Rave On Charlie Kirk
Introduction
Over the last 24 hours I’ve been both saddened and inspired thinking about the life and sudden death of Charlie Kirk. He was Christ follower of extraordinary courage and conviction who was willing to engage anyone in respectful dialogue about their beliefs. Late this morning it struck me that the moving song by Van Morrison titled, Rave On John Donne, not only fittingly applies to Charlie but to thousands of other brave souls throughout history who have fearlessly shined a light in this increasingly dark world.
According to the internet “rave on” is “an expression that encourages someone to speak enthusiastically or passionately about something”. This epitomized Charlie who spoke passionately about his faith and Christian values. I believe his example will inspire thousands of people in the days to come to no longer be silent but to pick up Charlie’s torch and “rave on”. Jesus told to His followers, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
This short post includes Van Morrison’s mesmerizing song and the soulful lyrics from his 1983 live show in the Grand Opera House in Belfast, Ireland. A comment by Eric on this song reads, “This is Van's most poetically powerful song, if such can be spoken about his nearly 60 yrs of lyrics and poetry. I once listened to this song ten times in a row one long, lonely night during dark and struggling times, and the light infusing my soul from his words, the melody, his poetry and voice and phrasings and his band and Pee Wee Ellis' incredible sax illuminated me with hope and healing.” May our country find hope and healing in the days to come.
Rave On John Donne, Live in Belfast Lyrics
Part One
[Verse 1]
Rave on John Donne, rave on thy holy fool
Down through the weeks of ages in the moss borne dark dank pools
Rave on down through the Industrial Revolution
Empiricism, the atomic and nuclear age
Rave on down through the corridors
Rave on words on printed page
[Verse 2]
Rave on, Walt Whitman, nose down in wet grass
Rave on, fill the senses on nature's bright green shady path
Rave on Omar Khayyam, rave on Kahlil Gibran
Oh, what wine— sweet wine we drink as the celebration will be held
We will drink the, the wine and break the holy bread
[Verse 3]
Rave on let a man come out of Ireland
Rave on, Mr. Yeats
Rave on down through thy Holy Rosy Cross
Rave on down through theosophy and the Golden Dawn
Rave on through the writing of a vision
Rave on, rave on, rave on, rave on, rave on, rave on, rave on
Part Two
[Verse 1]
Tonight
In the sitting room tonight
The light
In the sitting room tonight
After leaves shake out of the trees
In the cold summer breeze
When the people passing in the street
And everybody that you meet
[Verse 2]
Tonight
You will understand the oneness
Tonight
You will understand the one
The light
In the sitting room tonight
In the light
Let it obligate the night
You will understand the oneness, the oneness
The oneness, the oneness
The oneness, the oneness
[Verse 3]
Is it real
What you sang about in your song?
Is it real
What you sang about in your song?
I said come back, baby
Can we talk it over one more time?
Tonight, tonight
You will understand the oneness, the oneness
[Verse 4]
Tonight
Anything suitable tonight
Tonight
Let it all begin tonight
You will understand the oneness, the oneness
The oneness, the oneness inside
[Verse 5]
And the truth
What you sang about in your song
Oh baby, baby, and the truth
What you sang about in your song
I said, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. . .
[Verse 6]
Tonight
You will understand the one
Oh, tonight
You will under, understand the oneness
And the leaves shaking off the trees
In the cold evening breeze
And the people passing on the street
And everybody that you meet
Tonight, tonight
When your lover's gone
Tonight, tonight