Oh, welcome to the Notes where the bass drum has the very, next loud sound...
THUMP! THUMP, THUMP! THUMP, THUMP!
It's Tuesday and we hope you are coping with this long, long, dumb lock-down...
THUMP! THUMP, THUMP! THUMP, THUMP!
Oh, don't you want to see all the things that we have in store for you...
THUMP! THUMP, THUMP! THUMP, THUMP!
Keep reading there is more coming down as we pass this interlude...
YEAH!!!
Welcome to Tuesday's Musical Notes where we are constantly on the lookout for things that will make your day livelier, make your thoughts lovelier, and your smile likelier! It's Tuesday, the jig is up, The Notes are out...
For a song that is so well known, "Renegade" by Styx (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Boat on the River" (Styx), Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Why Me?" (Styx), Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Show Me the Way" (Styx), Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Mr. Roboto" (Styx)), only made it as high as #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the spring of 1979. That #16 peak was enough to catapult the next single by Styx, "Babe", all the way to #1 and make "Renegade" a staple at "Classic Rock" radio.
Written by guitarist Tommy Shaw, "Renegade" is the rare occasion in the Styx catalog where the principal writer of the song does not have the main guitar solo. Shaw gave the solo to guitarist James (JY) Young. Young would, later on, returned the favor by giving the guitar solo on his song "Half- Penny, Two- Penny" to Shaw on the 1981 Paradise Theater album.
"Renegade" continues to be a fan favorite at Styx concerts and can be seen, as in our video above, at the end or as the encore to a concert by the Chicago based band.
"Renegade" is written in the first person about a man who has committed murder and is now awaiting his punishment. As such, it has been used by television to not only bring about that 70's feel to a show but be the backdrop for highlighting a "scoundrel" or a scandalous moment. (Think Supernatural)
In fact, "Renegade" might very well be used as a soundtrack to part of the life of the Biblical character Moses. "Oh, mama, I'm in fear for my life from the long arm of the law. (let's face it "the long arm of Pharoah, just wouldn't be the same...)
We don't know much about Moses after he was discovered by Pharaoh's daughter and given his name until the next part of Moses' story which we find in today's Scripture. Moses, after having been raised by his mother and at the very least was associated with the house of Pharaoh, has one of his most notorious "scoundrel" moments. Moses sees an Egyptian taskmaster mistreating a Hebrew laborer, he checks to see that no one is around, kills the Egyptian, the gets rid of the evidence by burying him in the sand. THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP.
Moses, who would later pass down the "Thou shall not kill" law from God, has just committed murder. He thought his crime was not noticed, but the next day, he came upon two Hebrew men who were fighting. Infuriated that his "brothers" could not get along, Moses attempted to put a stop to the brawl, when he was accosted with the fact that his deed of murdering the Egyptian was known. Pharaoh found out about it as well and set about to have Moses eliminated. The jig was up, the news was out and Moses had to run.
Moses found himself in the land of Midian. He was a renegade, on the run from the law, fearful for his life, and in a strange land. But there was a redemption plan in motion by which Moses would be astonished.
Most of the modern world has heard of the name Moses and associate him with The Ten Commandments. They even give credence to the fact that God gave Moses the commandments and appointed Moses the responsibility of leading as many as 2 million people out of Egypt to freedom and a promised land. What they tend to forget is that Moses was a renegade. He was a murderer and wanted by the law. Even though Moses had done these horrific things, God used him as one of the greatest leaders we read of in Scripture. Murderer to Man of God. Lawbreaker to Lawgiver. Renegade who had it made to Reverend who leaned on God. That's quite the transition. That is exactly what God can do with a heart that is repentant, submissive, and willing.
The point? You don't have to fear for your life even though there's a high price on your head. The lawman has said "get him dead or alive" and it's for sure he wants you dead. But there is hope. There is an escape. There is a place for you to run. There is a way by which the law that convicts you can no longer have any power over you. The price on your head has been paid. The person who paid it even wants to adopt you as His own.
Nevermore to go astray. The judge will have revenge today, but it won't be on you. IF, you accept the pardon that awaits. IF, you turn away from the bad things that you do. IF, you awake each morning with the goal of being more like Jesus, the boss of your life, than you were yesterday. No longer the wanted man...You are pardoned!!!
The jig is up, the news is out, they've finally found you...what will you do?
THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP...
Serving HIM by serving You,
randy
<><
No comments:
Post a Comment