The Beach Boys Keep Singing That Same Song

A recent discovery from the bottomless well that is the original Wilson brothers, this video […]

David Zahl / 4.6.09

A recent discovery from the bottomless well that is the original Wilson brothers, this video touches on many of the themes that we like to explore on this blog: strength in weakness, broken vessels, singing “that same song” (you know the one…) over and over, awesome rock n roll, sweet outfits, etc. They really say it all:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFeMd3HRtTg&w=600]
Gregorian chants were a real big thing!

Quick note for all you newcomers out there: Part of the inspiration behind our name comes from the peculiar behavior of the mimus polyglottus itself. As you probably know, the mockingbird gets its name from its ability to mimic the calls of other birds, i.e. to repeat what it has heard, a la Michael Scott in that classic episode of The Office. In a similar though hopefully much less annoying way, Mockingbird seeks to repeat the message it has heard (one articulated particularly well here). Or at the very least, to connect the core concerns of that message with the realities of everyday life, the two being one and the same after all. So we are always on the lookout for fresh and creative expressions of “that same (old) song”, new avenues for the message of God’s grace and forgiveness to break into our busy lives and well-defended hearts. All this is grounded, of course, in the belief that people do not move beyond their need to hear the Gospel, regardless of where they are in their life or faith. Brian Wilson being a particularly profound case in point.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RW8PFJTJJY&w=600]

For further reflection on the spiritual and theological depth of The Beach Boys, a sermon preached by yours truly in March 2011:

 

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COMMENTS


14 responses to “The Beach Boys Keep Singing That Same Song”

  1. DZ says:

    Eat your heart out, Mike Burton!

  2. simeon zahl says:

    The Mockingbird theme song!!!

  3. PZ says:

    The Mockingbird theme song.
    And Richard Rountree.
    And the Seventies.
    We were there.
    U2, albeit on the way.

  4. Jeff Hual says:

    Ah, DZ, like Gibson’s Passion, this is so painful that I can’t look away!

  5. mike burton says:

    Apparently my use of the law towards DZ, “the Beach Boys suck”, has produced the opposite effect of that which I intended.

  6. Aaron M. G. Zimmerman says:

    What’s up with the turban? And does any does anyone know the story of this song and recording session? What is Double Rock Church and how did the BB find it?

  7. Anonymous says:

    Great explanation Dave!

  8. burton says:

    This song has been stuck in my head all day long.
    Thank you David Zahl.

  9. Colton says:

    The piano player even has birds on his shirt!

  10. Anonymous says:

    one DZ’s best posts!

  11. ross says:

    i agree with burton. đŸ™‚

  12. burton says:

    Aha! A convert.

    Does this classify as “schism” yet?

  13. […] After being in the ministry for 50 years, The Rev. Dr. Stephen Tyng (who, from 1845-1878, was rector of St. George’s Episcopal Church, where we hold our annual NYC Conference) was asked to deliver a series of lectures to the School of Theology in Boston University entitled “The Christian Pastor.” This particular quote comes from his lecture on the topic of preaching. He never intended to have them published, but evidently the students were so blown away by the whole presentation that they insisted the talks be made available. It’s always reminded me of the mission of Mockingbird: […]

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