This week we travel back to 1971 and the release of the breakthrough album, Love It To Death. It has become one of the greatest albums of all-time – a quintessential Classic Rock record.  Songs such as “I’m Eighteen,” “The Ballad of Dwight Fry,” “Second Coming,” “Hallowed Be My Name,” and “Caught In A Dream” are masterpieces that would not only help them advance their reputation but also define Alice Cooper for many decades to come. Alice recalls the process behind the album stating, “Love It To Death was a really hard record to make.” He goes on to say, “We sat in Detroit in a barn, ten hours a day, and we learned how to play.” From those sessions and the days spent rehearsing, the signature sounds of the band and the character of Alice’s voice emerged. With producer Bob Ezrin’s help, the Alice Cooper Group would soon be propelled forward into the upper echelons of notoriety and stardom. Frank Zappa had given them an opportunity. Now Ezrin’s guidance had given them direction, clarity, and purpose, a ‘Killer’ combination.

During this period, ”Sun Arise” was used as the opening song in the Alice Cooper setlist. It was also the closing song on the Love It To Death LP. Aboriginal in nature, it is a tale of the sun and its significance to their tribal beliefs and traditions. The sun was and is considered to be a deity to many of these tribes – charged with “bringin’ back the warmth to the ground.”

The song was initially written and performed by Australian music-comic Rolf Harris with help from In The Wild’s, Harry Butler, a Western Australian naturalist. Like any song covered by Alice Cooper, the band spun it in a totally different direction, adding their signature style and flair to the tune. Their version of the song was less tribal and showcased more of who they were. This song, along with the rest of the album, could be depicted as their chrysalis – their new beginning, their discovery, their transformation. With Love It To Death, they were about to embark on a journey few could ever understand or imagine. An endeavor that would forever change the face of Rock and Roll.

Many cultures, like the Aborigines, believe multiple gods are involved in maintaining the nature and order of the universe. For instance, they believe the sun is one such deity that both gives and controls life. It’s as if to say, there’s no possible way one God alone could be responsible for everything in the natural and supernatural world. Perhaps it’s the limited mind of humanity that can’t quite grasp the concept of such majesty and awe. It’s just too much to comprehend or fathom – that there is this incredible power from one All-knowing, All-powerful being that gives life to all creation. However, God’s Word says just that. (*And from my own personal perspective, I believe that the more you study the sciences, nature, and the world around us, the more you find His fingerprints touching all facets of this life.) (Romans 11:36)

God’s Word lists verse after verse about creation and its existence because of Him. Verses such as John 1:3, Psalms 96:11-12, Psalms 95:4-5, Romans 1:20, Isaiah 43:20, all define creation and the natural flow of life by His design, yet Job 12:7-10 may best depict the portrait of life our Creator has masterfully crafted.  It reads, “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky and they will tell you, or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” It’s as if His Word is trying to tell us, all we must do is stop. Stop, look, and listen to the magnificence of this world. The order of it all. While we, mere humanity, question the existence and acts of our Creator, the rest of His creation goes on doing what they were created to do. All of His handiwork continues to praise His name by merely living out its existence and being what it was designed to be.

As the above-listed verses state, we can learn a lot from all of creation. To simply be and allow Him to be glorified through the fact that life continues to exist and press on – doing what it has always done. Now let’s look at the song from an even deeper level. In recent weeks, we’ve discussed the concept of ‘dying daily’ and living as ‘new creations’ through Him. If we were to look at this song from that perspective, changing the word ‘Sun’ to ‘Son,’ ‘Holy Spirit,’ or ‘Lord,’ it takes on a new meaning. One with more considerable significance than just the light of the Sun drowning out the darkness of night or warming up the cold earth. Breaking down the lyrics stanza by stanza, we actually instead find the meaning of life – a depiction of what those verses listed above in Job were referring to.

Couldn’t we change those first lines in the song to, “Son arise come every mornin’…bringin’ back life to my soul”? Echoing daily 2 Corinthians 5:17, which reads, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Similarly, the second stanza could read, “Holy Spirit arise, fillin’ up the hollow…bringin’ back fullness to my soul.” Bringing life to Romans 15:13, which reads, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” And finally, the final stanza could read “Lord drive away the darkness everyday…bringin’ back the light to my soul.” Declaring daily John 1:5, which reads, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (Also see John 3:19-21.) It’s as if this song gives new meaning to Job 12:7-10. As all of His creation carries out the tasks set before it – being and existing as it was created to be, we too are given a special assignment as well. As His children, we are called to “love one another” as He loved us. (John 13:35, Ephesians 5:2).

Wrapping this up, “Sun Arise” is simple and to the point. It gives clarity to what can otherwise become something much more complicated or convoluted. In fact, isn’t that what we try to often do? Complicate things. Questioning every part of our existence and rebelling against the elements of nature, which we may not agree with or simply can’t explain. There’s nothing wrong with anger, frustration, or stress – even towards God. He can handle it. However, C.S. Lewis sums up our existence brilliantly, stating, “A creature revolting against a creator is revolting against the source of his own powers–including even his power to revolt. It is like the scent of a flower trying to destroy the flower.” As we learn to become what we were created to be, we will most likely find that there is a season for all things, and while we may not understand many of the events we see and experience, He has a plan. It is perfect. We must simply allow ourselves to do what comes honestly and naturally. We must learn to seek the architect if we are serious about better understanding the blueprints.

In conclusion, isn’t it fascinating how even simple songs, with only a few lines or stanzas, provoke us to dig deep into ourselves and our souls? On the surface, “Sun Arise” is a simple song about the sun and it’s responsibility to provide light and warmth to the earth, yet it also gives new meaning to daily reflection and Biblical perspective as well. As we go about our daily lives, we must learn to leave the past in the past and focus on what’s in front of us. Each day we are given a gift, and with the proper guidance and approach, each day can lead to a fresh start. We were not created to dwell in darkness. We were created to bask in His light as the Son, His Son, arises and lives within our hearts, minds, and souls. Let us remember that and seek such transformation daily!

That’s it for this week, We wish you all a VERY, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

See you next Friday! Until then, Keep Walkin’ in Faith and Rockin’ with Alice!