Slow Train Coming

Bob Dylan’s Gonna Serve Somebody is a Christian song contrasting good and evil, of which we share a long sordid history. Take world history, did humanity primarily choose forgiveness or vengeance, love or hate? What do we choose today? We certainly desire to think of ourselves as just people who would freely choose what benefits others. Yet, the sad reality is we have not always lived up to this vision of ourselves.

Dylan’s song can be summed up in these brief lyrics, “Indeed you’re gonna have to serve somebody / Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord.” This got a strong reaction from fellow artists. John Lennon thought it was “embarrassing” and wrote “Serve Yourself” in response to it. Lennon’s lyrics proclaim, “You gotta serve yourself / Ain’t nobody gonna do it for you.”

Here’s a worthwhile challenge, consider our global leaders today and look back at all the historic leaders of the past. Now make an honest comparison between them. You’ll be looking a long, long time trying to find anyone who even remotely compares to the complete love and forgiveness of Christ Jesus.

Please carefully consider your choices in this brief life.

Sources: Medium + Song Facts + Andrea Piacquadio

Elder David Ross

He Gave Me A Heart To Love, by Elder David Ross was recorded in New Orleans, Louisiana on June 2, 1954. It can be heard on Music From The South, Volume 9: Song And Worship.

The performer and presumed author of this song, Elder David Ross was an itinerant preacher, singer and guitar player. Both he Blind Willie Johnson, another well known itinerant singer can be heard in the Folkways Jazz Series. Elder Ross was a man of devout faith, who may have weakened his health with his many extended fasts. He was often heard on the streets of New Orleans, strumming his guitar and singing his songs on its’ busy city sidewalks.

I’m thankful this type of music has been preserved by Folkways and Steven Lance Ledbetter’s wonderful box set compilation, entitled Goodbye, Babylon. These performers and their songs were from a time long ago, in our well-worn past and remain as true today for the believers in Christ Jesus as they were back then.

© Helpful Creative

Sources: Folkways Recordings + FreeStockTextures