I am the fountain of affection
I’m the instrument of joy
And to keep the good times rolling
I’m the boy, I’m the boy,
You know the world could be our oyster,
You just put your trust in me,
Cause we’ll keep the good times rolling
Wait and see, wait and see….oh wait and see!His exhaltation, a sweet disintegration.
A few discolorations, then it comes along
up is why he chooses, the kisses and the bruises
There ain’t nothing he refuses, then it comes along
It comes along, and I am lifted, I am lifted, I am lifted![Chorus:]
When I’m up I can’t get down
Can’t get down, can’t get level
When I’m up I can’t get down
Get my feet back on the ground
When I’m up I can’t get down
Can’t get down, can’t get level
When I’m up I can’t get down
Get my feet back on the groundHe just needs, something to blind him
Something to wind him up
It won’t take long to find him
When it comes on strong.Wise guys are grinning, street lights are spinning
The night is just beginning, and then it comes on strong
It comes on strong, and I am lifted, I am lifted, I am lifted![Chorus]
Oh it comes on strong, and I am lifted.
It comes on strong, and I am lifted.
I am lifted, I am lifted!Chorus
When I’m Up
On my walk to work this morning I was listening to "The Pod" when the Great Big Sea version of the song When I’m Up (I Can’t Get Down) shuffled to the fore. Now I REALLY like Great Big Sea (www.greatbigsea.com) and this is my favorite song by them. The song was originally written by Oysterband (www.oysterband.co.uk) a british folk-rock group.
As I was listening to the lyrics I began to sense Christ in them. This can be frustrating for some who know me…there are times when I can see Christ in everything…they are thin places for me when Heaven and Earth feel very close. They are rare moments and I treasure them. Anyhow as I was walking to work listening and re-listening to the song I was struck by how powerful the lyrics are and I imagined the song as the words of Christ to His disciples (and to us). I don’t know what the original meaning of the song is despite deep web searches I can find nothing from the band. Some have suggested that it is about the up side of manic depression, others about drug abuse. Who knows – all I know is that when I listen to the words as though they are both Christ speaking to me and someone speaking about Christ, I am up too:
In the words I hear Christ speak of Himself and His nature as the source of all good and joy. I also hear the need to walk to the cross and to be lifted up. I hear the reality that this is the only way for this joy to be made permanent and accessible to all…He can’t get down…this is not the way. Up is why He chooses the kisses and the bruises. To be lifted up is why there ain’t nothing He refuses. Christ is the fountain of affection and the instrument of joy in whom we put our trust.
The sound of the song is joyous and reflects the true tenor of the crucifixion – we are too sombre I think in our reflection on the cross. It is through the pain, sacrifice and the death of Christ that the Kingdom of God enters the world – and this is joy. It is the common mood and response to death in the Irish wake (another reason why I appreciate the Great Big Sea version)…a mood of celebration and not gloom.
I should stress that this is MY interpretation of the song and not necessarily the meaning intended by Oysterband when it was written. Nevertheless it has been a valuable exercise for me to look for Christ in the world.
Harnessing Chaos 
Ah, good old GBS. I love their music. It gives you the feeling that they really know how to live life – their music works hard, plays hard, and feels deeply. I prefer their remakes of traditional songs to their new stuff, but both are excellent. Some favorites of mine: Trois Navires de Blé (Three Wheat Ships), Captain Wedderburn, Donkey Riding, Excursion Around the Bay…the list goes on. They have lots of little tidbits of quotable wisdom in their songs. A snippet from "Wave Over Wave":
I\’ve sailed the world over for decades or more, And oft times I wonder what I do it for. I don\’t know the answer its pleasure and pain. But with life to live over I\’d do it again.
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Yeah- they are all that you have said. I really like their stuff. I\’ll hunt down the ones you\’ve mentioned.
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I often see Christ in everything too. I think that is what it means to have spiritual eyes! Great way to fellowship with Him…through music and nature!
Have a great weekend!
Grace to you
Shell
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