Rock Me on the Water

Rock Me on the Water

Oh people, look among you
It's there your hope must lie
There's a sea bird above you
Gliding in one place like Jesus in the sky
We all must do the best we can
And then hang on to that Gospel plow
When my life is over, I'm going
To stand before the Father
But the sisters of the sun are going
To rock me on the water now

Rock me on the water
Sister will you soothe my fevered brow
Rock me on the water, maybe I'll remember
Maybe I'll remember how
Rock me on the water
The wind is with me now
So rock me on the water
I'll get down to the sea somehow

This Jackson Browne song was Sunday’s call to worship at Peace UCC Santa Cruz, sung by Lori Rivera and the fabulous church jazz band.  On their annual “Gathering of the Waters” service everyone was invited to bring up some water that had nourished them this summer, pour it into a common bowl, and each lift up a prayer of hope inspired by water.  Pastor Yael Lachman reminded us to be “grate-ful” for water, because water blesses us with “great full-ness.”

“Rock me on the water….I’ll get down to the sea somehow.” For this aging hippie it was a surprise and blessing to hear this song in church.  Now as a Blue Theologian, I’m glad to find another anthem about the healing power of going down to the sea.

Below is the rest of the song, from the top.  Check out Browne singing it on YouTube. (Browne is a deeply spiritual guy, has sung with a gospel choir, wrote a great song “The Rebel Jesus” and supports many progressive causes.) 

In these days of “fires burning, towers turning, homeless souls” I recommend we get down to the sea somehow.  And try to hang on to that Gospel plow (That’s the title of an old gospel song, which Bob Dylan covered also.  Luke 9:62, when you are plowing, don’t look back.  Pay attention – “Keep your hand on that plow, hold on.”)

Oh people, look around you
The signs are everywhere
You've left it for somebody other than you
To be the one to care
You're lost inside your houses
There's no time to find you now
While your walls are burning
And your towers are turning
I'm going to leave you here
And try to get down to the sea somehow

The road is filled with homeless souls
Every woman, child and man
Who have no idea where they will go
But they'll help you if they can
Now everyone must have some thought
That's going to pull them through somehow
Well the fires are raging hotter and hotter
But the sisters of the sun are going
To rock me on the water now

Rock me on the water
Sister will you soothe my fevered brow
Rock me on the water
I'll get down to the sea somehow

___________

Visit bluetheology.com for more on our Blue Theology retreats and service trips.  I post these reflections every Wednesday.  Several of the Peace UCC worshippers said their water inspired intention was to attend, with members of all 3 Santa Cruz County UCC churches, and me, a full day Ocean Pilgrimage Retreat Saturday Oct. 21.  We’ll gather at La Selva UCC, walk to Manresa Beach, do spiritual practice and a beach clean up service project there, then walk back to the church a different way (like the magi) for sustainable seafood lunch and small ocean spirituality groups celebrating the ocean in music and movement and writing.  Join us!