I guess I’m feeling inspired, so this might be a daily e-mail this week. Another reason for not taking risks that came up in class was the inability to let go. Ever feel like you should be doing something else but couldn’t make the move because you couldn’t let go of something, a relationship, a certain lifestyle, a steady paycheck or your comfort zone?
Paul preached a sermon a couple of years ago about letting go, and the following song is the one the Cornerstone band played that day. It’s one of my all time favorites and to me the ultimate expression of someone trying to let go. Peter Gabriel has neither confirmed nor denied it, but those close to him said he wrote this song when he was deciding to leave Genesis. For those who don’t know, Peter Gabriel was the lead singer of Genesis before Phil Collins. The band was becoming successful and famous, but Peter always felt called to have a solo career. Solsbury Hill is the place where Peter would go to meditate. His friends called him crazy for leaving the band. Looks like the move worked out really well for him and the remaining members of Genesis. Just think, if he hadn’t left the band he might never have recorded “In Your Eyes.” If he hadn’t, what song would Lloyd Dobler have played on his jam box in Say Anything? Thankfully, we’ll never have to know.
Every time I have trouble letting go, I listen to this song. The lyrics (especially in the second verse) always hit me square in the chest.
Here are the lyrics to Solsbury Hill. Hope they inspire you like they have inspired me.
Climbing up on Solsbury Hill
I could see the city light
Wind was blowing, time stood still
Eagle flew out of the night
He was something to observe
Came in close, I heard a voice
Standing stretching every nerve
Had to listen had no choice
I did not believe the information
I just had to trust imagination
My heart going boom boom boom
“Son,” he said “Grab your things,
I’ve come to take you home.”
To keep in silence I resigned
My friends would think I was a nut
Turning water into wine
Open doors would soon be shut
So I went from day to day
Tho’ my life was in a rut
“Till I thought of what I’d say
Which connection I should cut
I was feeling part of the scenery
I walked right out of the machinery
My heart going boom boom boom
“Hey” he said “Grab your things
I’ve come to take you home.”
(Back home.)
When illusion spin her net
I’m never where I want to be
And liberty she pirouette
When I think that I am free
Watched by empty silhouettes
Who close their eyes but still can see
No one taught them etiquette
I will show another me
Today I don’t need a replacement
I’ll tell them what the smile on my face meant
My heart going boom boom boom
“Hey” I said “You can keep my things,
They’ve come to take me home.”
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