To the Ends of the Earth - Lord Huron
So often God speaks to me through songs, poems, or stories. Sitting with these beautiful words can be a kind of prayer exercise as I talk to God about the emotions they spark in me.
Below is Lord Huron’s To the Ends of the Earth, a song that never ceases to evoke longing within my soul. There is a call to adventure and exploration within it that works not only with physical adventures but, I think, with soul adventures as well. What are the hidden unexplored parts of your soul that God longs to discover alongside you?
I’ve reworked a few phrases/words to make it a bit more accessible from a prayer exercise point of view. This song reminds me of the back and forth found in the Bible’s Song of Songs. I’ve arranged it in that book’s beloved/lover/friend format. I invite you to read through the song and see what invitations for adventure call to your soul.
Friends:
Oh, there's a river that winds on forever
I'm gonna see where it leads
Oh, there's a mountain that no man has mounted
I'm gonna stand on the peak
Out there's a land that time don't command
Wanna be the first to arrive
No time for ponderin' why I'm-a wanderin'
Now I’m finally feelin’ alive*
Lover:
To the ends of the earth, would you follow me?
There's a world that was meant for our eyes to see
To the ends of the earth, would you follow me?
Well if you won't, I must say my goodbyes to thee
Beloved:
Oh, there's an island where all things are silent
I'm gonna whistle a tune
Oh, there's a desert that size can't be measured
I'm gonna count all the dunes
Out there's a world that calls for us, Lover**
Headin' out into the unknown
Wayfarin' strangers and all kinds of danger
Please don't say I'm goin' alone
Lover:
To the ends of the earth, would you follow me?
There's a world that was meant for our eyes to see
To the ends of the earth, would you follow me?
I promise I’m with you; no goodbyes here
I’ll always journey with thee. ***
Lover/Beloved
I was a-ready to die for you, baby
Doesn't mean I'm ready to stay
What good is livin' a life you've been given
If all you do is stand in one place
I'm on a river that winds on forever
Follow 'til I get where I'm goin'
Maybe I'm headin' to die but I'm still gonna try
Promise me I'm not alone ****
Soul/Contemplative Questions:
How does the image of a journey in this song resonate (or not) with your walk with God? Do you picture yourself more as the brave adventurer, reluctant companion, or somewhere in between?
How does the idea of an invitation to the unknown from the Lover (God) sit with you (the Beloved)? What emotions do you notice this stirs within you? Excitement, fear, regret, anticipation, hope? Take a few minutes to sit with God and process these emotions with Him.
Is there a word or phrase in this song that stands out to you or speaks to your soul? Why do you think it resonates with you? Consider asking God to show you what this reveals about your internal longings and desires.
The last stanza of the song does not specify Lover or Beloved. Who do you think is speaking here? Do these words create a response, intention/aim, or hope within you?
Note: I have changed several words from the artist’s original content. I don’t think I’ve improved on their work by any means, but sometimes I substitute a few words to make a poem or song more God- or soul-centric for my personal growth. My changes are noted below:
* Not while we're both still alive
** Out there's a world that calls for me, girl
***Well If you won't, I must say my goodbyes to thee
****I guess I'm goin' alone