Ok…so I’m dating myself…just sitting here at Starbucks and this song pops up in my mind. So I started googling for lyrics and possible interpretations of the song…
If you want to listen to the song click on this youtube link: A Horse with no name
Here’s the lyrics:
On the first part of the journey
I was looking at all the life
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
There was sand and hills and rings
The first thing I met was a fly with a buzz
And the sky with no clouds
The heat was hot and the ground was dry
But the air was full of sound
I’ve been through the desert on a horse with no name
It felt good to be out of the rain
In the desert you can remember your name
‘Cause there ain’t no one for to give you no pain
La, la …
After two days in the desert sun
My skin began to turn red
After three days in the desert fun
I was looking at a river bed
And the story it told of a river that flowed
Made me sad to think it was dead
You see I’ve been through the desert on a horse with no name
It felt good to be out of the rain
In the desert you can remember your name
‘Cause there ain’t no one for to give you no pain
La, la …
After nine days I let the horse run free
‘Cause the desert had turned to sea
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
there was sand and hills and rings
The ocean is a desert with it’s life underground
And a perfect disguise above
Under the cities lies a heart made of ground
But the humans will give no love
You see I’ve been through the desert on a horse with no name
It felt good to be out of the rain
In the desert you can remember your name
‘Cause there ain’t no one for to give you no pain
La, la …
America released this song in 1971 and became the number 1 song on the Billboard charts for five straight weeks…the interpretation of the song lends itself to some drug reference because “horse” is a commonly used term for heroin. Unfortunately, when I was growing up in the ’70’s, my criteria for a song that I liked had to do more with the rhythm and beat of the song. Today, I am contemplating, the melody of the song came across my mind, especially the line…”I’ve been to the desert on a horse with no name…”
I am profoundly awakened by the word desert. It has so many connotations and meanings for people. You might feel as though you are in a desert. What do you rely on? Are you by yourself?
America writes that the desert experience was accompanied by the horse with no name. Understanding or gaining meaning from the lyrics of song leads to many interpretations. In the author’s experience, he is accompanied by a horse in the desert…in a sarcastic way, he lets horse go away because the desert had turned into an ocean…unfortunately, the humans give no love!
At this moment, I want to give you an alternative look. Acts 1:8 says, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth…”
1. I want to remind you that in whatever desert you are in, the Holy Spirit is with you! He won’t leave! And His love is everlasting!
2. I want to tell you that there is a community of Christ followers at GracePointe Community Church, Lee’s Summit, MO that is rooting for you and behind you. We are believing the best for you!
3. I want to encourage you to find room for another person to join you in your desert…He hasn’t left, you just haven’t connected with his presence and His Spirit…check out Hebrews 13:5
Come and join us this Sunday at 8:30 for coffee and donuts…worship starts at 8:45…See you at GracePointe!
