01 February 2010

Till Kingdom Come

Have you heard of Coldplay? Probably. I started listening to them about a year ago, which is a rather amusing and pathetic story of itself. But the point is, I liked them. When it comes to quiet rock, they're the first band I turn to. The funny thing about Coldplay - an 'alternative rock' group, as iTunes calls it - is that it attracts Christians like flies. For some reason, we've classified them in the group of 'Secular-Bands-We-Wish-And-Can-Almost-Imagine-Were-Christian.' Other bands like that include Linkin Park, Five For Fighting, and (of course) U2. I've got friends who say things like "I like Coldplay because it's almost Christian!"

I'm not one of those people. The argument that "the lyrics of the song express hope/redemption/ [other Christian theme here] so the songwriter must be a Christian" falls flat to me. A secular artist can express a Christian truth while still being a secular artist. I don't listen to Coldplay because I can imagine its lyrics are Christian. I listen to this particular band because many of its lyrics express truth about the world, and they express it well.

That being said, I particularly enjoy Till Kingdom Come. The interpretations are varied. I shan't offer one. However, one thing I appreciate about this song is that the music doesn't overwhelm the song's message.

"Still my heart and hold my tongue
I feel my time
My time has come
Let me in
Unlock the door
I never felt this way before

And the wheel just keeps on turning
The drummer begins to drum
I don’t know which way I’m going
I don’t know which way I’ve come

Hold my head inside your hands
I need someone who understands
I need someone, someone who hears
For you I’ve waited all these years

For you I’d wait 'til kingdom come
Until my day, my day is done
And say you'll come and set me free
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me

In your tears and in your blood
In your fire and in your flood
I hear you laugh, I heard you sing
I wouldn’t change a single thing
And the wheels just keep on turning
The drummers begin to drum
I don’t know which way I’m going
I don’t know what I’ve become

For you I’d wait 'til kingdom come
Until my days, my days are done
And say you'll come and set me free
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me"

3 comments:

  1. I've always liked Coldplay because their music is good.
    Til Kingdom Come is an exceedingly good song, by the way.

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