If I were to rank the craziest covers of a CCM album from my youth, I think number one spot would have to go to “King of Fools” by the band Delirious? When I first saw it drop at my local Christian book store I wondered, “Why on Earth someone put the king of trash TV talk shows, Jerry Springer, wearing cheap novelty glasses, on the cover of a Christian album?” It was weird, it was eclectic, and it made no sense, but it was certainly though provoking and people talked about it, which was part of the band’s goal. He song itself “King of Fools “Was a call to believers to be seen as ‘Kings of Fools” for following Christ by the eyes of the world. Thus, those who are completely and totally sold out for Jesus, perhaps should be as ‘off” to the world as Jerry Springer.
However, it was two of their other albums titles, “The Cutting Edge” and it’s sequels, demonstrated just who and what Delirious? was meant to be. This progressive rock group was meant to represent the “cutting edge” of worship music for a new generation of teens. It was the kind of music you shared with your friends to show that worship music wasn’t all pipe organs and hand bells. One of their songs “My Glorious” alone, included one of the sickest rock guitar solos of that era, on par with Bono and the Edge of U2. Meanwhile there song “Did you Feel the Mountains Tremble“ opened with a digeridoo solo that captured something “wild” and “untame” about the nature of the Risen Christ.
But more importantly their style could never be pinned down to one genre, as they could go from a moving ballad like “Lord You have my Heart” to the American Bluegrass infused “The Happy Song”that felt like it was right out of O Brother Where art Thou.Led by lead singer and lyricist Martin Smith, they were behind some of the new Millenniums most popular praise anthems ‘I could Sing of Your Love Forever”, “Shout to the North”, and when the group later disbanded, Smith continued to pen powerful praise anthems, including the song he is perhaps best known for “The Heart of Worship.”
Thus, it made sense that when contributing a song for the Inspired by Album for the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, it would lean more into the “worship” angle for the story. In fact, it’s the only one to feature the words “Hallelujah”. Most have no idea what the term means anymore, perhaps due to its flippant use in pop-culture. The George Harrison song “My Sweet Lord” even uses the word interchangeably with “Parabraham”, “Hare Rama”, “Guruve Nama”, “Tasmiya Shree”and “Hare Krishna”, ultimately making it feel like nonsense, to the point he could have swapped out Hallelujah with “Benihana” and it would have felt the same. However, in its original Hebrew, the word “Hallelujah” or “Hallelu Yahweh”, literally means “To Praise the Lord.”
I’ll admit, it might sound like a strange term to associate with a fantasy novel. After all, in Harry Potter while characters may use a Latin-esque flavor to their spell casting, and in Lord of the Rings magic is akin to science, we very rarely if ever hear any one praise a character in in fantasy literature. The closest we get is the use of “May the Force be with you” in Star Wars, or the prayers to Ewa in James Cameron’s Avatar series. Only time it feels like we hear the word “Hallelujah” in a fantasy story is in the movie Shrek when we hear the cover of the Rufus Wainright cover of the song Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen which is probably not the most biblically or theologically accurate application of the word. Fantasy is about magic, mystery, adventure and heroic quests, praise doesn’t seem to be part of the equation.
However, Narnia, unlike other fantasy stories has a very present, and very real deity right there in the middle of the adventure that the children grow to know and understand, in the Great Lion Aslan. He is a character worthy of their praise and honor Who makes a powerful difference in their lives. In the original novel the minute the name of Aslan is mentioned to the children by Mr. Beaver, a change begins to occur in them. While they each feel a different sensation, the fact is the name of Aslan, the Lord in the land of Narnia, ultimately makes them stronger and brings out heir better natures. As they grow closer to him and discover his ways not only does that strength seem to increase in their lives, it tightens their bond as a family, and makes them better able to deliver Narnia.
Aslan, without a doubt, is meant to be the Lord Himself, Jesus Christ, and of this Lewis was abundantly clear. He isn’t just a big talking magical kitty cat. Nor is He just a wise mentor figure. He’s something far more powerful than that. He’s God, and in their song “Stronger”, Delirious? demonstrates an understanding how Aslan’s Presence in the lives of the children does indeed make them stronger, just as the presence of Jesus in the lives of believers can do the same for them. And more importantly, by placing the word “hallelujah” in it’s original context of praise, the demonstrate how Aslan, and Jesus, is worthy of praise, if for no other reason than the profound difference He makes in the lives of his followers.
Retro Narnia Rocks Playlist:
Side A
“Stronger”
“Did You feel The Mountains Tremble”
Side B
“I Could Sing of Your Love Forever”
“My Glorious”
PLUS!
“The Heart of Worship.”
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