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Who am I
To the rabble and the wise?
Am I just a young and
shallow face
that years erase?
Am I more than that?
Oh, do they wonder
how can I
Bring the world beneath this guise?
In the silence of my languished soul
Lies a truth unknown
Oh, yes I am
I am just an ugly man
Alone
I work no day
with self deception
All that I am
is one common grain of sand
But the sun does rise
for every man alive
And how my heart is clear
'cause I have from what I do
And I do just what I am
Oh, no man is born a starless sky
'neath his naked hide
Lord, yes I am
Maybe I'm a lucky man
Inside
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This song had very special significance to me when it was released in 1976, and for decades, I had considered it my overall favorite song. Today, it has even more significance.
Although I was raised as a Christian, I didn't open my eyes until 2005. Now as I apply the lyrics to more of my life, the questions Gino asks are even more pertinent, and the answers deeper.
I think it's interesting that Gino writes with conviction "I am just an ugly man", but writes with some doubt "Maybe I'm a lucky man". At first glance, this may appear to be a flaw, but as I see it, it is the truth.
I am an ugly man - a sinner (even if that's not what Gino intended). In order to receive salvation, I must acknowledge that. But what else must I do to enter the kingdom of God? If I do make it, it will be by the grace of God, not by anything I can or will do. I hope I go to heaven, but I'm not sure. I often have my doubts. It's God's decision, and there are so many people who are better Christians than I am. So maybe I'm a lucky man, in that I at least have a chance to meet my maker. But maybe I won't make it. In any case, whatever good deeds I do on this earth, I receive the rewards here, not after I die.
No matter what happens at the judgement, I am, indeed, a lucky man - blessed in countless ways, most of which I will never even recognize.
And this, I adopt as my theme song.
— Jonas Maxwell
January 5, 2010
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