Music carved a peaceful path in my tumultuous history like a lifeline that saved me from the abyss
Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel” marks a 15 year journey to find peace through music, film, and poetry. I’ve always had a soft spot for Irish female singers–I know McLachlan is Canadian, but I envision her as Irish descent. In 1984, trying to recover from 12 years of physical abuse, I clung to the lyrics of This Mortal Coil‘s “Song of the Siren.”
“Did I dream you dreamed about me?” offered me an escape from reality in the arms of some nurturing goddess.
I didn’t picture this goddess as bald, but when Sinead O’Connor sang “Troy,” I screamed in desperation, “I will rise, and you’ll see me return/being what I am, there is no other Troy for me to burn.”
Then in 1988, God sent me another lifeline in the form of Wim Wenders Wings of Desire. The world was populated by angels, and I was sure that I had one watching over me.
But, like Tears for Fears sang, “memories fade, but the scars still linger,” so it wasn’t until 10 years later when the re-make City of Angels came out that I accepted the possibility that peace is possible without the need for a surrogate mother to heal my wounds.
“Angel” was part of the soundtrack for City of Angels. The song brought me peace; it still does. Peace is always here and so are angels. In my heart of hearts I believe this.
Spend all your time waiting
For that second chance,
For a break that would make it okay.There’s always some reason
To feel not good enough,
And it’s hard, at the end of the day.I need some distraction,
Oh, beautiful release.
Memories seep from my veins.Let me be empty,
Oh, and weightless, and maybe
I’ll find some peace tonight.[Chorus]
In the arms of the angel,
Fly away from here,
From this dark, cold hotel room,
And the endlessness that you fear.
You are pulled from the wreckage,
Of your silent reverie.
You’re in the arms of the angel,
May you find some comfort here.
Thank you for reading, empathizing, and/or sharing.
Can you trace a musical journey in your life? Please share.
This post is part of Bloggers for Peace Monthly Peace Challenge: One Good Thing About Music… To participate please click the badge on the right. This has been my favorite Peace Challenge. I love all the music and emotion that we are spreading throughout cyberspace. Please check out some posts below.
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