Scott Freeman

Secular Jesus Songs–Land of Hope and Dreams

I appreciate all of the suggestions the last time around. I’ve listened to them all and have put them in a playlist. Keep thinking and giving me suggestions.

This song is, to me, a song of salvation. It ranks as my second favorite Springsteen song (behind the live version of “Thunder Road”).

I remember hearing it the first time shortly after he unveiled it on tour. I was at the Staples Center in L.A. enjoying the boss when he rolled out this tune. I was immediately struck by the power and scope of this song.

Very often we get the idea that salvation is reserved for the one’s who “have it all figured out.” That salvation is based on merit or works.

But Springsteen reminds us that the promise of salvation is open to all.

Grab your ticket and your suitcase
Thunder’s rolling down the tracks
You don’t know where you’re goin’
But you know you won’t be back
Darlin’ if you’re weary
Lay your head upon my chest
We’ll take what we can carry
And we’ll leave the rest

Big Wheels rolling through fields
Where sunlight streams
Meet me in a land of hope and dreams

I will provide for you
And I’ll stand by your side
You’ll need a good companion for
This part of the ride
Leave behind your sorrows
Let this day be the last
Tomorrow there’ll be sunshine
And all this darkness past

Big wheels roll through fields
Where sunlight streams
Meet me in a land of hope and dreams

This train
Carries saints and sinners
This train
Carries losers and winners
This Train
Carries whores and gamblers
This Train
Carries lost souls
This Train
Dreams will not be thwarted
This Train
Faith will be rewarded
This Train
Hear the steel wheels singin’
This Train
Bells of freedom ringin’
This Train
Carries broken-hearted
This Train
Thieves and sweet souls departed
This Train
Carries fools and kings
This Train
All aboard

This Train
Dreams will not be thwarted
This Train
Faith will be rewarded
This Train
Hear the steel wheels singin’
This Train
Bells of freedom ringin’

Copyright © Bruce Springsteen

This hits close to what I envision heaven to be: a gathering of souls who were beaten upon the wheels of living.

People who found little hope in this life but clung to the promise of something beyond.

People who struggled, languished and were forgotten.

People who needed the one True Companion to see them through the despair, loneliness and injustice of this life.

“Tomorrow there’ll be sunshine and all this darkness past”

May we bring a little bit of that salvation into the hearts and lives of those marginalized and cast aside.

Thoughts or other suggestions?