Salvation

Devout Christians may feel the need to declare overt ownership of this song for Jesus. But I don't think Bernie or Elton were super fervent Christians when they wrote this Gospel Lite tune, long on feelings and short on doctrine. "The devil" is mentioned, but no particular frame of God is named. It could just as easily be a humanist-derived message as one coming from God. And that is just fine! The basic message is one of solidarity, caring for ourselves by caring for each other, and investing ourselves in the collective good will of a faith community.

This pop song is the product of a couple young Englishmen enjoying American gospel musical conventions and (probably) drawing on what they learned about American slavery in High School. It lacks the deep emotional authenticity that someone who had actually lived this life might have brought to the subject (think "Amazing Grace") because these guys grew up in reasonably comfortable circumstances in a reasonably civilized time. But it is still really good because they are musical geniuses.

Bernie nailed a simple, uncomplicated mission statement for morality and human emotional health. Basic Sermon of the Mount stuff. We've all got darkness inside that could drag us down. We need to find a way to transcend that. The great power of living a life of service to others i(the great Gospel theme) is that, in working to help others, we help ourselves. When groups of people all dedicate themselves to living like this then the distinction between helping others and helping ourselves becomes blurred. In the big picture there is really no difference between the two.

This song is chock-a-block full of great metaphorical imagery. Life as an ongoing pilgrimage down a long road that no one makes it all the way through on their own. How do we resist the darkness in our own minds? By keeping hope alive through faith, feeding the hungry children, helping the needy, and keep fueling our souls with Gospel music and the gospel ideas and faith upon which that tradition is based.

"What we need are willing hands." No one else is going to save our world and our lives for us- it is up to us.

"You must feel the sweat in your eyes." Labor builds character. The things we build with our own hands and our own sweat are worth more than the same products would be if someone just gave them to us. The experience of laboring together can transform us into better people. And we get to live in the world we create.

We have met the enemy and he is us. But "Salvation spreads the gospel round And frees you from yourself."

I have to say, my friends: These are words to live by.