The King Beetle...(more mewithoutYou discussion)

It's what the people want..........more mewithoutYou discussions (you know who you two are)

While spending 6-8 hours a day studying for my summer Biblical Greek class, I had plenty of time to listen to music. Of course, I listened to the new mewithoutYou album about 20 times. The song "The King Beetle on the Coconut Estate" has repeatedly caught my ear. Not only is it a great song musically, but the story is incredible. Here's a couple thoughts:

1. The whole scenario of a beetle colony seeking to figure out this "great light" is amazing. It's like we (the listener) are viewing the whole situation from a divine perspective. Us listeners know what the "great light" is. It's fire of course. We understand it and know what it is like. If the fire is a metaphor for God, then this story must be portrayed through the lens of the divine.

2. The first beetle who attempts to figure out what the "great light" is gives us a glimpse into what happens when we try to quantify God in finite, mathematical, or otherwise human terms. This professor tries to understand God through academia, but ends up with "neither a light nor a heat in his words". In his studying and quantifying, he lost his passion.

3. The militant beetle who tries next to figure out the "great light" has an equally difficult time. He attempts to conquer the fire with bravery and violence. But this is obviously not how we come to know the "great light".

4. The climax of the song comes when the Beetle King is "utterly changed into fire". He explains that our true father is "the life within all that you see." He is the provider, sustainer, and in order to know him, we must fly "headlong into the blazing unknown."

Beautiful.

Here's the full song lyrics:

As the Moon rose and the hour grew late, the day help on a Coconut estate raked up the dry leaves that fell dead from the Trees, which they burned in a pile by the lake.

The Beetle King summoned his men, and from the top of the Rhododendron stem: Calling all volunteers who can carry back here, the Great Mystery's been lit once again.

One Beetle emerged from the crowd in a fashionable abdomen shroud, said:
I'm a Professor, you see, that's no mystery to me...
I'll be back soon, successful and proud. But when the Beetle Professor returned he crawled on all six, as his wings had been burned, and described to the finest detail all he'd learned.
There was neither a light nor a heat in his words.

The deeply dissatisfied King climbed the same stem to announce the same thing, but in his second appeal sought to sweeten the deal with a silver Padparadscha ring.

The Lieutenant stepped out from the line as he lassoed his thorax with twine, thinking: I'm stronger and braver and I'll earn the King's favor.
One day all he has will be mine!
But for all the Lieutenant's conceit he, too, returned singed and admitting defeat: I had no choice, please believe, but retreat...
It was bright as the sun, but with ten times the heat!
And it cracked like the thunder and bloodshot my eyes, though smothered with sticks it advanced undeterred.
Carelessly cast an ash cloud to the sky, my Lord, like a flock of dark, vanishing birds.

The Beetle King slammed down his fist: Your flowery description's no better than his!
We sent for the Great Light and you bring us this?
We didn't ask what it seems like, we asked what it IS!

His Majesty's hour at last has drawn nigh!
The elegant Queen took her leave from his side, without understanding but without asking why, gathered their Kids to come bid their goodbyes.

And the father explained: You've been somewhat deceived...
We've all called me your dad, but your True Dad's not me.
I lay next to your mom and your forms were conceived, your Father is the Life within all that you see.
He fills up the ponds as He empties the clouds, holds without hands and He speaks without sounds, provides us with the Cow's waste and coconuts to eat, giving one that nice salt-taste and the other a sweet.
Sends the black carriage the day Death shows its face, thinning our numbers with Kindness and Grace.
And just as a Flower and its Fragrance are one so must each of you and your Father become.
Now distribute my scepter, my crown and my throne and all we've known as 'wealth' to the poor and alone...
Without further hesitation, without looking back home, the King flew headlong into the blazing unknown!

And as the Smoke King curled higher and higher, the troops, flying loops 'round the telephone wires, they said: Our Beloved's not dead, but His Highness instead has been utterly changed into Fire!!!

Why not be utterly changed into Fire?...

Oh Blog, It's Been A While

Well, I haven't posted anything on this blog for months. I have a good excuse: 1st, I wanted to leave my band's music video at the top of the page for a while so people would watch it. Now that I'm not in the band anymore, I feel ok pushing it down the page. 2nd, I have been preparing to move to Chicago. Now that I'm here, it's time to ramp up the blogging.

I've got a thought for those of you who love analyzing lyrics (you know who you are). I have been listening to mewithoutYou's new album It's All Crazy, It's All False, It's All A Dream, It's Alright and the closing line from the song "A Stick, A Carrot & String" really got me thinking. Here it goes: "The snake who held the world, a stick, a carrot, and a string, was crushed beneath the foot of your not wanting anything."

This line, in the context of the whole song, helps me understand how Jesus' actions defeated Satan's temptation to have earthly things. Jesus defeated evil by extending grace to us. I've got more thoughts on this, but it's time to sign off. Later!


Addition: 8/3/09

Here's the full lyrics for the song:

the horse's hay beneath his head
our Lord was born to a manger bed
that all whose wells run dry
could drink of his supply

to keep him warm, the sheep drew near
so grateful for His coming here
come with news of grace
come to take my place
the donkey whispered in his ear
"child, in 30-some-odd years
you'll ride someone who looks like me
untriumphantly"

the cardinals warbled a joyful song
he'll make right what man made wrong
bringing low the hills
that the valleys might be filled

then "child", asked the birds
"well, aren't they lovely words we sing?"
the tiny baby layed there
without saying anything

at a distance stood a mangy goat
with the crooked teeth and a matted coat
weary eyes and worn
chipped and twisted horns

thinking "maybe I'll make friends someday
with the cows and the hens in the rambouillet
but for now, I'll keep away
I've got nothing smart to say"

there's a sign on the barn
in the cabbage town
"when the rain picks up
and the sun goes down
sinners, come inside
with no money, come and buy

no clever talk, nor a gift to bring
requires our lowly, lovely king
come now empty handed, you don't need anything"

and the night was cool
and clear as glass
with the sneaking snake in the garden grass
deep cried out to deep
the disciples fast asleep

and the snake perked up
when he heard You ask
"if you're willing that
this cup might pass
we could find our way back home
maybe start a family all our own"

"but does not the Father guide the Son?
not my will, but yours be done.
what else here to do?
what else me, but You?"

and the snake who'd held the world
a stick, a carrot and a string
was crushed beneath the foot
of your not wanting anything

Troubadour Music Video!

¡Troubadour! Show - Feb 28

Come see my band, ¡Troubadour!, on Feb. 28!

Portland Pictures

Sarah and I just got back from a weekend trip to Portland, Oregon. We went with a couple friends for a fun weekend and a preview of Western Seminary. Here are a few photos:

The Willamette River in downtown:


Downtown:


MAX Light Rail Station:


Powell's City of Books:


Western's Classrooms:


Chapel:


The view from Western's front porch:

Show Pictures

For all you who couldn't be at the show on Friday night, here are some pics: