Lessons from Christian Music, Vol. 1: Gaither Vocal Band, Part 1: "This Old House"

Because I think it might be therapeutic for Christians to realize what has been done in the name of Christianity through music, I have started this series of posts with the Gaither Vocal Band, whose music is paradigmatic of what is wrong with "Christian" music. Feel free to lament, criticize, or whatever you think is appropriate.
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This old house once knew my children
This old house once knew my wife
This old house was home and shelter as we fought the storms of life
This old house once rang with laughter
This old house heard many shouts
Now she trembles in the darkness when the lightnin' walks about

Ain't gonna need this house no longer
Ain't gonna need this house no more
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor
Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend the window pane
Ain't gonna need this house no longer
I'm getting ready to meet the saints

This old house is getting shaky
This old house is getting old
This old house lets in the rain and
This old house lets in the cold
On my knees I'm getting chilly
But I feel no fear or pain
'Cause I see an angel peeking through
A broken window pane

Ain't gonna need this house no longer
Ain't gonna need this house no more
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor
Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend the window pane
Ain't gonna need this house no longer
I'm getting ready to meet the saints

Now my old hound dog lies asleeping
He don't know I'm gonna leave
Else he'd wake up by the fireplace
And he'd sit there, howl and grieve
But my hunting days are over
I aint gonna hunt the 'coon no more
Gabriel done brought in chariot
When the wind blew down the door

Ain't gonna need this house no longer
Ain't gonna need this house no more
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor
Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend the window pane
Ain't gonna need this house no longer
I'm getting ready to meet the saints

Comments

timcoe said…
Over the mountains and the sea,
Your river runs with love for me,
And I will open up my heart
And let the Healer set me free.
I'm happy to be in the truth,
And I will daily lift my hands
For I will always sing of when
Your love came down.

I could sing of Your love forever

Oh, I feel like dancing,
But it's foolishness I know.
But, when the world has seen the light,
They will dance with joy like we're dancing now.


Could someone please explain to me how the image of the river works in the first bit? Is it a river that runs over mountains? Is it a river that runs over the sea? Is it a river that comes down? Is it related to a healer setting people free? How many confused metaphors are we using here?

And in the second bit, I am curious as to why we are so excited about how the whole world will eventually be doing something foolish.
Jed said…
Yup. Can't even tell you how many times I have stood wondering those same questions while everybody around me sang that song.

We've been singing this song forever...
Jed, thanks for the comment. How did you find my blog? I grew up about five minutes from MBC, my parents met and married there, and my wife just graduated from there last year. We are eagerly looking forward to returning home in June. How is Portland right now?