When I woke up this morning, I hopped online to listen to the playlist of all the songs we’ve reviewed to get ideas for the next song to review. I was shocked when I noticed the number of songs has reached 59, meaning that this marks the 60th issue of Yeshuwa Reviews (and even more for the COTC newsletter)! I think that all of us achieving this milestone along with it being the beginning of the new year deserves recognition and a song that reinforces the idea of being proud of our past accomplishments while also being eager and excited for what life, the new year, and the new blessings God has for us. Let’s take a listen to “Soldier, Poet, King” by The Oh Hellos, a song which is inspired by Biblical text along with influences from author C.S. Lewis.
“There will come a soldier who carries a mighty sword
He will tear your city down“
This song is centralized around the Second Coming of Jesus and what the book of Revelation says this event will be like. There are three main quotes that the song highlights in the three verses. The first verse quotes Revelation by stating that Jesus would be like a soldier that tears cities down with his mighty sword. This is from the book of Isaiah 27:1 and in Revelation 1:16 and Revelation 19:15. The overall joyful sound of the song is a reflection of how Christ’s followers will rejoice at the Second Coming of their Savior. While some of the lyrics are directed towards non-believers and the realization that it is too late to “switch sides”. We also can hear this in the second verse.
“he will slay you with His tongue, oh-lei, oh-lai, oh, Lord”
The second verse is about a poet that will come whose words will be his weapon. This is from the imagery that also appears in Revelation 19:15 as Jesus emerging from the heavens wearing a bloody robe with a sword in his mouth riding a white horse. When explaining the armor of God in Ephesians 6:17 the sword of the Spirit is the word of God.
“Smeared with oil like David’s boy
, oh-lei, oh-lai, oh, Lord
Oh-lei, oh-lai, oh-lei, oh, Lord, smeared with oil like David’s boy
, Oh-lei, oh-lai, oh, Lord”
In the final verse of the song, we sing about a king who has a “Brow laid in thorn” which is reminiscent of Jesus’ crown of thorns when he was mocked by the Romans after he had been put onto the cross. This is also the state we see Jesus in during the Second Coming in Revelation, but what looked to be his weakest point has developed to be his most devine state. The third verse also points out that he will be anointed with oil just as David was. Jesus was seen as the new King David that will come to rule in a new way. “The anointed” is also a direct translation of ‘Messiah’ in Hebrew or ‘Christ’ in Greek.
“Lord, he will tear your city down, oh-lei, oh-lai, oh-oh”
C.S. Lewis’ book titled, “The Screwtape Letters” is a large contributing factor to the album that this song is from by The Oh Hellos titled, “Dear Wormwood”. The late C.S. Lewis was an author who is largely known for his works like “Mere Christianity” and “The Allegory of Love” but is possibly most known from his publication of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe”. His influence still hold relevance today, as I can remember reading “The Chronicles of Narnia” in middle school.
“Oh-lei, oh-lai, oh-lei, oh-lai, oh
Oh-lei, oh-lai, oh-lei, oh-lai, oh”
To commemorate the 60th review together and the newness that will come in 2025, I think this song was a perfect fit. We were able to get some great music, with some great biblical ties, along with references from a more contemporary author and even some great visual artwork to go along with it- definitely give the new lyric music video a watch! While you listen to the song, I hope you’re able to reflect joyfully on what God has done for you, is doing, and what He is working on bringing to fruition for us individually and globally. I look optimistically forward to what the new year will bring for me and I can’t wait to share that newness with you!
References:
“Access Your Bible from Anywhere.” BibleGateway.Com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages, Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
“The Oh Hellos – Soldier, Poet, King (Official Lyric Video).” YouTube, 16 Oct. 2023. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
The Oh Hellos. “The Oh Hellos – Soldier, Poet, King Lyrics | Genius Lyrics.” Genius.Com, 16 Oct. 2015. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
“R/Musicsuggestions on Reddit: Songs about God (Christianity) and Religion That Aren’t Worship or Praise Songs?” Reddit.Com, 2022. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
Website, The Official. “C. S. Lewis: The Official Website for C. S. Lewis and His Works.” Official Site | CSLewis.Com, 14 June 2024. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.