Poetry (and sometimes music) Friday
As you know by now, I devote Fridays to two separate endeavors. One, “The Weekly Town Crier,” is simply a compilation of the things that caught my eye over the past week. Tidbits that I found interesting enough to pass along. The other Friday adventure is this post, where I focus on two things that I love: poetry and music. In trying to foster an appreciation for all things artistic, I link to some photography (Joe Kennedy, Alex Forrest, Joe Thorn and Steve McKoy) and some history musings (Will Turner) but my focus is on poetry and music. I typically highlight one poet, giving at least one representative example of a poem and I highlight one musical artist who makes at least one track available for download. Enough with the formalities.
In light of the questionable character of last week’s poet, Oscar Wilde, I felt it appropriate to “clean it up” a bit and focus on an “explicitly Christian” writer this week. William Cowper (1731-1800), pronounced Cooper was an English poet and hymn writer. Cowper is a favorite among many because it is well-known that he often struggled with bouts of severe depression and this reminds many that even men of the past that we consider godly experienced many of the same struggles that we do. These themes often found their way into his writing, but he was never content in the clouds and always pointed the reader to God, which is the true lasting quality of his work. Today’s feature poem is “God Moves In a Mysterious Way:”
God Moves In A Mysterious Way
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
The past few weeks of musical selections have focused a bit more on the “pretty” side of instrumental music. This week we’re going to change directions slightly and venture into some slightly more “rock” oriented areas. Not that this music doesn’t have those “pretty” moments, but they are of a different nature. 65 Days of Static is a band I just recently came across. They are another instrumental “post-rock” band from Sheffield, England. The band combines the sometimes heavy guitar-driven approach of Mogwai with the melodicism of Explosions in the Sky and off-kilter electronic samples and percussion elements. Think of what Linkin Park might accomplish if they were talented. Yes, it’s often a heavier sound, but sometimes we all just need a little rock, right?
- Visit the band’s official website
- Download “I Swallowed Hard Like I Understood”
- Download “Betraying Chino”
- Download “I Am Robot”
- Download “Everything We Talked About Yesterday”
- Buy the “Hole” E.P.
- Buy “One For All Time”
Finally, a poem that I really like! :D
Ooh-ooh-ooh! And I really like the music, too. I could really get some house cleaning done listening to this stuff! ;)
A great poetry and music Friday. Kudos.
Cowper is one of our favorites. This poem has been special to us for a while now, and was made even more so when quoted recently at our friend Steve’s funeral. “Behind a frowning providence he hides a smiling face…” One of the most beautiful thoughts for suffering Christians, with whom Cowper was surely listed.
“The clouds ye so much dread are big with mercy and shall break in blessings on your head…” Stunning truth to cling to.
Thanks so much Brent, for the selection today! My heart is encouraged.
-Tami