How fitting sitting here on a Sunday morning the farm fields bursting with corn stalks and Chris serenading me with this gem, does not get much better, thank you folk music and all its performers.
I heard you sing this live at Chester in June. Tears I cried ..it says all I believe and feel. It says all I feel about this wonderful short life. And your last verse said all about my expectations of the end. I was holding my lovely wife of 32 years as she died peacefully of cancer. She had a smile on her face, "she was ready for the end", she just closed her eyes and let go! Thanks Chris...now I'm going to try and learn it! My songs on soundcloud about Compost and Gaia, similar thoughts. x
A wonderful song- I saw Chris with The Imagined Village and immediately became a huge fan! Surely the idea of 'Paradise on Earth' , as I have always understood it, is a call to humanity to stop focusing on an 'afterlife' that may or may not exist, and instead try to do good and to love and help your fellow humans in the time span you have on earth. Call me a hippie but I think it is a wise way to live.
this is one of my all time favorite songs. great melody and guitar playing, lyrics so true and thought provoking they are painful, and a wonderful sense of living in the now. thanks so much.
Such a beautiful song and so wonderfully performed. Lots of comments below suggest this is a 'rose tinted' view of the world, and is 'unrealistic'. Perhaps you missed the all-important third and fourth verses: "And Devil come up from your fiery furnace, Come up and show us your face. There's nothing you can teach us of evil or hatred, We don't have right here in this place. There is nothing so evil as man in his mischief, Nothing so lost or insane. And bring your demons up, too, so we'll know it's not you, But it's us who must carry the blame. It's us who must live with the shame. Come down, come down from your mountain, Jehovah, Come down and be with us here. Heaven and hell and the life ever after, It's such a beguiling idea. But our spell on this earth is much richer, Jehovah, Richer than you'll ever know." The whole point is that there is richness enough on earth for our inspiration, and darkness enough that we must fix it ourselves. We cannot shift the blame to supernatural 'devils' and should take inspiration from the richness of this world, not some bogus deity. It is beautiful and universal in its scope.
As a Christian, I actually liked this. It's correct that paradise is here if you make it. But Jehovah has come down once already. I'm sure He's smiling at this musician and saying, "Been there, done that." Don't worry, he'll be back.
you have a new fan. i came here via the Martin Simpson version and love this -its very moving, as much for the performance as the words. Come play in the west of Ireland!
Truth and beauty. Heart to heart. No wonder Martin Simpson played it, who has played some hymns beautifully. At least this is a place where I can express my gratitude.
Agree with a lot of what you say, but I think: 1. Chris Wood is simply highlighting the common misconception of so many nominal Christians who think the Kingdom of God is somewhere else: it's hard, infected by the materialistic view, to even think that it's within us - a teaching sadly undervalued within the Church. 2. Woods is saying EXACTLY that: Satan is human evil personified, but that a very prevalent mistake in Christianity puts the blame on an "external" Devil, instead of us
Incredibly beautiful song, and I think it has something to offer for believer and non-believers alike. A very insightful comment below, that you can hear the longing for God, or if you prefer, a longing for meaning. After all, what a concept...God comes down to earth as a man...seems to be it's been tried...
Na I got it from the 'later' website. Check description. :) The episode this song comes from, as far as I can tell, was the one with Chris playing alongside 'Imagined Village'. Pity they only did one song on the show that went out on TV. :(
Well, if you are unsure about any words or phrases, you can always ask the community here: people are mostly friendly, and if I succeed in working out the lyrics, I for one will happily share!
Does anybody know how I can get hold of Chris Wood's 'Listening to the River'?? I have looked everywhere. I have it on cassette but lost it when I moved to New Zealand! I'd be so grateful if anyone has any ideas! Thank you. God Bless.
Anyone who says that Paradise is here on Earth as he sings is willfully oblivious or maliciously indifferent to the tremendous amounts of suffering in this world. He says that there is nothing as evil as what is inside man, and, as a theist, I would agree. The irreconcilable contradiction in his atheology is that there can be evil without God. Evil is a relative term, to say that there is evil,there must be good, i.e. to recognize that the universe is not solely indifferent matter. He needs God.
That, to me, is the "sense" of the lyrics. When the "divine" or transcendent, ego-free state of mind is forgotten (as always happens), many religions create an image called "god", and mistakenly worship that. That's actually a form of idolatry. Also, the more this SEPARATE being is imagined, the further "he" seems from everyday life. That very distance, which has pervaded Christian and other traditions, is the reason for this song. I hope I have expressed myself clearly - words only hint at it.
Thx Kurt, yes you may feature one of my vids if you wish. I couldn't think of anyone better to do so. :D Although I expect we share many of the same subscribers? (that's an assumption) I'd love to make more but I have a pretty busy schedule at the moment. Hopefully i'll have more time soon :) Keep up the good work on your channel too, I'm a frequent watcher. :)
@mow19 Not a rebellion, but moderation. We are creatures of this world, and naturally have various drives. They key is to tame them, to discipline oneself. To let go and grow up. Not to crave, but enjoy. Every religion at the core is a key to happiness, but it is corrupted by those who don't get it into a system of controls and self promotion. It isn't about going to heaven after death, its about getting their in life. Its about returning to Paradise by growing up.
Let us say He did - what good did He accomplish? Old stories about Selflessness, Eternity and Hope have been refashioned turning poetic advice into dogma. "Gods and heroes" into God. Goodness became defined, isolated, caged. Its power turned against those of us who yearned to set it free as the Church sowed fear of torture (either corporeal or eternal) into the hearts of men. Was the reaffirmation of the Golden Rule, and the perils of selfishness really worth a thousand years of darkness?
Stephanie, hi! Good news! He DOESN'T simply say "it's paradise", ignoring suffering. In verse 3, he says there is evil, caused by humans. So paradise is only potentially or conditionally here on earth - but those words don't fit well in verse or poetry! "God" is right here, if by "god" one means the world you see when you let go of ego. That only happens when we're not tyrannised by thought. And that only happens when we are patient. Jesus, Buddha, and others taught inner quiet. That's all.
I haven't been to Mississippi, but in Austria they can give you a hard time. And what about the other countries I named? They persecute Christians according to the laws (be it sharia or communist or other) of their countries, which you can not say about Mississippi (or Austria of course). But anyway we are getting a bit carried away with our discussion, it hasn't got much to do with the song any more.
Lovely song and well sung. Two thoughts occurred to me while listening: firstly, many people cannot share the rose-tinted view of the world in the first verse (victims of war, political prisoners, slaves etc.). Secondly (and it has been said before) Jehovah has already come down. And he has promised to return to judge those whose evil acts are destroying this paradise that He created .
Chris Smith - well perhaps he should hurry up about it (returning to punish and judge for evil acts): better still since he's supposedly all powerful etc. etc. - why not just stop all the shit happening in the first place - now there's a thought? Your silly religion warps the moral compass of all who follow it.
I don't see the song as atheist merely poetic. There are extremes of evil and good in the world...genocide is pure evil.....but the simple love felt say for a partner, son or daughter is pure goodness.
There is no "other" deity; only different cultural descriptions of the transcendent Reality beyond ego. However, "Allah" refers to the One, whereas Shiva and Vishnu merely represent 2 aspects of the Hindu trinity, I think. Regards, Peter.
But are you telling me you will never hunt for true happiness, happy in th knowledge that ul go to heaven. I think im gonna take my chances and try to find happiness hear, on eath. I dont know what lies after death, and no-one does for certain, but im sure, no matter how nice it is, life will be richer, and better. U must also remember that bad ries shape ppl,aswell as good times.
The atheist needs to find paradise on earth; there is no other option. I don't think that evil and good are subjective, but there are times in life when the choice we have to make isn't between good and evil, but between the lesser of two evils because sin and evil have permeated every atom of this world. people of faith know that there will be a day when this changes. As theist, it is really sad to hear the hopeless expressions of atheists. You can hear in the song how much he longs for God.
Your NT bit is perhaps an example of why so many feel Christianity is out of touch. Like most Christians, you emphasise the "sacrifice" idea, and neglect to mention that it's WHAT HE TAUGHT that can transform lives. And is what he taught understood? None of us can imagine what it's like to experience the world WITHOUT seeing it through the habitual fiction of "ego". Only if thought calms down can one see that "god" and "heaven" are right here, and "hell" is a state of mind. It's not "elsehwere"
You missed the point: he's saying this creation is so wonderful - but that we humans misuse is, creating misery instead of looking after it. This creation is so wonderful, but humans are destroying it by selfishness and arrogance. Sound familiar? It should! It's the Bible story of the Garden of Eden (just in different words). A paradise that man's mischief damaged. The same message as in the song. OK? Jesus also said heaven is here, now, within you.
what beautiful guitar playing... and such wonderful lyrics that point to right here jsut now- but alas, alas- this is the sheer indulgence we are born into in Western culture: "We just close our eyes and let go."- what a lot of unspoken privilege that does not exist in aids/ebola ridden africa, nor, if recall, once upon a time in Wales: "do not go gentle into that good night". wonderful song.
There is nothing indulgent about the worldview represented in this song. The lyrics discuss the beauty and the horror of earth - they simply posit that there is no need for a god, that there is richness enough here and we must fix our own problems. Did you simply miss this verse? And Devil come up from your fiery furnace, Come up and show us your face. There's nothing you can teach us of evil or hatred, We don't have right here in this place. There is nothing so evil as man in his mischief, Nothing so lost or insane. And bring your demons up, too, so we'll know it's not you, But it's us who must carry the blame. It's us who must live with the shame. Come down, come down from your mountain, Jehovah, Come down and be with us here. Heaven and hell and the life ever after, It's such a beguiling idea. But our spell on this earth is much richer, Jehovah, Richer than you'll ever know.
Not a hippie, at all: Every age and ever nation and culture has its voice calling for a little common sense. This world is indeed Paradise, if only we had the sense to treat it wisely and with the same compassion we should share with each other.
Canada is no problem. Have you ever tried to convert to Christianity in a Muslim country or in China or India, or even to convert to Protestantism in Austria? In that case you would know what I mean.
Paradise IS right here and today (i.e. the Kingdom of Heaven is in YOU). To not mention God, to refer to Goodness instead follows the Commandments expressed in the Old Testament. If we believe in Goodness and worship no man-made Ideas, we have no false idol and don't take God's name in VAIN. For excesses of the ego fuck things up. Myths are a metaphor. God is a personification of Good. Ancients warned against literalism. The Name of God was not to be known. God must remain hidden.
Old ideas made real through the teaching of children that god any god is real. Church is money and they want your money, it costs to belong they are a business.
i think you have completely missed the point of Chris's song, Stephanie. I think it's really sad that a "theist" like yourself can listen to such a beautiful, thoughtful, and above all, peace-wishing song as this and use the words "really sad" and "hopeless". I hope you find peace because you sure ain't got it now.
I don't think you're meant to take the "Paradise on earth" literally. It's just the nearest we're going to get. And evil and good are subjective? Shock horror.
You don't do justice to his teaching, if you exclude the thought of sacrifice, because its a central part of it. "If I will be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me", which signifies his sacrificial death on the cross. And Christianity is by no means out of touch, but is in fact not only the most persecuted, but also the fastest growing religion today.
Other option: simply realise "paradise" is unobtainable, and have as good a time as you can. How can sin permeate atoms? How does it sound like he needs God? Which god anyway? What a ridiculous statement.
lovely song, I repeatedly listen to it. But still, the lyrics lack sense. The author should have addressed them to some other deity, Shiva, Vishnu, Allah or so, because Jehovah, the triune God of the Bible, is in the New Testament explicitly portrayed as having come down, not only to be made like his creatures and to enjoy fellowship with them, but to suffer a shameful death in order to save and deliver his people.
pahaha u people make me laugh, u shud hear yourselves. instead of having debates about religion and stuff, why not just listen to the music and enjoy it! (i think martin simpsons version is better though)
Oh Chris Smith and your funny Jehovah ... has he already judged me? ... and this song? .... will his judgement be made available via the freedom of information act? I hope Jehovah will be accountable for such 'Judge'ness ...
Jehovah has already made himself accountable. The song says "it is us who must bear the blame" . This would be true if Jehovah had not come down and took the blame upon himself so that we need no longer "live with the shame" of what we have done to this paradise.
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I haven’t listened to this in a while. But it is still as moving as it was the first time I heard if.
How fitting sitting here on a Sunday morning the farm fields bursting with corn stalks and Chris serenading me with this gem, does not get much better, thank you folk music and all its performers.
I heard you sing this live at Chester in June.
Tears I cried ..it says all I believe and feel.
It says all I feel about this wonderful short life. And your last verse said all about my expectations of the end. I was holding my lovely wife of 32 years as she died peacefully of cancer. She had a smile on her face, "she was ready for the end", she just closed her eyes and let go! Thanks Chris...now I'm going to try and learn it! My songs on soundcloud about Compost and Gaia, similar thoughts. x
Can't imagine. Part of the Universe now. Steady on.
A wonderful song- I saw Chris with The Imagined Village and immediately became a huge fan! Surely the idea of 'Paradise on Earth' , as I have always understood it, is a call to humanity to stop focusing on an 'afterlife' that may or may not exist, and instead try to do good and to love and help your fellow humans in the time span you have on earth. Call me a hippie but I think it is a wise way to live.
this is one of my all time favorite songs. great melody and guitar playing, lyrics so true and thought provoking they are painful, and a wonderful sense of living in the now. thanks so much.
I've listened to everything he's done, since hearing Hollow Point.
Such a beautiful song and so wonderfully performed. Lots of comments below suggest this is a 'rose tinted' view of the world, and is 'unrealistic'. Perhaps you missed the all-important third and fourth verses:
"And Devil come up from your fiery furnace,
Come up and show us your face.
There's nothing you can teach us of evil or hatred,
We don't have right here in this place.
There is nothing so evil as man in his mischief,
Nothing so lost or insane.
And bring your demons up, too, so we'll know it's not you,
But it's us who must carry the blame.
It's us who must live with the shame.
Come down, come down from your mountain, Jehovah,
Come down and be with us here.
Heaven and hell and the life ever after,
It's such a beguiling idea.
But our spell on this earth is much richer, Jehovah,
Richer than you'll ever know."
The whole point is that there is richness enough on earth for our inspiration, and darkness enough that we must fix it ourselves. We cannot shift the blame to supernatural 'devils' and should take inspiration from the richness of this world, not some bogus deity. It is beautiful and universal in its scope.
Agreed. It's clearly balanced out.
absolutely bloody marvellous, cheers Chris
Always lovely to find this song again.
I saw Chris at a luchtime concert at Newcastle uni last week. His songs are soo meaningful and relaxing - v impressed!
You are so cool mate. Particularly like your Hollow Point and your work in Imagined Village.
As a Christian, I actually liked this. It's correct that paradise is here if you make it. But Jehovah has come down once already. I'm sure He's smiling at this musician and saying, "Been there, done that." Don't worry, he'll be back.
What a beautiful voice - and clever songwriting.
JW Suicides 🌻 hey exJdub Texas 🙋♂️
simply beautiful
I just tried it; definitely CGCGCD. I saw him at Sidmouth recently - excellent.
Fantastic song and performance, Cheers The Makem Folk Singer
you have a new fan. i came here via the Martin Simpson version and love this -its very moving, as much for the performance as the words. Come play in the west of Ireland!
Truth and beauty. Heart to heart. No wonder Martin Simpson played it, who has played some hymns beautifully. At least this is a place where I can express my gratitude.
Love this song and its meaning.
Chris Wood is just fantastic.
I was wondering the same, thanks for the info, it sounds fantastic!
Agree with a lot of what you say, but I think:
1. Chris Wood is simply highlighting the common misconception of so many nominal Christians who think the Kingdom of God is somewhere else: it's hard, infected by the materialistic view, to even think that it's within us - a teaching sadly undervalued within the Church.
2. Woods is saying EXACTLY that: Satan is human evil personified, but that a very prevalent mistake in Christianity puts the blame on an "external" Devil, instead of us
Incredibly beautiful song, and I think it has something to offer for believer and non-believers alike. A very insightful comment below, that you can hear the longing for God, or if you prefer, a longing for meaning.
After all, what a concept...God comes down to earth as a man...seems to be it's been tried...
I love it. I love it. I effing love it.
@pvuf431 I forget about this comment, when I return here it always makes me smile.
Na I got it from the 'later' website. Check description. :)
The episode this song comes from, as far as I can tell, was the one with Chris playing alongside 'Imagined Village'. Pity they only did one song on the show that went out on TV. :(
Well, if you are unsure about any words or phrases, you can always ask the community here: people are mostly friendly, and if I succeed in working out the lyrics, I for one will happily share!
As an educated guess, looks like he's playing in CGCGCD (capo'd at 2nd, so it's in D). Great song.
@pvuf431 ...and with your stabilisers on at that...
some brilliant lyric writing
@youngaikidoka it's an old Fylde Orsino, Martin Carthy's in fact
that will do for me, I could't have said it better
Does anybody know how I can get hold of Chris Wood's 'Listening to the River'?? I have looked everywhere. I have it on cassette but lost it when I moved to New Zealand! I'd be so grateful if anyone has any ideas! Thank you. God Bless.
I can help if you contact me
Anyone who says that Paradise is here on Earth as he sings is willfully oblivious or maliciously indifferent to the tremendous amounts of suffering in this world. He says that there is nothing as evil as what is inside man, and, as a theist, I would agree. The irreconcilable contradiction in his atheology is that there can be evil without God. Evil is a relative term, to say that there is evil,there must be good, i.e. to recognize that the universe is not solely indifferent matter. He needs God.
You should hear martin Simpson version
could you tell me your 3 personal favourites on your own channel? that would make it easier for me to choose ;)
Where exactly do you see a paradise on earth today?
Leeds city centre!
Andrew Potterton lol
hi, can anyone send me the MP3 of this song? i have been hunting it for ages!
From one atheist to another: Even The Gospel of Thomas says, "The kingdom of heaven is all around and men do not see it".
That, to me, is the "sense" of the lyrics. When the "divine" or transcendent, ego-free state of mind is forgotten (as always happens), many religions create an image called "god", and mistakenly worship that. That's actually a form of idolatry. Also, the more this SEPARATE being is imagined, the further "he" seems from everyday life. That very distance, which has pervaded Christian and other traditions, is the reason for this song. I hope I have expressed myself clearly - words only hint at it.
What key or open tuning is played here please
Thx Kurt, yes you may feature one of my vids if you wish. I couldn't think of anyone better to do so. :D Although I expect we share many of the same subscribers? (that's an assumption)
I'd love to make more but I have a pretty busy schedule at the moment. Hopefully i'll have more time soon :)
Keep up the good work on your channel too, I'm a frequent watcher. :)
@mow19
Not a rebellion, but moderation. We are creatures of this world, and naturally have various drives. They key is to tame them, to discipline oneself. To let go and grow up. Not to crave, but enjoy. Every religion at the core is a key to happiness, but it is corrupted by those who don't get it into a system of controls and self promotion. It isn't about going to heaven after death, its about getting their in life. Its about returning to Paradise by growing up.
you got on later with jools hollands. Well done. Do you think thats better than getting featured? Maybe not but its is real telly and jools
can someone tell me where to get the lyrics from please?
Let us say He did - what good did He accomplish? Old stories about Selflessness, Eternity and Hope have been refashioned turning poetic advice into dogma. "Gods and heroes" into God. Goodness became defined, isolated, caged. Its power turned against those of us who yearned to set it free as the Church sowed fear of torture (either corporeal or eternal) into the hearts of men.
Was the reaffirmation of the Golden Rule, and the perils of selfishness really worth a thousand years of darkness?
Stephanie, hi! Good news! He DOESN'T simply say "it's paradise", ignoring suffering. In verse 3, he says there is evil, caused by humans. So paradise is only potentially or conditionally here on earth - but those words don't fit well in verse or poetry! "God" is right here, if by "god" one means the world you see when you let go of ego. That only happens when we're not tyrannised by thought. And that only happens when we are patient. Jesus, Buddha, and others taught inner quiet. That's all.
Thank you, Peter. But what about the New Testament bit of my comment? Greetings, Christian Beese
Love for your family would be only natural, pure goodness would be love felt for your enimies, what do you think?
@trex457 Well, I wager I won't be doing a whole lot of understanding when I'm dead.
What with the being dead and all.
What happened to you?
I haven't been to Mississippi, but in Austria they can give you a hard time. And what about the other countries I named? They persecute Christians according to the laws (be it sharia or communist or other) of their countries, which you can not say about Mississippi (or Austria of course). But anyway we are getting a bit carried away with our discussion, it hasn't got much to do with the song any more.
Lovely song and well sung. Two thoughts occurred to me while listening: firstly, many people cannot share the rose-tinted view of the world in the first verse (victims of war, political prisoners, slaves etc.). Secondly (and it has been said before) Jehovah has already come down. And he has promised to return to judge those whose evil acts are destroying this paradise that He created .
Chris Smith - well perhaps he should hurry up about it (returning to punish and judge for evil acts): better still since he's supposedly all powerful etc. etc. - why not just stop all the shit happening in the first place - now there's a thought? Your silly religion warps the moral compass of all who follow it.
fanally-this song is beutiful. i think that the ppl who fight over its meening have lost the true message of this song. life is beutiful
I don't see the song as atheist merely poetic. There are extremes of evil and good in the world...genocide is pure evil.....but the simple love felt say for a partner, son or daughter is pure goodness.
There is no "other" deity; only different cultural descriptions of the transcendent Reality beyond ego. However, "Allah" refers to the One, whereas Shiva and Vishnu merely represent 2 aspects of the Hindu trinity, I think.
Regards,
Peter.
But are you telling me you will never hunt for true happiness, happy in th knowledge that ul go to heaven. I think im gonna take my chances and try to find happiness hear, on eath.
I dont know what lies after death, and no-one does for certain, but im sure, no matter how nice it is, life will be richer, and better. U must also remember that bad ries shape ppl,aswell as good times.
... I forgot to say (thanks to sillypants C. Smith): Wonderful song ...
The atheist needs to find paradise on earth; there is no other option. I don't think that evil and good are subjective, but there are times in life when the choice we have to make isn't between good and evil, but between the lesser of two evils because sin and evil have permeated every atom of this world. people of faith know that there will be a day when this changes. As theist, it is really sad to hear the hopeless expressions of atheists. You can hear in the song how much he longs for God.
Your NT bit is perhaps an example of why so many feel Christianity is out of touch. Like most Christians, you emphasise the "sacrifice" idea, and neglect to mention that it's WHAT HE TAUGHT that can transform lives. And is what he taught understood? None of us can imagine what it's like to experience the world WITHOUT seeing it through the habitual fiction of "ego". Only if thought calms down can one see that "god" and "heaven" are right here, and "hell" is a state of mind. It's not "elsehwere"
You missed the point: he's saying this creation is so wonderful - but that we humans misuse is, creating misery instead of looking after it. This creation is so wonderful, but humans are destroying it by selfishness and arrogance.
Sound familiar? It should! It's the Bible story of the Garden of Eden (just in different words). A paradise that man's mischief damaged. The same message as in the song. OK? Jesus also said heaven is here, now, within you.
what beautiful guitar playing... and such wonderful lyrics that point to right here jsut now- but alas, alas- this is the sheer indulgence we are born into in Western culture: "We just close our eyes and let go."- what a lot of unspoken privilege that does not exist in aids/ebola ridden africa, nor, if recall, once upon a time in Wales: "do not go gentle into that good night". wonderful song.
There is nothing indulgent about the worldview represented in this song. The lyrics discuss the beauty and the horror of earth - they simply posit that there is no need for a god, that there is richness enough here and we must fix our own problems. Did you simply miss this verse?
And Devil come up from your fiery furnace,
Come up and show us your face.
There's nothing you can teach us of evil or hatred,
We don't have right here in this place.
There is nothing so evil as man in his mischief,
Nothing so lost or insane.
And bring your demons up, too, so we'll know it's not you,
But it's us who must carry the blame.
It's us who must live with the shame.
Come down, come down from your mountain, Jehovah,
Come down and be with us here.
Heaven and hell and the life ever after,
It's such a beguiling idea.
But our spell on this earth is much richer, Jehovah,
Richer than you'll ever know.
bottom line - this is all there is - good and bad - make the most of it
awesome song
@stephanielmason "he needs god"
god is the last thing that Chris Wood needs.
Not a hippie, at all: Every age and ever nation and culture has its voice calling for a little common sense. This world is indeed Paradise, if only we had the sense to treat it wisely and with the same compassion we should share with each other.
Canada is no problem. Have you ever tried to convert to Christianity in a Muslim country or in China or India, or even to convert to Protestantism in Austria? In that case you would know what I mean.
i love this ............... goodbye to all you beleivers in a fictional diety
Paradise IS right here and today (i.e. the Kingdom of Heaven is in YOU). To not mention God, to refer to Goodness instead follows the Commandments expressed in the Old Testament. If we believe in Goodness and worship no man-made Ideas, we have no false idol and don't take God's name in VAIN. For excesses of the ego fuck things up. Myths are a metaphor. God is a personification of Good. Ancients warned against literalism. The Name of God was not to be known. God must remain hidden.
lol well you can always write them down like i just did!! remember the good old days when people used pen and paper?
Sorry, Fylde Falstaff
Old ideas made real through the teaching of children that god any god is real. Church is money and they want your money, it costs to belong they are a business.
Well, Jehova did come down, didn`t he. He died a criminal's death to save his people.
Yes, brother man!
Nope
i think you have completely missed the point of Chris's song, Stephanie. I think it's really sad that a "theist" like yourself can listen to such a beautiful, thoughtful, and above all, peace-wishing song as this and use the words "really sad" and "hopeless". I hope you find peace because you sure ain't got it now.
I don't think you're meant to take the "Paradise on earth" literally. It's just the nearest we're going to get.
And evil and good are subjective? Shock horror.
You don't do justice to his teaching, if you exclude the thought of sacrifice, because its a central part of it. "If I will be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me", which signifies his sacrificial death on the cross.
And Christianity is by no means out of touch, but is in fact not only the most persecuted, but also the fastest growing religion today.
Other option: simply realise "paradise" is unobtainable, and have as good a time as you can.
How can sin permeate atoms?
How does it sound like he needs God? Which god anyway? What a ridiculous statement.
lol!!!
You are very wrong if you consider the global situation.
Very very poignant as ever especially in this moment in time.
lovely song, I repeatedly listen to it. But still, the lyrics lack sense. The author should have addressed them to some other deity, Shiva, Vishnu, Allah or so, because Jehovah, the triune God of the Bible, is in the New Testament explicitly portrayed as having come down, not only to be made like his creatures and to enjoy fellowship with them, but to suffer a shameful death in order to save and deliver his people.
Pick up the fiddle, again, Pan Man.
pahaha u people make me laugh, u shud hear yourselves. instead of having debates about religion and stuff, why not just listen to the music and enjoy it!
(i think martin simpsons version is better though)
Oh Chris Smith and your funny Jehovah ... has he already judged me? ... and this song? .... will his judgement be made available via the freedom of information act? I hope Jehovah will be accountable for such 'Judge'ness ...
Jehovah has already made himself accountable. The song says "it is us who must bear the blame" . This would be true if Jehovah had not come down and took the blame upon himself so that we need no longer "live with the shame" of what we have done to this paradise.
Laughable. Make a good Saturday Night skit.
At the risk of feeding the troll, I'm intrigued by this comment. Explain and elaborate please?
Your a sad man.
Jehovah is not a very nice god. I would like Cybele, the Anatolian mother goddess, to come down... And a bunch of others.