Over the Rhine

The other night I went to a friend’s house to hang out. We were roommates in college and now we are both in a state of transition: taking a year off before going back to pursue Masters work in Theology. My wife was gone for the evening so I didn’t need to worry about time (not that it mattered, I was still home by 12). We cooked up some beef steaks, cooked some fresh garden corn, and made some biscuits. It was a fabulous meal. As we sat there eating, we turned on some music and began discussing some of our favorites.

Marcus has seen Over the Rhine in concert 4 different times. I have yet to see them live, and to be honest, I just started listening to them two months ago. I still only own the two disc album ‘Ohio,’ and I absolutely love it. Marcus turned on this album through the stereo system while we ate. If you haven’t listened to Over the Rhine you should stop now and go listen to this miracle of music. They have a grace that transcends most bands of their raw honesty. The beauty of their melodic harmonies and deep soulful cries is only exceeded by the splendor of their poetry. The tension between their music and lyrics catches me off guard in a wonderfully splendid way.

Marcus and I sat their enjoying a good home cooked meal while listening to this band. We started talking about their lyrics, our favorite lines from numerous songs. A few are listed below.

From “Jesus in New Orleans”
Suggested by: Me

“But when I least expect it
Here and there I see my Saviors face
He’s still my favorite loser
Falling for the entire human race”

Same Song
Suggested by Marcus

“Ain’t it crazy
How we put to death the ones we need the most”

From “Changes Come”
Suggested by Marcus and I

“This ol’ world’s too f***** up
For any firstborn son
There is all this untouched beauty
The light the dark both running through me
Is there still redemption for anyone
Jesus come
Turn the world around”

Marcus and I both agreed that this is probably the most appropriate usage of the f-word we have ever heard. The sheer lyrical brilliance brings into tension the world as it is against the world as it is meant to be. This song reminds me that the word for conversion actually means a ‘slow turn.’ It is a new direction, a new way of life, a new way of living within the Kingdom of God. Changes come, ‘it ain’t all over babe, in fact it’s just begun.’ Or, as Jesus continues to say, “The Kingdom of God is here.”