A Walk with Aqualung – Slipstream

Greetings Dear Reader,

Again we are confronted with a very short song with great impact on me.  I chased wealth for a time in my life.  Would that I could undo the damage done by that choice. 

Again those who attend the dead are seen as “spiritless” here.  This is not the only time that the lack of spirit in the trappings of religion is pointed out by Ian Anderson.  It is one of those separations that he makes clear.  There is a clear difference between Jesus and the constructs that have developed around him. 

We all will be separated from life at some time.  Ian seems to be saying that we can choose to paddle out of the mess.  We can choose between religion and following Jesus.  I am not saying that he intends that fine a point on it, but it is what makes the difference for me three years down the road from 1971.

I feel the interlude between Hymn 43 and Locomotive breath is so important.  Remember that we started out as one of those observing Aqualung in all his desperation.  We see here that in his need there are also those dying with plenty.  The church could do much more than it does to aid those in need.  It chooses not to do so.   It is not “the church”, however, that is culpable.  It is me.  It is you.  It is anyone who is part of the church and allows this dichotomy to exist.  That, Dear Reader is a mess that we can paddle out of which we can paddle if we choose to do so.

Slipstream – Ian Anderson

Well the lush separation enfolds you

And the products of wealth

Push you along on the bow wave

Of their spiritless undying selves.

And you press on God's waiter your last dime

As he hands you the bill.

And you spin in the slipstream

Tideless, unreasoning

Paddle right out of the mess.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store."