Tuesday, June 12, 2007

David Wilcox

I’ve been listening to Big Horizon recently. This was the first Wilcox album I bought. There are some real gems there, some of Wilcox’s best. These songs are introspective, thoughtful, insightful. I believe this album is also musically the best by Wilcox. The songs are arranged well. The music matches the spirit of the words. Here’s what I’ve been thinking about:

“That’s What the Lonely is For” Take hope as you walk the depths of sorrow and loneliness, for the deeper the loneliness, the greater your capacity for happiness. How big is the fullness of your heart? A mansion.

“Show the Way” Love, another name for Deity. Are you surrounded by darkness and depression? Does the world seem a cold place to be? Remember, Love built the stage. The plan will not fail. “There is evil cast around us, but it’s Love that wrote this play / And in this darkness Love will show the way.”

“Break in the Cup” Maybe you’re the secret missing piece of my heart, finally going to make me happy! Nope. We can’t solve each other’s loneliness with our own capacity. We must go to the waterfall, to God, “From whom all blessings flow.” He will continually fill us with His love, and when we love another we are full.

“Farthest Shore” Shiny junk? What’s really important, what can I take with me? What should I work for? U2 reminds us of “all that you can’t leave behind.”

“All the Roots Grow Deeper When It’s Dry” “In the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me,” (D&C 101:8). Suffering has a purpose. In times of trial and affliction, do we feel after the Lord? Doing so will plant us more firmly in sacred ground, and when the winds and the storms blow we will not be uprooted.

“Hold It Up To The Light” “I see if you gave me a vision, I would never have reason to use my faith.” Boyd K. Packer said there is a “moment when you have gone to the edge of the light and step into the darkness to discover that the way is lighted ahead for just a footstep or two.” Will he guide us? Yes, if we step forward in faith. The light will come, and with each step we may say, “This far it feels so right.”

3 comments:

rcliii said...

Thanks for putting those thoughts together! Listening to those songs is like taking a deep breath, letting it out, and being able to smile peacefully. xoh

Sister Abby Bowler said...

That is one of my favorite albums, too. So many of Dave's songs are so insightful and really have spiritual references. I guess that's why we call him Bishop Dave!
Chris and I just went to his concert, and he has a new album coming out in a few months. It's going to be good!

Anonymous said...

Ah! So that's what a blog is. Cool!
Your astute appraisal is well articulated-- I'll have to listen to this album.
Cheers!