“One of these days, pow! To the moon, Alice!” That’s a famous line from Jackie Gleason’s character, Ralph Cramden, in the old TV show, The Honeymooners. And thank goodness that show only lasted one season. But I didn’t bring it up to talk about Ralph or old TV shows.
I found some lyrics about goin’ to the moon.
And you won’t believe (or maybe you will) where I found ’em.
I did an online search and found some curious words to a “song” under the heading of contemporary Christian music lyrics. Of course, my idea of lyrics is much different than most pop stars these days. But I’ll set that aside, for now, and share just a couple of lines from the chorus of that “song.”
“I wanna go to the moon
Don’t leave so soon (don’t leave so soon)
How could I get through? (How could I get through?)”
I don’t have to share the next six lines to the chorus. Because they’re just a repeat of those three I just shared. But if you’re familiar with rapper, Kanye West, maybe you’ve heard him sing/say those words. I never have.
And here’s the thing.
What is it about those lyrics that would make anyone think they should go under the heading of contemporary Christian music? Because Christians don’t aspire to go to the moon. That’s incredibly short-sighted when compared to going to Heaven.
But maybe you think I’m being harsh and judgmental. Maybe you think, “Gosh, Tony. That’s just the chorus. The verses probably explain why the chorus says that.”
Yeah, you’d think so. Or hope so. But check out this verse. And see if it helps you understand why Kanye wants to make a lunar landing.
“Hmm, hmm, here we go strappin’, we up
Never forget all the memories
Sittin’, I sip out my cup
Thinkin’ I should be a better me
Truly I’m blessed from the start
So much to say in these melodies, oh
Stare at the sky, the moon singin’ sweet
Oh my God, such a sweet moment
Angels, they say I’m not ever weak, such a lonely moment
Heaven knows I might never sleep, trouble in my soul
Hey, I’ve been prayin’, life can be drainin’, oh
Hey, we were late, tryna keep haulin’ on
I’m ashamed, hated what I will see
And nobody knows, so I go”
OK, I know rappers aren’t bound by meter and diction. And they prefer unrhymed iambic pentameter. But isn’t the point of lyrics to convey a message that somebody besides the singer/sayer can understand?
But let’s say that’s not the point.
If Mr. West is “tryna” make a Christian point, shouldn’t there be actual Christian truth in there somewhere?
But there’s basically NO Christian truth in those words. “Thinkin’ I should be a better me.” But Jesus said no one is good but God. “Truly, I’m blessed from the start.” Well, yeah. Each person is blessed at birth. But every person sins and blots out that blessing. So, each person should find the humility to ask for God’s forgiveness.
“Angels, they say I’m not ever weak” is a weird one. Because, first, angels don’t converse with you. And, second, you ARE weak. You ARE dying. And there’s nothing you can do to keep that from happening. So, you need answers. You can’t just “Stare at the sky” or a sweet singin’ moon. You need the maker of the moon.
And that’s why it’s harmful to call lyrics, like Kanye wrote, Christian. They’re not.
And I pray that he’s not one of those to whom God will say, “I never knew you. Depart from me…”
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