SPIRIT IN THE SKY

[Jeff Thorpe]

SPIRIT IN THE SKY

© Jeff Thorpe September 2020

“When I die and they lay me to rest,
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
When I lay me down to die
Goin’ up to the Spirit in the Sky”.

Prophetic lyrics of Norman Greenbaum’s 1969 Hit,
a song which has enjoyed phenomenal success to this day,
45 plus million You Tube viewings, I have to admit
each time I hear it, I inevitably sway.

“ A rock n roll song written by a Jew about Christianity,
so good, an atheist would love it”
this comment just about summarizes humanity
that, in several other ways is irrevocably split.

Dubbed a “one hit wonder” which Greenbaum recognises,
its royalties have sustained him for the last fifty years,
music fans resonate with the aura the song symbolises,
invariably swinging between jubilation and tears.

The song has featured in some forty movies and tv shows,
Apollo 13 and Oceans 11 to name but two,
ten grand a pop for a tune which took 15 minutes to compose,
I think any wonder Norman’s grateful, wouldn’t you?

Vietnam War vets relate the tune with helicopters used there,
the “Spirit in the Sky” saving them from rattling situations,
it’s frequently played at funerals, as good as a prayer,
popular even for those who lack religious foundations.

The song met the ire of Christian fundamentalists on release
through the words “never been a sinner, I never sinned”,
chiding Norman’s perceived attempt as God’s mouthpiece,
his reply voiced no disrespect intended, no need to rescind.

A distinctive melody that is always recollected,
Spirit in the Sky’s gained fans through three generations,
unlike many “one hit wonders” it’s never been rejected,
critics of the song forced to swallow their accusations.