Tears

This blog is about two songs.

The first song is by The Streets, which is the performing name of British Hip Hop artist Mike Skinner who has garnered critical acclaim for his artistic storytelling ability. The first song I heard by Skinner, Dry Your Eyes, is an absolutely heart wrenching story about a romantic breakup. But the song I want to tell you about is Never Went To Church. It’s a song that Skinner sings to his deceased father.

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Never Went To Church

Two great European narcotics,
Alcohol and Christianity,
I know which one I prefer

We never went to church,
Just get on with work and sometimes things’ll hurt,
But it’s hit me since you left us,
And it’s so hard not to search.

If you were still about,
I’d ask you what I’m supposed to do now,
I just get a bit scared,
Every now,
Hope I made you proud.

On your birthday when mom passed the forks and spoons,
I put my head on the table I was so distraught with you,
You tidied your things into the bin,
The more poorly you grew,
So there’s nothing of yours to hold or to talk to.

You put your hand up and interrupt the conversation with a, but..
People say I interrupt people with the same look.
Sometimes I think so hard I can’t remember how your face looked,
Started reading about dreams in your favourite book.
I panic and pace when I can’t see the right thing to do.
You’d be scratching your head through the best advice you knew.
And I feel sad I can’t hear you reciting it through,
I miss you dad, but I’ve got nothing to remind me of you

We never went to church,
Just get on with work and sometimes things’ll hurt,
But it’s hit me since you left us,
And it’s so hard not to search.

I needed a break when your book about dreams was taken,
I needed to pray or see a priest that day,
I needed to leave this trade and just heave it away.
But I cleaned up my place like you so I could see things straight.

I never cared about God when life was sailin’ in the calm,
So I said I’d get my head down and I’d deal with the ache in my heart,
And for that if God exists I’d reckon he’d pay me regard,
Mom says me and you are the same from the start.

I guess than you did leave me something to remind me of you,
Every time I interrupt someone like you used to,
When I do something like you you’ll be on my mind or through,
‘Cause I forgot you left me behind to remind me of you.

We never went to church,
Just get on with work and sometimes things’ll hurt,
But it’s hit me since you left us,
And it’s so hard not to search.

But you you still tell me how you didn’t know what to do even now,
And then I’m not so scared somehow,
‘Cause I know that you’d be proud.

I got a good one for you dad,
I’m gonna see a priest, a Rabbi and a Protestant clergyman,
You always said I should hedge my bets.

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Sigh

This song brought tears to my eyes. I hope it brought tears to your eyes. I just played it for Peri and it brought tears to her eyes.

I can’t tell you how much I wish I could have a conversation with Mike Skinner.

The second song is Tears of the Saints by Leeland from their new album Sound of Melodies. One of my ORU disciples told me about this song today after reading my previous blog, Demons. (Thank you, Nathan.) I bought the song from iTunes a couple of hours ago and I’ve listened to it ten times. Let it speak to you.

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Tears Of The Saints

There are many prodigal sons
On our city streets they run
Searching for shelter
There are homes broken down
People’s hopes have fallen to the ground
From failures

This is an emergency!

There are tears from the saints
For the lost and unsaved
We’re crying for them come back home
We’re crying for them come back home
And all your children will stretch out their hands
And pick up the crippled man
Father, we will lead them home
Father, we will lead them home

There are schools full of hatred
Even churches have forsaken
Love and mercy
May we see this generation
In it’s state of desperation
For Your glory

This is an emergency!

Sinner, reach out your hands!
Children in Christ you stand!
Sinner, reach out your hands!
Children in Christ you stand!

And all Your children will stretch out their hands
And pick up the crippled man
Father, we will lead them home
Father, we will lead them home

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Yes.

Let’s shed some tears for the lost…and then go to work and lead them home.

Amen.

Admittedly a song is meant to be heard and not just read. Interestingly, Never Went To Church and Tears Of The Saints go together musically as well as spiritually. Actually there’s a third song to make this a trilogy: Philosophia by The Guggenheim Grotto which I did a blog June 5.

If you have iTunes, spend three dollars and buy these three songs and listen to them in this order:

1. Philosophia by The Guggenheim Grotto
2. Never Went To Church by The Streets
3. Tears Of The Saints by Leeland

Listen to this little three song playlist until the tears come to your eyes.

God, don’t let us be dry-eyed saints.

BZ