Neal Morse

Neal Morse (born August 2, 1960) is an American singer, musician and composer based in Nashville, Tennessee. … In 2002, Neal Morse became a born again Christian, left Spock's Beard and began a Christian rock solo career, releasing many progressive rock concept albums about his new religious faith.

As many of you know, at least those of you who have been with me for quite some time at my other blog, I am a big fan of progressive rock. This brought me to Neal Morse (via his connection to Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater).

Neal Morse has done several Christian-themed CDs. But this isn’t the kind of Christian music that makes a failed attempt at copying some “popular” or modern style. The music and the musicians in this band are all first class.

So, why am I writing about this here, instead of at my other blog? Simple. My Christian Journey includes many influences, and I learn much from unexpected sources. This is one example.

I will touch on four of his albums, offering just a glimpse into the lyrics that have helped me on my journey.

Testimony (2003)

This is just what the title says it is: Morse’s testimony. It is a very evangelical story, but it plays for anyone who has felt lost and without hope until they found Christ.

Even after being exposed to the Gospel, he found himself being pulled back, by a power we all know:

With one hand retreating like one that would drink to forget

I sunk to the depths of the deepest black forest of death

I was under the Fatherly care

Of the prince of the power of the air

But he would hold on to the promise:

Princes, principalities, legals and legalities

They have no more power before us

Yet, the struggles would continue.

However, his testimony culminates in joy:

Rejoice

For the king has come

Let the spirit move now

And his will be done

One (2004)

This album tells the story of man’s creation, separation, then reunion with God. The Creation, the fall, building a tower – all are in this story. Finally, when the fallen man is at his deepest depth, he cries out to the Father – presented as a most beautiful duet (video here):

First, the fallen man:

Sometimes I don't understand

Why I was born at all

When all that I do leaves me empty

Aching and longing for more

How I wish

I could be relieved

Fall on God's doorstep

And be received

But it seems he doesn't

Care for me anymore

So I'll be on my way

Live from the cradle to the grave

On my own

The Father replies:

Son you must understand

Why I would let you fall

It isn't because I don't love you

It's not that I want you to crawl

But the silence between us has grown

And your towers have grown so tall

"I let you choose; you have chosen"

You don't seem to want me at all

How I wish

To be reconciled

That you would just love me

With the heart of a child

But it seems you never

Want me around anymore

So you can have your way

Live from the cradle to the grave

Far from home

From here, the Father and son sing a duet. But you get the idea. Really, just watch the video, it’s only five minutes.

Sola Scriptura (2007)

This one tells the story of Martin Luther. I won’t go into too many details – Morse pushes really hard on the extremes of the Roman Catholic Church of the time, and none of this is my point.

But there are some beautiful lyrics which we can all embrace, I believe:

This is all I've asked for

This is all I've wanted to do

Is to live with you forever

And feel the beauty of your truth

This is all I've asked for

To live a life that's pleasing to you

And to be there ever after

You know my heart; you know it's true

And something that should give every faithful Christian comfort:

But there's something burning inside me

There's something deep within my heart

Telling me go on through

I am here with you, no matter where you are

So in my hour of pain and sorrow

Jesus will walk me through the dark

'Cause if I die with him I will rise again

With heaven in my heart

The Similitude of a Dream (2016)

This is based on the book, The Pilgrim’s Progress. It is the story of Christian, who must get out of the City of Destruction. But he has friends that tell him, no – don’t go. Christian replies: this makes no sense to me (really, a great song):

To live like the normal man

To run like an "also ran"

To sink down the waterhole

It makes no sense to me

To live in the common place

A cog in the paper chase

A heart set on cruise control

It makes no sense to me

He tells these friends that he won’t go back with them – he has drawn the line. Yet, he slips – and, with joy, he sings that he is going back to the City of Destruction. It seems the Pilgrim’s Progress is not a one-way journey. Yet, once again he returns to the right road.

Then, a beautiful song: The Breath of Angels:

With the breath of angels

Charging up the atmosphere

And all around me

Is the love that casts out all fear

And the breath of angels

Dries away every tear

There is much more to it; still, not a one-way journey as Christian faces many challenges. Eventually, he reaches the Father.

Conclusion

Every one of these albums comes with great musicianship and songwriting. Here, I have only offered a glimpse of how and why these works have helped me in My Christian Journey. It is safe to assume that all of the excerpts say something of my personal journey.