THE MUSIK-ZONE
The Classics of Music
Black Sabbath

The Music of Black Sabbath

As music goes, Black Sabbath is not generally one of my favorite bands because I'm not a big fan of heavy metal or death metal.

But they came out with some very mellow songs that I really loved. One has had a powerful impact on my life and my spirituality, even after all these 40-odd years since I first heard it.

One is "Changes", which I played over and over during a time in my life that was very similar. Never get married at 21 just because you can. You may find it's lust, not love, that drives you.

I've been married three times now; the first time was to Barbara, when I was too young and too filled with hormones and my own self-interest to be a responsible husband or father (but not maybe as bad as she thought). I dedicate this song to Barbara, with apologies and with sadness and regret.

I feel unhappy
i feel so sad
i lost the best friend
that i ever had
She was my woman
i loved her so
but it's too late now
i've let her go
I'm going through changes
i'm going through changes
We shared the eve's
we shared each day
in love together
we found a way
But soon the world
had its evil way
my heart was blinded
love went astray
I'm going through changes
i'm going through changes
It took so long
to realize
that i can still hear
her last goodbyes
Now all my days
are filled with tears
wish i could go back
and change these years
I'm going through changes
i'm going through changes

To me, this is a song that says so much about Ozzy Osbourne - a man mired deep in the cynicism and the slime of the world we live in, but who is practically on his knees in the midst of the madness, pleading for a way out, for the salvation the Dark Lord would deny him. And isn't this really the situation most of us find ourselves in at some point in life?

I've come full circle in my own life, having lived under the Karma I've created, and having lived many years in the same frustration, sadness and longingness you can see in Ozzy's face in the first video above. I now find myself married for the final time, to a woman with a heart of gold (as Barbara has), and who is slowly wasting away before my eyes. This time I am being tested as never before to there 24/7 as her caregiver with love and loyalty ... and this time I'll be there. And so I dedicate this song also to Penny, to the Alpha and to the Omega.

Another is "Laguna Sunrise." Both songs have become covers for countless other groups, attesting to the popularity of Black Sabbath's softer side. Here you'll find other expressions of that softer side from a band that personified the angst, fear, and eventually hatred of a society gone mad.

While much of their music - indeed their very name - suggest a Satanic orientation, some of their music is surprisingly the opposite, such as the song "After Forever."

Have you ever thought about your soul - can it be saved?
Or perhaps you think that when you're dead you just stay in your grave
Is God just a thought within your head or is he a part of you?
Is Christ just a name that you read in a book when you were in school?

When you think about death do you lose your breath or do you keep your cool?
Would you like to see the Pope on the end of a rope - do you think he's a fool?
Well I have seen the truth, yes I've seen the light and I've changed my ways
And I'll be prepared when you're lonely and scared at the end of our days

Could it be you're afraid of what your friends might say
If they knew you believe in God above?
They should realize before they criticize
that God is the only way to love.

Is your mind so small that you have to fall
In with the pack wherever they run
Will you still sneer when death is near
And say they may as well worship the sun.

I think it was true it was people like you that crucified Christ
I think it is sad the opinion you had was the only one voiced
Will you be so sure when your day is near say you don't believe?
You had the chance but you turned it down now you can't retrieve.

Perhaps you'll think before you say that God is dead and gone
Open your eyes, just realize that he's the one
The only one who can save you now from all this sin and hate.
Or will you still jeer at all you hear? Yes - I think it's too late.

How many would expect a Christian song from a band called Black Sabbath? Interesting!