What If Uncle Ben Had Lived?

This song has always had a very emotional vibe to it, mainly because of the title, but also because of the melancholy feel. Actually, the title comes from a long running band joke. In the 80's, Marvel released a series of Spiderman comics called the "What If..." series. One of those issues was called, of course, "What If Uncle Ben Had Lived?". Over the years, when someone would start a comment with "what if...", one of us would usually fill-in the blanks, so to speak. For some reason that title just seemed to fit with this song. The result has been interesting as some have wanted to know what happened with my Uncle Ben (falling down the stairs, etc.) but, of course, I have no such uncle.

Lyrically this song is very similar to 'The Weeds That Grow Around My Feet' in that it deals with our sinful nature and the ruts of sin that can often entangle us. Early on it may just be weakness on our part, but over time it can become blatant disobedience to the Lord, and our hearts get cold. The end of the song wraps it up fairly nicely, "make yourself as small, just He and I and all" -- and that's how we need to be, small, on our face before God.

falling down the stairs

climb into the sea

the world is on it's hands

then it's on it's feet

touch the silent man

who cares where he goes

stand high upon his back

like the ground beneath your toes

the breeze is too much for me - anymore

(I've seen this in people who are weak)

and if I push the blade in deep

will in break inside of me

in me, in me, in me...

reaching for a star

with my eyes dead on the floor

racing all the time

my soul can't take much more

touch the silent man

who made himself so low

will I spit on him again

and turn myself away

what more will it take

falling down the stairs

climb into the sea

the world is on it's hands

then it's on it's feet

touch the silent man

who made himself so low

make yourself as small

just He and I and all