When I heard this song for the first time more than thirty years ago, I was just getting into U2’s music. It hadn’t really spoken to me up until that time (mid-80’s) — I’d been more rooted in heavy metal, heavier rock music.
And then this one came along. I was hooked pretty quick. The simple riff and especially the words, they grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. The lyrics are modified slightly, but pretty well directly from Psalm 40. My faith had been well established around this same time, as I struggled through adolescence.
To this day, this very minute, this song bouyes me, lifts me up, urges me to persevere, and find strength in faith.
Yes sir, it sure does. This is…
“40”
I waited patiently for the Lord He inclined and heard my cry He brought me up out of the pit Out of the miry clay
I will sing, sing a new song I will sing, sing a new song
How long to sing this song How long to sing this song How long…how long…how long… How long…to sing this song
He set my feet upon a rock And made my footsteps firm Many will see Many will see and fear
I will sing, sing a new song I will sing, sing a new song I will sing, sing a new song I will sing, sing a new song
How long to sing this song How long to sing this song How long…how long…how long… How long…to sing this song
Writer(s): Clayton Adam, Mullen Laurence, Evans David, Hewson Paul David
A bonus second lyrics post today, another from RUSH, another tribute to Drummer and Lyricist, Neil Peart, who passed away last week.
These lyrics are from the sam period, same album that “The Big Money” was recorded. The words spoke to me in a special way at the time, when my sense of local and global was still forming. And the words still speak to me today.
Territories”
I see the Middle Kingdom between Heaven and Earth Like the Chinese call the country of their birth We all figure that our homes are set above Other people than the ones we know and love In every place with a name They play the same territorial game Hiding behind the lines Sending up warning signs
The whole wide world An endless universe Yet we keep looking through The eyeglass in reverse Don’t feed the people But we feed the machines Can’t really feel What international means In different circles, we keep holding our ground Indifferent circles, we keep spinning round and round
We see so many tribes overrun and undermined While their invaders dream of lands they’ve left behind Better people… better food… and better beer… Why move around the world when Eden was so near? The bosses get talking so tough And if that wasn’t evil enough We get the drunken and passionate pride Of the citizens along for the ride
They shoot without shame In the name of a piece of dirt For a change of accent Or the color of your shirt Better the pride that resides In a citizen of the world Than the pride that divides When a colorful rag is unfurled
Sometimes you wake up with a song in your head and you gotta share it.
This one from RUSH. What I think of as the third chapter in their musical canon. GOOD.
“The Big Money”
Big money goes around the world Big money underground Big money got a mighty voice Big money make no sound Big money pull a million strings Big money hold the prize Big money weave a mighty web Big money draw the flies
Sometimes pushing people around Sometimes pulling out the rug Sometimes pushing all the buttons Sometimes pulling out the plug It’s the power and the glory It’s a war in paradise It’s a Cinderella story On a tumble of the dice
Big money goes around the world Big money take a cruise Big money leave a mighty wake Big money leave a bruise Big money make a million dreams Big money spin big deals Big money make a mighty head Big money spin big wheels
Sometimes building ivory towers Sometimes knocking castles down Sometimes building you a stairway Lock you underground It’s that old time religion It’s the kingdom they would rule It’s the fool on television Getting paid to play the fool
It’s the power and the glory It’s a war in paradise It’s a Cinderella story On a tumble of the dice
Big money goes around the world Big money give and take Big money done a power of good Big money make mistakes Big money got a heavy hand Big money take control Big money got a mean streak Big money got no soul…
Who was this man? What was his time? I didn’t know.
I didn’t know until I listed to this particular Code Switch podcast recently. I didn’t even finish it. But I knew I had to share it, capture it, finish it later. And then listen again. And again.
Three voices tell the story: the first two, regulars hosting Code Switch: SHEREEN MARISOL MERAJI, and GENE DEMBY. And then a special guest to provide the lead narrative, BILAL QURESHI.
