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"Jethro Tull" is as much a project of Ian Anderson as a band. Of course, after no many years, there really is no band anymore - but, in any event, "Jethro Tull" was a long-running alternative (there is no other way to describe Tull) band from about 1967 to the mid 80's.
Ian penned many songs that called into question just what he thought of God and religion. "Wind Up God" could ALMOST have been contemporary Christian music - with lines like:
...So I left there in the morning
with their God tucked underneath my arm --
their half-***** smiles and their book of rules.
So I asked this God a question
and by way of firm reply,
He said -- I'm not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays.
So to my old headmaster (and to anyone who cares):
before I'm through I'd like to say my prayers --
I don't believe you:
you had the whole damn thing all wrong --
He's not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays.
and "My God":
People, what have you done?
Locked him in his golden cage, golden cage
Made him bend to your religion
Him resurrected from the grave, from the grave
He is the God of nothing
If that's all that you can see
You are the God of everything
He's inside you and me
So lean upon him gently
And don't call on him to save you
From your social graces
And the sins you used to waive, you used to waive
The bloody church of England
In chains of history
Requests your earthly presence
At the vicarage for tea
And the graven image you know who
With his plastic crucifix, he's got him fixed
Confuses me as to who and where and why?
As to how he gets his kicks, he gets his kicks
Confessing to the endless sin
The endless whining sounds
You'll be praying till next Thursday
To all the gods that you can count
I've never thought he was a Christian, I saw his songs as more of a cry against organized religion. Turns out, I was not that far off the mark.
Taking another look as one of his songs, "A Christmas Song" where he takes a shot at Christmas, it seems like he believes in Jesus and is offended at what Christmas has become:
Once in Royal David's City stood a lonely cattle shed,
Where a mother held her baby.
You'd do well to remember the things He later said.
When you're stuffing yourselves at the Christmas parties,
You'll just laugh when I tell you to take a running jump.
You're missing the point I'm sure does not need making
That Christmas spirit is not what you drink.
So how can you laugh when your own mother's hungry,
And how can you smile when the reasons for smiling are wrong?
And if I just messed up your thoughtless pleasures,
Remember, if you wish, this is just a Christmas song.
But I just found an interview of him from last year where he says:
"A Christmas Song, though, was about the way in which the real relevance of Christmas has been lost. We forget it was Jesus' birthday and also the fundamentals of the story. They've been submerged by the celebratory aspect. I am not a Christian, but I am a strong supporter of Christianity."
The only celebrity I'd like to meet face to face is Ian. I've often lamented that I won't see him in heaven. But now, I wonder, just how far gone is he? His heart does NOT sound hard to me, not at all.
Found the quote here:
http://teamrock.com/feature/2015-07-21/ian-anderson-s-favourite-jethro-tull-songs
Ian penned many songs that called into question just what he thought of God and religion. "Wind Up God" could ALMOST have been contemporary Christian music - with lines like:
...So I left there in the morning
with their God tucked underneath my arm --
their half-***** smiles and their book of rules.
So I asked this God a question
and by way of firm reply,
He said -- I'm not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays.
So to my old headmaster (and to anyone who cares):
before I'm through I'd like to say my prayers --
I don't believe you:
you had the whole damn thing all wrong --
He's not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays.
and "My God":
People, what have you done?
Locked him in his golden cage, golden cage
Made him bend to your religion
Him resurrected from the grave, from the grave
He is the God of nothing
If that's all that you can see
You are the God of everything
He's inside you and me
So lean upon him gently
And don't call on him to save you
From your social graces
And the sins you used to waive, you used to waive
The bloody church of England
In chains of history
Requests your earthly presence
At the vicarage for tea
And the graven image you know who
With his plastic crucifix, he's got him fixed
Confuses me as to who and where and why?
As to how he gets his kicks, he gets his kicks
Confessing to the endless sin
The endless whining sounds
You'll be praying till next Thursday
To all the gods that you can count
I've never thought he was a Christian, I saw his songs as more of a cry against organized religion. Turns out, I was not that far off the mark.
Taking another look as one of his songs, "A Christmas Song" where he takes a shot at Christmas, it seems like he believes in Jesus and is offended at what Christmas has become:
Once in Royal David's City stood a lonely cattle shed,
Where a mother held her baby.
You'd do well to remember the things He later said.
When you're stuffing yourselves at the Christmas parties,
You'll just laugh when I tell you to take a running jump.
You're missing the point I'm sure does not need making
That Christmas spirit is not what you drink.
So how can you laugh when your own mother's hungry,
And how can you smile when the reasons for smiling are wrong?
And if I just messed up your thoughtless pleasures,
Remember, if you wish, this is just a Christmas song.
But I just found an interview of him from last year where he says:
"A Christmas Song, though, was about the way in which the real relevance of Christmas has been lost. We forget it was Jesus' birthday and also the fundamentals of the story. They've been submerged by the celebratory aspect. I am not a Christian, but I am a strong supporter of Christianity."
The only celebrity I'd like to meet face to face is Ian. I've often lamented that I won't see him in heaven. But now, I wonder, just how far gone is he? His heart does NOT sound hard to me, not at all.
Found the quote here:
http://teamrock.com/feature/2015-07-21/ian-anderson-s-favourite-jethro-tull-songs
