Satisfied

How does an outcast, immigrant, widow of a Jew
And a Moabite, dropped in the middle of an unimportant spot
In Bethlehem, by Providence impoverished
In desperation, give birth into the line of the king of the nation? 

The Fabric and Density of Narratives

Since the live studio recording of Hamilton the Musical came out on Disney+ last month, I have been enjoying revisiting its rhymes and rhythms.

Through the fusion of the hip hop genre and Broadway, I've grown to appreciate the lyrical density of rap in story telling. More than that, I am blown away by how Lin Manuel-Miranda wove the story of Alexander Hamilton's battle in life together with the fabric of American history.  To go one step further, he did such a good job of it, that the audience has woven themselves into the narrative of Hamilton and the 18th Century United States.

Resonance

When you play a fundamental note, e.g. on a piano, something on the left hand side, you hear the rich tones above it.  In Hamilton, the audience hears reverberations of their own stories as they hum to the harmonies of these founding fathers. We call this resonance. And that is why I feel so compelled to write this.

Great Art, Great Resonance

A great piece of art brings you into the story. And Hamilton is having the same effect on me. For those who've tuned into my last three posts, you know I am obsessed with the WHO right now.

This blog came into being when my wife pointed me to the Strong Songs Podcast, where Kirk Hamilton analyses the song "Satisfied" from the musical. Listening to Kirk break this song down has opened up my eyes to the world of... music. Wow.

In addition, this triggered me to make the connection of when my pastors applied the same techniques to break down and appreciate another classical piece of art, the book Ruth from the Bible.

Yup. Resonance across Hamilton, history, Ruth and real life.

I've never been so satisfied.

A Strong Song

I'll let you check out that Strong Songs episode for yourself.
Here are some of Kirk's comments from his podcast that got me thinking this way:

• It's hard to comment on a song in isolation because they are all so good
• Each character has their own chord progress or melodic sequence
• The composers carefully placed motifs and themes throughout the musical. These rich themes come back over and over across the songs, and weave a mosaic of ambition, regret, love and anguish using repetition words like "shot", "helpless" and "satisfied".

There is one element I particularly like. As the two central characters Alexander and Angelica match wits, they match words. As they echo each others melody, you "hear" them echo thoughts in their minds.

A Strong Story 

I'd like you to check out Ruth for yourself.
Here are some observations that got me thinking this way:

• The book of Ruth fits snug with the narrative of the people of Israel
• Ruth lived in the period of judges, a time when everyone did what was right in their own eyes (Ruth 1)
• As a Moabite, Ruth was regarded as an outsider as far as the people of Israel were concerned. 
• Being childless and without a husband, she clings to Naomi her Jewish mother in law as they return to Bethlehem to strike out subsidence living, holding onto some hope that someone may look out for them.
• We witness the unfolding of the faithfulness of Ruth, as echoed by the faithfulness of Boaz. And the composer carefully uses this to weave in the narrative of the nation, and demonstrates the faithfulness of the God of Israel:
• Ruth faithfully clings to her mother in law Naomi. She follows Naomi back to her home town and works through the day in the fields so they can live in their subsidence living. 
• Boaz demonstrates his integrity and provides for Ruth and Naomi. He ensures the two ladies are cared for, and lets Ruth glean around his fields during harvest, and more.
• Ruth faithfully follows Naomi in their bold plan to declare their need for redemption to Boaz.
• Boaz faithfully follows through with his word, and skilfully navigates the public agreement to redeem 
• During a dark time in Israel, during a dark time for Ruth and Naomi, 
• One woman's faithfulness strikes a chord with one man's faithfulness. 
• Despite the threat of death, Israel emerges with a king. 
• Despite the threat of death, Ruth emerges with a child. 
• Despite threats of death, her descendent child David becomes the king of Israel.
• Despite threats of death, his descendent child Jesus becomes the king of the world.

I'm Working on My Song 

More than Hamilton - "Satisfied", I love the song in that Bible - "Ruth".
This blog is one part of my song.

I was very much the outcast. immigrant. Dropped in the middle of a forgotten place.

I was very much in need of a redeemer, someone to show me grace.
Until you get to that low point, that minor chord, it may be hard to appreciate the satisfying chord the Musical terms "faithfulness".

Until you get to that low point, that minor chord, it may be hard to appreciate that someone wrote you into the history of a new nation.

3 closing questions:

1. What key is your song in?
2. Who sings your song?
3. Do you expect to ever be satisfied?