29.5.11

Time Blesses The Journey

A song about the journey itself (i.e. getting from here to there), but also about the time it takes to get there, just as a musical statement is made by the interval between two successive notes, but also by the space between the notes as well.

I read a story several years ago, that JRR Tolkien, in his elderly years as an Oxford professor, sold his car. Though it was for different reasons that I write about here, I imagine he rediscovered a few things along the way.

Time Blesses The Journey


Tolkien ambles home along a garden lane
Sold his car and then discovered once again
All the cobbles in the street
And more than that, the movements of his feet

It's been planes and elevators for too long
Until I was getting off, the windows all were drawn
So, though I've arrived, there's still
Something that I missed along the way

I've been away from this ocean town
Reminds me of all that stretches past the shore
But these points on a line remind
That time will bless the journey that's in store
As the journey blesses time

Think I can see Vespucci on the open waves
Nothing on his horizon now for days
He cuts through every blade of tide
And sails under every inch of sky

I've been afraid of these mountain views
All of the heights that still are left to climb
But these points on a line remind
That time will bless the journey that's in store
As the journey blesses time

So the hour sits behind the tutor's desk
Dons the Oxford robe and teaches me the rest
That much will come and go
That much will collide and then fade away

4 comments:

Jean said...

beautiful
i think it is my favorite so far :)

Timothy said...

another great song with lots of meaning....is rachel singing in this one too? mom

The Drs. McLaughlin said...

Nope, just me. Thanks for the positive feedback.

Sandy said...

Really beautiful lyrics, Eric! (I can't listen just yet 'cause I don't want to wake my kiddos!!!) May God pour His love and goodness down on the McLaughlins these next months.