With the horrors that haunted us this week, from Sandy Hook to the fiscal cliff (not to mention the challenges of our more private lives), today I needed a little balm in my Gilead. So I spent the parts of the day that I could listening to what has become my album of the year, Life is People. The artist, Bill Fay, is an English singer, pianist and songwriter who’s first album was released in 1967. A second album came out in 1971. Despite the beauty of his music, Fay disappeared; his music didn’t sell. And then in 2012 he re-emerged with a new album. I don’t know what he did all those years – the missing years (quoting John Prine’s great song about Jesus) – but I’m glad he’s back. In an interview on NPR Fay was asked if his return and newly found acclaim would result in tours, promotions and recording contracts. “No,” he said.
Fans of Wilco know Mr. Fay, even if unawares, as their hit “Jesus, etc.” is a cover. When listening to Life is People it’s impossible to miss the subtle and not-so-subtle confessions of Christian faith. The beautiful song Healing Day is most certainly a nod to the eschaton with the Magnificat in mind (which will bless our ears this Sunday), and is a song for us just now:
It’ll be OK
on the healing day
No more going astray
on the healing dayYeah we’ll find our way
on the healing day
to where the children play
on the healing dayWhen the tyrant is bound
and the tortured freed from his pain
and the lofty brought to the ground
and the lowly raisedaint so far away
the healing day
coming to stay
the healing dayEvery battleground
is a place for sheep to graze
When it all comes tumbling down
all the palaces and paradesit’ll be OK
on the healing day
No more going astray
on the healing day
Yeah we’ll find our way
on the healing day
to where the children play
on the healing day
Aloha
p.s. If you have ten minutes, and are interested, listen to an interview with Bill Fay on NPR: http://www.npr.org/2012/08/19/158894907/bill-fay-a-cult-figure-returns-skeptical-but-optimistic
The Daily Cup 
Oh my, I so appreciate your post today and that I had time to listen to this artist. His song/words soothed (and energized) my spirit. Thank you!
Thank you. I am listening and it is resonating. Former St. Albanite now in Nashville.