submissions
| Neil Diamond – Holly Holy Lyrics
| 9 years ago
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Thanks to Zen911 for the historical context. Coyote57, I'm reminded of the ecstasy of Sufi and other religious groups. Augustine stated, "All truth is God's truth." Another way of saying that is that there is an integration not just among the arts, but among all disciplines. American black slaves used religious terminology and songs in their fight for freedom. I once organized a college group for the integration of faith, learning and music. Someday I hope to write a book entitled _Faith on the Earth_, connecting faith with such concepts as integrity, delayed gratification, higher order thinking, and altruism. Richard Colling, in _Random Designer_, suggests that we are placed on the earth to evolve toward relationship. Pm me if you'd like a copy of my poem "Evolve Me, Jesus" and of the old gospel song "Jesus, Lover of My Soul." |
submissions
| Neil Diamond – Holly Holy Lyrics
| 12 years ago
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Thank you, Zen911, for your most informative comments, and thank you everybody for your input. My legs have been partially paralyzed for over 60 years--since I was a baby, and I love the line about the lame man gonna fly. I interpret the song from a romantic and a Christian perspective, and I see the two as compatible. Christian theology sees a husband-wife relationship between G_d and Israel in the Hebrew scriptures (Old Testament) and between Christ and his church in the Greek scriptures (New Testament). FWIW, the sun/Son play on words is used frequently, as is the reference to Jesus as the seed or offspring of Eve in Genesis 3 and the offspring of Mary in Luke 1-2. As to a Jew using Christian imagery, I would look to Neil's song "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show." I played piano for three years in an Assemblies of God church, so I'm very familiar with the religious version of tension, climax and release. Thanks for this great forum! |
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