When I think about favorite songs for my daily song of the day, different things come into my mind, and often it is either the lyrics in general or perhaps just one lyric. I began thinking about some of my favorite lyrics in songs. Sometimes songs I like have lyrics that are ok but nothing special, and sometimes I can find a great lyric in a song that I may not like as much.
I decided that I would make my song of the day on Fridays into Favorite Lyric Friday, and I will start off with what (in my mind) may be the greatest lyric of all time. I have mentioned Les Miserables here before and the very last line of the story itself is perhaps the most moving and wonderful lyric that anyone could have written.
The book Les Miserables, by Victor Hugo is mostly a political commentary on his time. The Broadway musical is mostly about fate and faith in God. Without giving away the story (if there is anyone out there who has not seen it), the basic story has concluded and we get an epilogue. The main characters come center stage and sing the final words of the story (there is a final song after that), “to love another person is to see the face of God.” Even as I type this now, I admit that I am moved by these words.
I don’t hide the fact that I believe in God. I feel God in things I do and see. I have felt God on the streets of New York City at 5 am on a totally deserted Madison Avenue, and at camp, looking over a still lake before everyone wakes up. Abraham Joshua Heschel called this radical amazement. He said that each person will have a moment in their lives where the amazement of what they see and hear and feel allows them to feel Gods presence.
But to truly see God, I do believe that you need to love. I see God in my wife. I see God in my children and I see God in my closest friends. Perhaps this is radical amazement taken to its extreme, but when you love you bring God closer to your life.
Here is a clip of the epilogue from the 10th anniversary concert of Les Miserables.
Enjoy!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzCSb6OnkZA&hl=en]
Phil, this entry is extremely moving. I REALLY think you so eloquently explained everything. I got chill-bumps reading it! Thanks!
And, neither Patrick nor I have seen Les Miserables, but it is coming to the Fox in Atlanta this year and we’re going to see it.
Thanks for your kind words. I have been feeling more spiritual these days with Passover coming and on top of that, my dad’s aunt died last night (she was the last link to her generation and I will probably write about it on Monday).
I think I might actually be getting better at writing! Anyway, if you are going to see Les Miz, DONT WATCH THE CLIP! If you have, it kinda gives a bit away, but you may have known the basic story anyway.
Thank you for this lovely site, i hope you have time to visit mine.. (: http://www.welovelyrics.com/