love is for all time.
…this place, this time, your love and mine…
We are called to love our communities, the places we live and worship in. God so loved the world that Jesus came and lived among us. We talk about following Christ, we cannot follow Christ from the safety of our pews. We are called to dwell among the communities we serve and to love all as Jesus did – even the tax collectors!
…let it shine…
The lyrics finish with the simple, yet triumphant, statement. Loving all people will speak volumes. Our love will shine and we won’t need words to convince people of the reality of God. When we’re in this together, declaring God’s love, and showing ours, for everyone, we proclaim the gospel.
Make it forever This place, this time Your love and mine Let it shine
As James puts it in chapter 2 of his epistle;
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill’, and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? 17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
One of the lovely things about lyrics and music is that you can change the pace or style of the music and it seems to completely change the mood and meaning.
One such song for me is the ever-popular ‘Take On Me’ by A-Ha. I first heard this acoustic version a few years ago – and to be quite honest, it’s the version that I much prefer.
Strip back the synths and guitars, slow the pace and ‘unplug’ it and, for me, it becomes reflective and thought-provoking.
It even takes me to Maundy Thursday in my imaginings. Who would have thought that Morten, Pal and Mags could transport me to such a pivotal moment in time – but they do.
I can’t help hearing tiny bits of narrative from the various people involved on the night and hours following Jesus’s arrest and trial.
Judas, Jesus, the disciples in Gethsemene, Peter, Pilate…
We’re talking away I don’t know what I’m to say. I’ll say it anyway
The Upper Room – chatter and food. Judas planning a fatal action. Jesus breaking bread and sharing wine.
Take on me Take me on
“Do this in remembrance of me.”
I’ll be gone In a day or two
“I tell you, I will never drink of this fruit of the wine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
So, needless to say I’m odds and ends I’ll be stumbling away
“All of them deserted him and fled”
Say after me It’s no better to be safe than sorry
‘”Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times’. And he went out and wept bitterly.
Oh, things that you say Is it a life or just to play my worries away?
“Pilate said to them, ‘Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?’”
Gethsemene
Friday.
Saturday.
Sunday. He is risen.
And beyond.
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
You’re shying away I’ll be coming for your love anyway
‘From A Distance’ is written by Julie Gold and I’ve got the version by Bette Midler (like the video accompanying this post)
I guess for me it’s about how from a distance things look so different – how we as humans prevent the peace that could be there if we co-existed in a harmonious way but that in all things God is present.
It’s a song I listen to when I run and walk. The words make me realise what a tiny cog I am in the wheels of life and how much I appreciate “being”.
“I’m all about accentuating awesomeness” – if I had a line that summed up my calling, it would probably be something like this one – encouraging people to notice and celebrate their awesomeness.
This is such a feel-good song with so many happy memories for me. Harry and Chris are a ‘comedy rap duo’ loved by my whole family from when we first heard/met them at Greenbelt. They always end their gigs with this song and so I have turned to many people in a variety of venues – friends and strangers alike – to tell them “you’re a flipping 10“.
In a world that often pits us against each other, and has us judge and rank people, I think it’s great for us all to tell each other that they could not be any better than they already are. But it’s not just about others – we’re encouraged to remember that we too are ’10’s’. How many of us when we look in a mirror, notice with delight that we are wonderfully made?
Most of us are brought up in competitive cultures where we’re more likely to be self-critical and look for flaws, as the advertisers want us to look and find ourselves lacking so that we feel compelled to spend money instead of smile at our reflection and marvel at how lovely we are.
“Well I’m going to start a revolution today when I look in the mirror and say ‘I’m a flipping 10′”
And what happens when we take our own confident belief in the amazing beings we are, and join with other wonderful human beings who also know that they are fully loved and loveable?
“Put them together, that’s 100%” Ah – to me that is indeed a wonderful world.
Find out more about Harry and Chris here: https://www.harryandchris.com/
At a recent Team Meeting, I shared that our family (well, the parents in it) have been deeply challenged, and yet strangely reassured, by a book and a film lately. The book is called ‘Blueprint’ by Robert Plomin and the film is called ‘Three Identical Strangers’ – and in their own different ways, they explore the ‘nature/nurture’ debate.
There is a tentative connection for us to Plomin’s book because his work is based on a 10-year long ‘Twins Study’ that members of our family were involved in. Twins involved were identical and non-identical; still with their birth families and separated from their birth families. As with any study like this, there are discrepancies and fallibilities but there is a great deal to ponder too.
There were some real revelations for us, both as parents but also as educators; for example, our personalities are much more genetically driven than originally thought; it’s how we engage with our environment that shapes us rather than how we are shaped by the environment; good parenting recognises the nature and personality of the child and enables it; and perhaps the most challenging thing to hear is that education (certainly as it currently delivered) has very little influence on development and ‘success’. If a parent did well at school, there’s overwhelming evidence that the child will too. The twins that were seperated from birth families clearly correlated with their birth parents rather than adoptive parents. How well we are taught and how much we try to ‘mould’ a child has very little impact. Good education systems would be all about responding to the interests, passions and the way a child learns.
Having been a long-time fan of the Barenaked Ladies, this song has crept back into my consciousness lately. It’s all about the labels and expectations we place on our children – even before they are born – and it resonates even more now.
We’ve got these chains Hanging ’round our necks People want to strangle us with them Before we take our first breath
It’s seems like we just can’t help ourselves in labelling and classifying people from the day they are born. We divide people into all kinds of groups which results in heirarchies and division and that, in turn, leads to conflict and antagonism. It’s completely bizarre that we do this and that it then guides and informs the way we interact and respond to each other.
This name is the hair shirt I wear
It’s not only bizarre – but tragic too. The reality is that beneath these labels and classifications we create are real, living, breathing people just like you. A unique human created in the image of God. By reducing people to descriptors, we are reducing God.
As well as this song, my ponderings also led me to revisit Psalm 139 – verses 13 & 14 in particular:
‘You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.’
We’re all unique, amazing creations that don’t deserve to be classified, graded and judged by others. Let’s work to create environments that enable each one of us to grow and flourish with the gifts that we have each been given.
There are some people whose opinion you should always trust when it comes to certain things… those people you know you can count on for restaurant choices, or book recommendations, or what to watch on TV.
My friend Sarah is one of those people when it comes to animation, and she pointed me towards “Hilda” on Netflix at the start of Season 2 by sharing this song.
Based on a series of Graphic Novels, Hilda is a fearless young girl who lives a life of adventure meeting danger and wonderful creatures head on in the company of her best friends Frida and David, and her Deer-fox called Twig.
This song was written and performed by Bella Ramsey, a young actress from Nottingham who voices Hilda in the TV show.
Since January, my kids (4 and nearly 7) have watched every episode multiple times and have relished the adventure discovering trolls and woffs and deer-foxes and giants and elves and rat-kings. My timid and apprehensive ‘nearly-seven-year-old’ even came down the stairs the other day dressed as his favourite character from the show, David.
David is one of those under-represented types in: He’s a boy who is nervous and apprehensive, and who finally ends up joining every adventure not to prove anything to anyone but purely because he knows that as long as Hilda and Frida are by his side, things will be ok. He knows fear, and respects fear, but he doesn’t let it stop him. My boy has discovered a kindred spirit!
The kids ploughed on without me, and I’m still playing catch-up to find out about the latest creatures they’re talking about, and wondering what a Nyssa is and where “Nowhere Space” might be, but I keep coming back to this song.
I think every listen I’ve picked out a different line and thought “That’s where I am today!” or “That’s who I want to be!” Or “That sums up my calling and purpose in a way I could never properly articulate!”
I wonder what you hear today?
Maybe you resonate with the mistakes, and yet know deep down you’re doing your best and that’s ok;
Maybe you’re wrestling with how you make things right;
Maybe you feel like a wanderer, or that you’re journeying through a wilderness (maybe a Lenten one… maybe a beautiful one… maybe a barren one…) and you’re trying to discover something… anything;
Maybe you’re just looking to befriend those you meet on the path of life;
Maybe you’ve reached the point of being willing to claim the adventure of life and are ready to set out no matter what you might find;
Maybe you’ve found contentment in the simple things like cucumber sandwiches and a nice hot cup of tea, in the people around you;
Maybe you’re terrified and need to know there’s someone by your side;
Maybe… Maybe… Maybe… The possibilities are endless in just one song, and the parable or analogy or resonance with our personal journeys as people of faith will be unique to each of us.
But in this season I’m personally claiming my faith as an adventure:
The world is beautiful and I don’t want it to pass me by, so I will help wherever I can. Life is an adventure and I will take you by the hand and show you what I see and understand. The world is mine to roam, so roam I will then go back home. This is the life, the life of an adventurer.
LYRICS:
My name is Hilda I don’t learn from my mistakes But I will do my best No matter it takes
It’s usually my fault But I try to make it right And I do Most of the time
I am a wanderer An honorary troll I roam the wilderness And befriend any soul Giants, Woff or Elf And everything between And the Hound, or Jellybean
This is the life The life of an adventurer This is the life The life of Hilda
Cucumber sandwiches And a nice hot cup of tea My mum, my friends and Twig That will do for me David and Frida are always by my side Even when they’re terrified
The world is beautiful And I don’t want it to pass me by So I will help wherever I can
Life is an adventure and I will take you by the hand And show you what I see and understand
The world is mine to roam So roam I will then go back home
This is the life The life of an adventurer This is the life The life of Hilda The life of Hilda
The Friday Fix 