I have loved this since it first came out. I find it interesting that it has at least three biblical references.
1) "streets are paved with gold" a reference to heaven or a perfect place
2) "call my name" salvation in both Judaism and in Christianity relate to calling upon the name of the LORD though this would involve many differing interpretations
3) "these waters turn to blood" phrase goes back to the plagues that Moses gave to the Egyptians...this involved showing The God of Israel was more powerful than the Egyptians gods.
After these three biblical illustrations you have the paradox of
1) very positive things which include the "streets paved with gold", hospitality, light, and the invitation to call "my name"
2) the very negative things that involve blood, mud, confusions
Yet in both scenes there is the common biblical theme of "you can call my name."
In the end the song. Gives comfort to both good times and bad times. You can always call us name and he hears you.
This is an Arthur Lee song but Brian McClean later converted to Christianity. This song is a lot like Dylan's early lyrics where he referred to biblical motifs to get this point across. In the end it is a song of comfort for us in good or bad times.
I have loved this since it first came out. I find it interesting that it has at least three biblical references. 1) "streets are paved with gold" a reference to heaven or a perfect place 2) "call my name" salvation in both Judaism and in Christianity relate to calling upon the name of the LORD though this would involve many differing interpretations 3) "these waters turn to blood" phrase goes back to the plagues that Moses gave to the Egyptians...this involved showing The God of Israel was more powerful than the Egyptians gods.
After these three biblical illustrations you have the paradox of 1) very positive things which include the "streets paved with gold", hospitality, light, and the invitation to call "my name" 2) the very negative things that involve blood, mud, confusions
Yet in both scenes there is the common biblical theme of "you can call my name."
In the end the song. Gives comfort to both good times and bad times. You can always call us name and he hears you.
This is an Arthur Lee song but Brian McClean later converted to Christianity. This song is a lot like Dylan's early lyrics where he referred to biblical motifs to get this point across. In the end it is a song of comfort for us in good or bad times.
F. Christopher Anderson