Music # 6 'The Rising' Bruce Springsteen

Inspired by The Boss' reaction to the events of September 11, this is a powerful album [and now DVD of the Concert I believe]. Not the usual fist pumping patriotism, instead Bruce Springsteen's music is drawn from the stories and experiences of victims, survivors and families. It paints a different picture of what the day represents and provides a haunting soundtrack.
I first used 'Into the Fire' at a worship Expo together with an AV of images representing worship and as an example of reframing or in some ways juxtaposition. These are two tools for creating experiences that fit with a post modern mindset or worship possibility. i.e. a feature of post modern thinking or life is the way that clashing ideas or unusual combinations are held together in the arts, ideas and spirituality. This is fun to play with and can get people thinking. What does a song about the bravery and sacrifice of fire fighters going into a building already alight have to do with different images and ideas about worship. In a sense it was as much about the mood and depth of the music and any lyrics and that is what brought the audio-visual to life.

NOTE:
Reframing is altering the value or meaning of something by altering its context
Juxtaposition is about putting two things alongside which normally don't go together

Into the Fire
The sky was falling and streaked with blood
I heard you calling me, then you disappeared into the dust
Up the stairs, into the fire
Up the stairs, into the fire
I need your kiss, but love and duty called you someplace higher
Somewhere up the stairs, into the fire

May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love [repeat]

You gave your love to see, in fields of red and autumn brown
You gave your love to me and lay your young body down
Up the stairs, into the fire
Up the stairs, into the fire
I need you near, but love and duty called you someplace higher
Somewhere up the stairs, into the fire

May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love [repeat]

It was dark, too dark to see, you held me in the light you gave
You lay your hand on me
Then walked into the darkness of your smoky grave
Up the stairs, into the fire
Up the stairs, into the fire
I need your kiss, but love and duty called you someplace higher
Somewhere up the stairs, into the fire

May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love [repeat]

The sky was falling and streaked with blood
I heard you calling me, then you disappeared into the dust
Up the stairs, into the fire
Up the stairs, into the fire
I need your kiss, but love and duty called you someplace higher
Somewhere up the stairs, into the fire

May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love [repeat]


You gave your love to see, in fields of red and autumn brown
You gave your love to me and lay your young body down
Up the stairs, into the fire
Up the stairs, into the fire
I need you near, but love and duty called you someplace higher
Somewhere up the stairs, into the fire

May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love [repeat]

It was dark, too dark to see, you held me in the light you gave
You lay your hand on me
Then walked into the darkness of your smoky grave
Up the stairs, into the fire
Up the stairs, into the fire
I need your kiss, but love and duty called you someplace higher
Somewhere up the stairs, into the fire

May your strength give us strength
May your faith give us faith
May your hope give us hope
May your love give us love... [repeat]

May your love bring us love

A number of other tracks are stunning and tell the story of family waiting for someone who isn't coming home or offer visions of hope where none seems possible or sensible.