I was asked a few weeks ago to listen to and contemplate the meaning of the Simon and Garfunkel song, The Sound of Silence. To try and understand the message contained in the lyrics.
Over the years, I have heard and read a whole bunch of ideologies associated with the song that was released shortly after the assignation of John F. Kennedy. That although Art and Paul claimed the song was written based solely on the fact that people have forgotten how to communicate with each other, it earmarked the ruin of freedom speech amidst government control.
That hasn’t happened, yet. As a matter of fact, for one to use their right to freedom of speech has, in my opinion, become more widely accepted, thus showcasing the large divide we have become on this planet. A large divide that we have been conditioned to become - thus the voices that are ringing are not speaking their truth, they are speaking only what they are taught to speak.
Listen to the words via my current favorite version by the band Disturbed: The Sound of Silence video or read them The Sound of Silence lyrics . Let me know what you think.
Some people believe the song is recounting the fall an ancient civilization where verbal communication wasn’t used because they could read each other’s thoughts. There was no suppression of secrets. Everyone wore their hearts on their sleeves, until one dared to speak out loud and break the silence - thus they fell.
Others believe that it tells the story of the second coming of Christ and how we are doomed to not recognize him when he comes.
The three things I listed are the presumptions I was already aware of prior to being asked to define the true meaning behind the lyrics. All in all, most of Simon and Garfunkel’s songs have spiritual context: The Boxer, Bridge Over Troubled Waters. I Am a Rock, and even Homeward Bound - and more. All are also relative to social condition. Dare I say that all the songs ever written are. They are poetry in motion - most divinely guided to teach a truth that we rarely grasp onto - “words like silent raindrops” fall - to no avail - perhaps even to the lyricist themselves.
So, why has my friend singled out The Sound of Silence? Because of its relevance to her specific message, I assume. She worked for several politicians and witnessed things that have been kept silent. Reasons why the social constructs are what they are, and no one is big enough to change them. Things that potentially keep the powers that be dangling like puppets on a string. Anyone who dare cut the strings and act on their own accord - essentially for the benefit of the entire world is not welcome to set on the thrones (of any nation). Life as we are living it today has been strategically designed, keeping us from the truth that is “written on the subway walls. And tenement halls.” We are worshiping a bright neon light that cannot save us from our own demise, because man has contained it in a neat little package called religion - disguised with the banner: In God We Trust.
We have all heard the words “The Kingdom of God is within.” They are the words of Jesus as written in the book of Luke - shoring the notion that the Kingdom of God is a physical place and it will not come with observable signs. Why? Because it is for all of us to find within ourselves - through our very own personal - one on one relationship with God, The Universe, the Creator - however you want to refer to the greater power that flows through each and every living thing. There is no one greater than yourself that will get you to that place. There is no relic or brick and mortar building that is any closer to heaven’s gate than your very own body that is your very own flesh and blood church.
When Jesus stood before Pilate he proclaimed: “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is not of this realm… You say that I am a king. For this reason, I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth.” For his knowledge of the truth, he was crucified. These words remain in the Bible because no one - after all this time - has a full understanding of the true meaning - religious leaders have no idea what Jesus was saying - to them it was merely an opportunity to bestow upon themselves the authority of being the Body of Christ. That no one can get to the Kingdom of God, except through them. Very few have allowed themselves to receive, understand and testify to the truth of who we really are. For ages it has been kept at bay, lingering - for if anyone goes there - steps out of line - even in part - they are crucified - silenced.
I don’t know about you, but I want to know. I want us to remember how to communicate - to be one with one another - to know why we are here. I want to step into the greatness of all that I am - into the truth of world - which goes far beyond my talents and my gifts. Far beyond my knowing that we all have this amazing power within us. The power to perform miracles. To heal and love one another and ourselves. It’s been said that if we know the totality of it all, it will overwhelm us - as if it were a bad thing. If it is of God, how can it not be good? I say - even if I walk alone - let me be overjoyed.
Be love. Always, be love.
