There are millions of examples of the transforming beauty of music stretched over thousands of years and many cultures.
Where does one even begin?
Give a contemporary wonder?
Maybe go back to classical gems...
But, I've decided to first post a powerful early 70's sacred rocker which has come back to my consciousness, again and again over the years musing to me in crises, enlightening, encouraging:
"Old Man's Rubble" by the famous songwriter and repeated Grammy winner, Elliot B. Bannister.
The instrumentation, pacing, tempo, vocal, lyrics, and depth of spiritual reflection makes this rock song, not only memorable, but important for truth, and a powerful example of utter beauty and glory of song.
Old Man's Rubble
by Elliot B. Bannister
(sung by Amy Grant and band)
Bio: Elliot B. Bannister is a well known sacrd song writer, audio engineer, and leader in the music industry. He's won many music awards including 14 Grammy Awards, and is in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Old Man's Rubble
Are you living in an old man's rubble
Are you listenin' to the father of lies
Are you walking' with unnecessary burdens
Are you trying to take them upon yourself
If you are then you're living in bondage
And you know that's bad for your spiritual health
And are you trying to live by your emotions
Are you puttin' your faith in what you feel and see
Then you're living just to satisfy your passions
And you better be careful, 'cause you're being deceived
Are you living in an old man's rubble
Are you listenin' to the father of lies
If you are then you're headed for trouble
If you listen too long, you'll eventually die
Are you living in an old man's rubble
Are you listenin' to the father of lies
If you are then you're headed for trouble
If you listen too long, you'll eventually die
Are you puzzled by the way that you're behavin'
Do you wonder why you do the things you do
And are you troubled by your lack of resistance
Do you fell that something's got a hold on you
Well, deep within' you there's a spiritual battle
There's a voice of the darkness and the voice of the light
And just by listening you've made a decision
'Cause the voice you hear is gonna' win the fight
Are you living in an old man's rubble
Are you listenin' to the father of lies
If you are then you're headed for trouble
If you listen too long, you'll eventually die
If you're living as a new creation
If you're listening to the Father of light
Then you're living in a mighty fortress
And you're gonna' be clothed in power and might
But are you living in an old man's rubble
Are you listenin' to the father of lies
If you are then you're headed for trouble
If you listen too long, you'll eventually die
If you're living as a new creation
If you're listening to the Father of light
Then you're living in a mighty fortress
And you're gonna' be clothed in power and might
But are you living in an old man's rubble
Are you listenin' to the father of lies
If you are then you're headed for trouble
If you listen too long, you'll eventually die
But if you're living as a new creation
If you're listening to the Father of light
Then you're living in a mighty fortress
And you're gonna' be clothed in power and might
Written by Elliott B. Bannister • Copyright © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc
--
And from the classical past, a few strums of Johann Sebastian Bach:
https://youtu.be/WGpl1Utbqzw
Thankfully, very few still look at music as "vain" and destructive as did some early Friends such as Solomon Eccles, a former musician:
"Few if any of his works are extant since, when he became a Quaker, he burned all his books and compositions so as to distance himself from church music.
Believing music to be a sinful vanity, he initially sold the compositions and his instruments, before taking them back and burning them to prevent the purchaser falling into sin...and wrote the anti-music tract: "A Musick-Lector" (1667)
Wikipedia
How tragic.
My own encounter with music has been drastically the opposite!
My deepest encounter with music happened during worship at a Friends Meeting of Pacific Yearly Meeting years ago. I am still blessed by that transcendent experience--the most powerful spiritual experience I ever had at a Friends Meeting. At the time I was in deep despair, not shared with the members, yet a Friend stood up and began to sing extemporaneously a song whose spiritual lyrics brought healing to my inner self. (This wonder of music happened at Central Coast Friends Meeting, San Luis Obispo, California.)
I am so thankful for not only the beauty of music, but how this art often ministers Light and healing to those in need.
In the Light,
Daniel Wilcox
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