Mumford and Sons. So if you didn't know already, they are some pretty cool cats. Not only is their music rockin' in my opinion, but their lyrics actually have some depth - unlike many popular musical talents these days (but that's a whole other discussion).
Anyways, the most recent display of brilliance: their new album - namely the song Below My Feet. Why you might ask? Well, let's just say they've caught on to our amazing S-LC jargon and mentioned service AND learning in a song. They are just that cool. No, but really. I recommend that if you haven't already, you should cue up itunes, pandora, or whatever musical download site is hip nowadays and have yourself a little listen.
Below you will find a selection of the lyrics as well as some killer reflections (none of which I take credit for since I take them from a discussion I had with some S-LC co-habitants).
peace, love, and pandora,
Emily
Below My Feet lyricsYou were cold as the blood through your bones
And the light which led us from our chosen homes
Oh, I was lost.
So now I sleep
Sleep the hours that I don't weep
And all I knew was steeped in blackened holes
Oh, I was lost
Keep the earth below my feet
For all my sweat, my blood runs weak
Let me learn from where I have been
Keep my eyes to serve
My hands to learn
And the light which led us from our chosen homes
Oh, I was lost.
So now I sleep
Sleep the hours that I don't weep
And all I knew was steeped in blackened holes
Oh, I was lost
Keep the earth below my feet
For all my sweat, my blood runs weak
Let me learn from where I have been
Keep my eyes to serve
My hands to learn
Well I was still
But I was under your spell
But I was told by Jesus
All was well
So all must be well
Just give me time
You know your desires and mine
So wrap my flesh in ivy and in twine
For I must be well
Some Thoughts:
- the musical tone in this song is natural and mellow (versus electronic) as well as light and upbeat (not dark, but rather optimistic)
- verse 1 talks about moving out of darkness and stepping into the light and how having been in a black hole, stuck inside a house made the author feel lost. What does this represent for the value of getting off the couch and into the community?
- the chorus talks of reassurance - 'i was told by Jesus all was well' - and how it therefore, 'must be well'. Is there a connection between this phrasing and the song 'it is well with my soul'? How do we cling to this promise of reassurance even when we don't feel well?
- 'keep the earth below my feet' - is this talking about how we stay grounded in Christ? Does it relate to the kingdom-building work we are called to do as co-workers with God and agents of renewal in a fallen world?
- 'let me learn from where i've been' - LEARN! from my past? from the school I go to? from the countries I've visited? from the community I live in?
- what could the switch from the typically 'hands to serve and eyes to learn' to the unexpected 'eyes to serve and lands to learn' be challenging us to do?
- how DO we use our 'eyes to serve' and 'hands to learn'?
- Calvin's motto seems embedded in here with the idea of offering not only hands, but also hearts/thoughts/willingness to learn
