In The Words (Of Satan) by The Arrows
So a friend of mine sent me a link to this video (actually not this video, this is the live version) and I wanted to share it with you. This is a band from South Africa called The Arrows playing their song “In The Words (Of Satan)”.
Watch this video and then keep reading for some thoughts -
You can scroll down to the end of the post to read the lyrics if you want to get the words that she’s singing. You can also hit YouTube for the official version of the video from the band – but take her warning of “disturbing images” pretty seriously.
So here are some thoughts after watching through this video a bunch of times over the past week or so.
- The combination of lyrical wordplay and the cheekiness of some of the words is brilliant. The has a really playful, sneaky side to it.
- I love the “from Satan” perspective of the words. A good wake-up call, makes me think of Screwtape Letters.
- The contrast of the words and melody between the Satan sections and the God choruses is really beautiful. It’s clear they’ve spent some real time thinking through the emotional impact of the different parts of the song
- Here’s where my brain starts to go with this song – Do you think you could use this song in a worship service? Would it help people focus their minds on Christ? Are some of the references taking things too far to use the song at your church?
I’d love to hear some thoughts back on this one. Watch the video and let me know. What do you think?
Here are the lyrics to the song -
I’ve been here since the beginning
Know exactly how you work
I know all of your cravings
Know what makes you go berserk
Been lying from the start just to make you play a party in my infinite rebellion against the Father GodHate
Everything he is
And I make you hate him too
Make you hate him with your actions it’s so easy for me to do
‘Cause you like it…
Sin feels good for the ego…
You love it…
Oh, come on babyAnd all the time, I’m winding you up
Like my perfect little puppet, you’re my favorite robot, welcome to the show but I’m watching you and all of hell is with me too, helping me make my lies look trueOh and there is a lie that works for everyone, everyone
A lie that opens your hearts so I can get me some more of your free will
I’m winding you
Winding you
Give me the control that’s why I’m telling you
Selling you
Anything
Everything
Appealing to your human way of being and I use it all against you to just keep your eyes from seeing past the life you’re living
Past the moment you’re in
Past the pleasure of your sinOr the cigarette you’re smoking
Choking on your lust
I’ll make you drunk with pride
So deeply spun into my system that you won’t see the light
Never mind that I’m drowning you
I keep deceiving you…‘Cuz I don’t tell you
That God in heaven
Who loves you
Who yearns for you
I don’t tell you
That the freedom of forgiveness and truth
Why would I tell you?
Why would I tell you the truth?But I’ll say that millions of years ago an accident exploded
And you’re the result of this cosmic unknown with no real purpose
Created for no real intent
The reason for your living is just coincidence
So all the remains is what you can gain
Whatever meaning you attach to your days you decide
Mmm, but I help you recognize important things in life
Introducing money, it’s the root of all, evil they say so
I attach yourself worth to the salary you’re paid, be a slave to your property
Your jewelry
Your cars and things
Advertise that lie up on the TV so you’ll want that bling
Selling bit by bit the little pieces of your soul
Climbing up the ladder of economic control
Oh, the greed of man makes it so easy to pervert the Father’s planOr I’ll tell you…
There is a heaven but there’s many ways to get in
Keep you so confused that you stay bound to your sin
Tell you there are many ways to the same God
Keep you distracted with your methods so your heart stays hard,
I’ll make you think you’ve got spirituality, but it’s really just emotional alchemy
Oh, the vanity of self-idoltary I never let you see that it breeds
Hedonism! Whoo!
And it’s the answer of this generation
Come on, drink it, snort it, smoke it, swallow it
Chew on my illusion of freedom till you vomit itAnd still I don’t tell you
That God in heaven
Who loves you
Who yearns for you
I don’t tell you
That the freedom of forgiveness and truth
Why would I tell you?
Why would I tell you the truth?
The original version truly did disturb me a bit, but it was more of a “waking up” than offending me. In fact, I’ve only watched the original once, and then watched the live one you posted today and for certain words, the images still are vivid in my mind, without even seeing it on the screen.
Yet… I think I preferred the shocking video! Because it is impactful. It hurt to see people indulging in sin, drug use, etc. It is so for removed from my life and yet, with these words, these images, all of the sudden so real and vibrant….. and so sad.
I loved CS Lewis’ Scewtape Letters and I did enjoy this song and video, however, not sure what I’d think of it as a worship song in my church. There’s a part of me that would love to see the video played, especially since our message series is in 1 Corinthians and morality, and this really did affect and make sin and the fact of the “lie” so real to me, but…. I don’t know. I’m probably the most easily offended person in my church….. not sure what I’d think or what others would think, but it would definitly be memorable. I actually wish I could erase some of those images from my mind.
I would have a hard time singing these lyrics. (partly because the images are permanently etched in my brain) But I rarely sing in worship anyways…..
:-)
Hi, God wants you to sing in worship that’s why He created you. The Bible says in Romans 12:1: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
Don’t afraid of what others think, God wants the same from them and after all it’s all about God not them.
I believe this could be used in a play and not worship. It’s more of a play material than worship material. This song serves as a reminder to me.