This is day one of an exploration of Holy Week through the music of Chris Cornell– singer, lyricist, lead vocalist, drummer, sometimes guitarist, and front man/member of Audioslave, Soundgarden, and Temple of the Dog. Like many of his contemporaries, he claimed his Heavenly prize far too soon and by suicide.
As you listen to his poetic verses, you’ll discover a deep spiritual wrestling with what it means to live a faithful life while following his calling as a musician. At the end of this post is a video which will enhance your reflection– hearing Chris sing his lyrics is far more powerful than simply reading them.
The song Before we Disappear reminds me of the human struggle with the Palm Sunday promise of a Holy drawing in and gathering up of everyone. Holy grace covers all of life and calls every single one of us worthy and beloved, each of us a pearl in the shell– regardless of how we spin around in a free fall. It’s natural to question, doubt, fear, and allow life’s joys and challenges to distract us from the truth–the door to every cell is the Holy One. Cornell mirrors the stance of the disciples as he shows us how confusing and perplexing it can be to find ourselves in our Christian story and to navigate this world. He leaves us with his repeating question of how hard can it be? I think we all know the answer to this question. Living a truly faithful life… it’s simultaneously the easiest and most difficult task we face each day.
Disciples: (expressions of confusion and perplexity-not understanding the situation)
Jesus: “The time has come for the human one to be glorified”
Jesus: (deeply troubled) “Now what should I say, ‘Father? Save me from this time’?”
Father: (a disembodied voice from above) “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”
Crowd: (perplexed, fearful, surprised) “It’s thunder! An angel spoke to him!”
Jesus: “It’s for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time. When I am lifted from his earth, I will draw everyone to me.”
From the Church’s book- John 12: 16-33
Before we Disappear
Time ain't nothing if it ain't fast
Taking everything that you ever had
And giving nothing in return
But a cold bed in the quiet earth
If there's a door to every cell
A pearl inside of every shell
Then how hard can it be
To share your life with me
How hard can it be
To rise with me each morning
I know that it feels like
We will live forever, but I fear
That time will hide the years
Life ain't nothing if it ain't hard
It will show you who you truly are
Knock you down when you get too tall
'Til you're spun around in a free fall
But somewhere out there past the storm
Lies the shelter of your heart
So how hard can it be
To share your life with me
How hard can it be
To rise with me each morning
I know that it feels like
We will live forever, but I fear
That time will hide the years
Like we were never here
So hold on tightly my dear
I'm not one to waste my time
Searching for some silver lining
But somewhere out there past the storm
Lies the shelter of your heart
So how hard can it be
To share your life with me
How hard can it be
To rise with me each morning
I know that it feels like
We will live forever, but I fear
That time can hide the years
Like we were never here
So hold on tightly my dear
Before we disappear
Before we disappear
How hard can it be to allow ourselves to fully believe in our belovedness? How hard can it be to lose ourselves in Christ’s love? Thanks be to God for patience and grace!
This reflection inspired by Palm Sunday and the words of Chris Cornell.