I ran across this song on Pandora and have become really intrigued by it. Upon listening to the lyrics, I thought it was perfect for another secular worship song.
And the worst part is there’s no one else to blame
Be my friend, hold me
Wrap me up, unfold me
I am small, I’m needy
Warm me up and breathe me
Ouch, I have lost myself again
Lost myself and I am nowhere to be found
Yeah, I think that I might break
Lost myself again and I feel unsafe
Be my friend, hold me
Wrap me up, unfold me
I am small, I’m needy
Warm me up and breathe me
Be my friend, hold me
Wrap me up, unfold me
I am small, I’m needy
Warm me up and breathe me
I love the vulnerability of this song. I have been in this place so many times, feeling lost and small, crying out for help. I even love the vocal style, especially in the first verse. There are several parts where her voice breaks. It sounds like she’s been up all night and hasn’t warmed up vocally. Normally, I would hate that, but it works perfectly for the mood and message of this song.
I love the image of “Wrap me up, unfold me.” I see God taking us from the ashes and creating beautiful things, like only He can do.
Question: What are your thoughts on this song? Do you have a suggestion for a secular worship song?
For this month’s installment of secular worship songs, I’m featuring a suggestion by a faithful reader.
Answer by Sarah McLachlan
I will be the answer
At the end of the line
I will be there for you
While you take the time
In the burning of uncertainty
I will be your solid ground
I will hold the balance
If you can’t look down
If it takes my whole life
I won’t break, I won’t bend
It will all be worth it
Worth it in the end
Cause I can only tell you what I know
That I need you in my life
When the stars have all gone out
You’ll still be burning so bright
Cast me gently
Into morning
For the night has been unkind
Take me to a
Place so holy
That I can wash this from my mind
The memory of choosing not to fight
If it takes my whole life
I won’t break, I won’t bend
It will all be worth it
Worth it in the end
‘Cause I can only tell you what I know
That I need you in my life
When the stars have all burned out
You’ll still be burning so bright
Cast me gently
Into morning
For the night has been unkind
I appreciate Sarah McLachlan’s music. I love her voice and enjoy her songwriting style. This song in particular, I find absolutely beautiful.
I searched for the “real” meaning behind the song, but only found various fan’s opinions. Most seemed to think it was a love ballad, which is probably accurate. But for our purposes, seeking the sacred in the secular, I see it as a conversation between God and the singer. I especially like the line, “Cast me gently into morning, for the night has been unkind.” I see this as a prayer, and it reminds me of the Scripture, “Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
I’d like to share another song for my “Secular Worship Series.” This song was brought up by a commenter. I gave it a listen and found it interesting.
Galaxies by Owl City
Call back the cap-com,
Tick off the time-bomb,
Let felicity fly!
Armour the airlock,
Blanket the bedrock,
And kiss the planet goodbye!
Dear God, I was terribly lost,
When the galaxies crossed,
And the Sun went dark.
Dear God, You’re the only North Star,
I would follow this far.
Fight back the flight deck,
Bring on the breakneck,
Cue the solar eclipse!
Summit the sunset,
Dubtail the dragnet,
And blow your backbone to bits!
Dear God, I was terribly lost,
When the galaxies crossed,
And the Sun went dark.
Dear God, You’re the only North Star,
I would follow this far.
Oh telescope, keep an eye on my only hope,
Lest I blink and be swept off the narrow road.
Hercules, you’ve got nothing to say to me,
‘Cause you’re not the blinding light that I need.
For He is the saving grace of the Galaxies!
He is the saving grace of the Galaxies
Dear God, I was terribly lost,
When the galaxies crossed,
And the Sun went dark.
(Went dark)
Dear God, You’re the only North Star,
I would follow this far.
I would follow this far.
(Galaxies, galaxies, through the galaxies, through the galaxies)
On my first listen, I haven’t a clue what this song is trying to say. It has a catchy beat but incredibly cryptic lyrics. But I appreciate songs that make me dig for the meaning.
The chorus is pretty simple to understand. The writer was lost and found hope through God. It’s the verses that leave me scratching my head. I read the Wikipedia article, and it says the song was written about the Challenger disaster. It is meant to depict what the crew members might have been thinking in the last moments of their life.
I doubt I would ever play this song in a worship service. I think it would leave too many people confused. But it’s a great song for personal listening and “pondering.”
I wanted to share another secular song that speaks to me. I don’t exactly consider it worship, but it has some spiritual elements woven into it. The song is “Mad World.” It was originally written and performed in the 1980s by the band Tears for Fears. In 2003, it was covered by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules and done much slower. Since then, I’ve heard more covers of this song then I can count.
Mad World
All around me are familiar faces
Worn out places, worn out faces
Bright and early for their daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere
Their tears are filling up their glasses
No expression, no expression
Hide my head I want to drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow
And I find it kinda funny
I find it kinda sad
The dreams in which I’m dying
Are the best I’ve ever had
I find it hard to tell you
I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It’s a very, very mad world mad world
Children waiting for the day they feel good
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday
And I feel the way that every child should
Sit and listen, sit and listen
Went to school and I was very nervous
No one knew me, no one knew me
Hello teacher tell me what’s my lesson
Look right through me, look right through me
I find it kinda sad
The dreams in which I’m dying
Are the best I’ve ever had
I find it hard to tell you
I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It’s a very, very mad world … mad world
This song is haunting. The minor key gives it a sad feel, and the melody is soft, gentle and unassuming. First look at the words tells me that there is nothing worshipful about this. It is sad and depressing. A quick glance at the chorus tells me that the writer may be contemplating suicide.
Then I remember about 40% of the Psalms. The Psalmist often declares his sorrow very openly. There is nothing happy about many of the Psalms, and there is nothing wrong about expressing worship through sorrow.
O Lord God Almighty, how long will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people?
Psalm 80:4
This song tells me that the writer is weary of his day to day life. The meaningless running in circles, the exhaustion from trying to keep going… it sounds a little like Ecclesiastes to me.
I don’t like how worship music has to be peppy and energetic to be “truly” worshipful. Sometimes I worship best through sad songs. Sad songs help me feel. By acknowledging the sorrow, I find that I can rise above it.
What are your thoughts on this song, or on sad songs in worship?
I’m not always so excited about worship songs. I think they often lack a certain something. Like substance.
I know it’s tough to write worship songs. I get it. People like me rag on them. But there’s become such a formula for worship songs that they’ve kind of lost their luster.
Which is why I get excited when I discover a secular song that seems to have spiritual undertones. A song that makes me feel something inside. A song where I’m not just going through the motions of verse, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus.
Many months ago, I wrote a post about Mumford and Sons and how their music isn’t Christian, but often worshipful. A reader commented that I should do a post about secular songs that inadvertently speak of God’s grace. I thought it was a great idea, and accepted the challenge.
Sort of. I’ve put it off for months because I wasn’t sure where to start with it or how to handle it. Someone else mentioned that they would love to see a list of “secular” songs that have Christian undertones and might be suitable for worship. Again, great idea, but not real sure how to start.
So here’s what I’d like to do. I’m going to share some of these secular songs, and what “spiritual” message I get out of them. And I’d like you to help. Please share a non-worship song that is worshipful to you. Share in the comments, or shoot me a private message through the contact page.
These songs may not be suitable for Sunday morning corporate worship, but I find it so important to find music that connects on a deeper level. Music that speaks to me in a unique way.
I’d like to start with the first suggestion from a reader; the song Falling Slowly, from the film Once.
I don’t know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can’t react
And games that never amount
To more than they’re meant
Will play themselves out
Take this sinking boat and point it home
We’ve still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You’ll make it now
Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can’t go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I’m painted black
You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It’s time that you won
Take this sinking boat and point it home
We’ve still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You’ve made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I’ll sing it loud
First off, I just love the melody of this song. It’s singable, catchy, and passionate. It’s the kind of melody that makes me want to grab my hairbrush off my dresser and wail right along.
Second, the words. They make me think. I appreciate a song whose meaning isn’t totally surface value. I really had to take time to think about these words.
I think the spiritual message I get out of it is that there is always hope, no matter how hopeless a situation. The line in the chorus, “Take this sinking boat and point it home,” makes me think of a God whose grace is never ending. Always time for a second chance.
What do you get out of this song? Anything? Nothing? What song would you like to see discussed?
