Across the Universe

It’s time to muse about music. The words muse and music are related, as one can guess from the spelling. The big dictionary says that Muse refers to “any of the nine sister goddesses in Greek mythology presiding over song and poetry and the arts and sciences.” That suits me since who wouldn’t be in favor of songs, poetry and science, I ask you.

In my formative years, I was exposed to a healthy dose of music and poetry in various languages. English and Hindi language poetry predominated as did English and Hindi language songs. I took special delight in the songs of The Moody Blues and The Beatles. Their songs particularly resonated with me because those two bands were heavily influenced by Indian philosophy. I’m still crazy about them after all these years. (Did you get the reference to another band in that last bit?[1])

The Moody Blues, in the 1968 album “In Search of the Lost Chord” wrote:

This garden universe vibrates complete.
Some we get a sound so sweet.
Vibrations reach on up to become light,
And then thru gamma, out of sight.

Between the eyes and ears there lie,
The sounds of colour and the light of a sigh.
And to hear the sun, what a thing to believe.
But it’s all around if we could but perceive.
To know ultra-violet, infra-red and X-rays,
Beauty to find in so many ways.

Two notes of the chord, that’s our fluoroscope.
But to reach the chord is our life’s hope.
And to name the chord is important to some.
So they give a word, and the word is OM.

The song is on YouTube: The Word & OM. OM, written as ॐ, is the sacred symbol of the Dharmas (Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism.) The sound of that syllable is the representation of the Brahman, the ultimate reality and the ground of being of the universe.

OM leads me to a song by the Beatles: Across the Universe. It was written by John Lennon and as usual credited to Lennon-McCartney. It was first published in 1969 and in 1970 included in their album titled Let it Be.

I love the original. Through the magic of YouTube, I discovered a beautiful cover by Rufus Wainwright, Moby and Sean Lennon. (Sean is John Lennon’s son.) The lead voice is Rufus. His voice is truly awesome. I love the harmony. Listen.

Words are flowing out
Like endless rain into a paper cup
They slither wildly as they slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow waves of joy
Are drifting through my opened mind
Possessing and caressing me

Jai Guru Deva, Om
Nothing’s gonna change my world …

Images of broken light
Which dance before me like a million eyes
They call me on and on across the universe
Thoughts meander like a
Restless wind inside a letter box
They tumble blindly as they make their way across the universe

Jai Guru Deva, Om
Nothing’s gonna change my world …

Sounds of laughter, shades of life
Are ringing through my opened ears
Inciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love
Which shines around me like a million suns
It calls me on and on across the universe

Jai Guru Deva, Om
Nothing’s gonna change my world …

Did I say that I really like Rufus’s voice. So here’s Rufus soloing “Across the Universe.” I recommend headphones, some dope and a darkened room.