Worldly Music at the World-Famous Bluebird Cafe

Dim lights.  A beautiful fried catfish sandwich, fries and a pickle.  Tiny tables.  Mingling with another vacationing family who came from Michigan.  Musicians tuning their guitars.  This was the highlight of our recent family vacation to Nashville, as we settled down for live performances at the world-famous Bluebird Cafe.  The list of performers who had entertained at the Bluebird is a virtual Who's Who of country music, including notables such as Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, Brooks & Dunn, and Taylor Swift, and on this particular evening, we were literally within elbow's length from four talented songwriters, each with a guitar in hand and ready to perform samples of recent works.  There was palpable anxiety among a couple of the younger musicians as they made their final preparations.

The evening's performances was started by a young woman who sang a bit nervously, but after some generous applause and songs by the other writers, the nerves quickly dissipated, and the room was filled with lyrics about falling in love, falling out of love, falling into hard times, falling on the floor (after getting drunk or stoned, and not knowing how he ended up there), breaking up, being heartbroken, anger, guilt and sorrow.  One writer did sing about the joys of life; however, his fiancée and future in-laws were in attendance, so it was understandable that he wouldn't sing about extramarital affairs, depression and losing his job.  The songs were beautiful, but they weren't necessarily uplifting.  I left the cafe feeling slightly uncomfortable, not certain whether it was from the catfish or a mild melancholic funk.

We were back at our church near Los Angeles the following Sunday, and gladly joined the congregation in songs of praise and worship.  Although none of the worship team members will likely become famous musicians, they did a fantastic job leading us with songs about God's greatness, God's goodness, God's faithfulness, and God's love for us.  The songs were uplifting to our souls, even as the words from our lips exalted the Almighty.  If we found ourselves on the floor, it was because we prostrated ourselves before the Lord in worship, and not because we staggered from too much whiskey.  If we sang of sorrows, those words were followed by those of healing, forgiveness, and renewed strength.  We sang praise according to instructions from Psalms,

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 106:1)


Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 107:1)


Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 118:1)


Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 118:29)


Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1)


May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
(Psalm 19:14)