Monday, March 8, 2010

Deacon's Redemption

As part of the fifty-year anniversary of our church, our contemporary church band is playing songs originally released in the 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's and 2000's. But they're not necessarily what you think - in the first two cases they're rewrites of two secular songs. It's the second of those of which I'm most proud. After all, how often do you hear Steely Dan in church?

While I write some instrumental music and have written a few songs, I often find inspiration inside the lyrics of other people's songs, too; inspiration that points me to "what might have been" in the story they tell, rather than what is presented.

There can be no doubt that Deacon Blues (from the Aja album) is a great song, from two perspectives: the music is top notch and the lyrics tell the story perfectly well. Coming from a Christian perspective, though, I was inspired to redeem the main character. There's enough darkness in the world today - drug addiction, alcohol abuse, sexual immorality - and not enough light. That's my perspective, anyway.

So, for our 1970's song, I rewrote the story into what might have been. We added this song to our last worship service in February, where it was well-received. In the future, I hope to add it to a Jazz and Blues Service I'm trying to finish.

Here are the lyrics:

Deacon's Redemption

This is the day
Our great God made for Man
And in His grace
There may I ever stand
Could it be only yesterday
Dark was the glass
A sinner,
No winner
Thank God that’s the past

I once was a fool
I lived for myself alone
Had no need of help,
I’d work it out on my own
So useless at life was I
Thought I’d take my own and die
Then Heaven stepped in
I realized all my sin, I

Learned to love the Lord and pray
Think about Him every day
Drink His word in like a song
It’s He who makes me strong
They got a name for the winners in the world
People who got no complaint
I used to be wearin’ those Deacon Blues,
Now just call me a saint (no complaint)

When I was young
The world seemed alive to me
I’d find success
I’d be what I want to be
Searched for a thing to know and love
But what did I find?
Drinking,
Not thinking
Took over my mind

I crawled through the depths
Not what a life should be
The love of the Lord
Finally broke through to me
I came to my senses then
In a world that has no end
I’ll never more roam
One day I’ll call Heaven home, I

Learned to love the Lord and pray
Think about Him every day
Drink His word in like a song
It’s He who makes me strong
They got a name for the winners in the world
People who got no complaint
I used to be wearin’ those Deacon Blues,
Now just call me a saint (no complaint)

When comes the night
And my time here is through
I’ll say I found success
I found a heart that’s true
Don’t cry when I leave this place
To gaze on His holy face
In Jesus I’m free
Free for eternity

Learned to love the Lord and pray
Think about Him every day
Drink His word in like a song
It’s He who makes me strong
They got a name for the winners in the world
People who got no complaint
I used to be wearin’ those Deacon Blues,
Now just call me a saint (no complaint)