From: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org (shindell-list-digest) To: shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Subject: shindell-list-digest V12 #292 Reply-To: shindell-list@smoe.org Sender: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk shindell-list-digest Sunday, February 3 2013 Volume 12 : Number 292 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: [RS] Not familiar with either song? [Vanessa Wills Subject: Re: [RS] Not familiar with either song? "Ascent" is one of my favorite songs, period, which I guess almost goes without saying since it's one of my favorite RS songs and Richard is one of my favorite songwriters, period. I always thought "Ascent" took place in a death row cell, not long before a scheduled execution. The protagonist is a death row inmate who acknowledges his guilt. He insists that the actions that led him here defy easy explanation--even he does not seem to fully understand the reasons for the pain he's caused. Today is execution day and when he woke up, he realized something mysterious happened--he'd been touched by divine grace and knows now that he will partake in eternal life. This is all he knows--it is truly simply the mystery of grace, undeserved, but granted all the same. He feels so unworthy of this spiritual freedom that he likens himself to Barabbas, who similarly found freedom just when he expected death (albeit, earthly freedom). The song contains the line, "Read me what the Saviour said/To that thief upon the Cross", although I don't think there is any record in the New Testament of Jesus speaking to Barabbas. (Of course, Barabbas was most likely not a thief but an insurrectionist. There's even some reason to doubt that Jesus and Barabbas were two different people and not one and the same "Jesus bar Abbas" or "Jesus, Son of the Father", as Barabbas's full name is recorded in the Gospel of St. Matthew as "*Jesus* Barabbas". But this is irrelevant to the song.) That's how I've always heard "Ascent". My favorite part may be the rise of Richard's voice on that line, "Before my soul flies from that chamber". I never found the song scary myself, but rather poignant and hopeful. Of course, YMMV! - --Vanessa On Sat, Feb 2, 2013 at 10:03 PM, Laurence Krulik wrote: > I still have no idea what Ascent is about, but it's scary and awesome. > Ascent for the win! ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 3 Feb 2013 07:31:06 -0500 From: Carol Love Subject: Re: [RS] Not familiar with either song? Laurence K wrote: > Here are both songs on Spotify. > > I just listened to them again. I still have no idea what Ascent is about, > but it's scary and awesome. Ascent for the win! > .......Ascent is about a man on death row. Gritz and I both agree (REALLY!!!!) that it would have been perfect for "Dead Man Walking". *Ciao!* ...Carol ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 3 Feb 2013 08:08:39 -0500 From: Laurence Krulik Subject: Re: [RS] Not familiar with either song? Ah thansk guys. With that interpretation, TV Light doesn't hold a candle to Ascent. Sent Wirelessly On Feb 3, 2013, at 7:28 AM, Vanessa Wills wrote: > "Ascent" is one of my favorite songs, period, which I guess almost goes > without saying since it's one of my favorite RS songs and Richard is one of > my favorite songwriters, period. > > I always thought "Ascent" took place in a death row cell, not long before a > scheduled execution. The protagonist is a death row inmate who acknowledges > his guilt. He insists that the actions that led him here defy easy > explanation--even he does not seem to fully understand the reasons for the > pain he's caused. > > Today is execution day and when he woke up, he realized something > mysterious happened--he'd been touched by divine grace and knows now that > he will partake in eternal life. This is all he knows--it is truly simply > the mystery of grace, undeserved, but granted all the same. He feels so > unworthy of this spiritual freedom that he likens himself to Barabbas, who > similarly found freedom just when he expected death (albeit, earthly > freedom). > > The song contains the line, "Read me what the Saviour said/To that thief > upon the Cross", although I don't think there is any record in the New > Testament of Jesus speaking to Barabbas. (Of course, Barabbas was most > likely not a thief but an insurrectionist. There's even some reason to > doubt that Jesus and Barabbas were two different people and not one and the > same "Jesus bar Abbas" or "Jesus, Son of the Father", as Barabbas's full > name is recorded in the Gospel of St. Matthew as "*Jesus* Barabbas". But > this is irrelevant to the song.) > > That's how I've always heard "Ascent". My favorite part may be the rise of > Richard's voice on that line, "Before my soul flies from that chamber". I > never found the song scary myself, but rather poignant and hopeful. Of > course, YMMV! > > --Vanessa > > > On Sat, Feb 2, 2013 at 10:03 PM, Laurence Krulik wrote: > >> I still have no idea what Ascent is about, but it's scary and awesome. >> Ascent for the win! ------------------------------ End of shindell-list-digest V12 #292 ************************************