Most of us have heard the quote “There are no atheists in trenches.”
Whether that’s true or not, there is something about difficult times that bring our deeper thoughts and beliefs to the surface. It’s when we’re in the trenches of everyday life people often look for higher meaning and search for something or someone bigger than themselves.
This is one of a regular series of articles highlighting some of the music that has played a part in my life. You’ll find a range of songs from old to new. Whether it’s the lyrics, the music, a time in my life, or a combination of reasons, the songs in my soundtrack are part of who I am.
If you take a good look you’ll probably find music that has been part of the soundtrack of your life too. You can also check out some of the other songs that make up the soundtrack of my life.
Laughing With – Regina Spektor
Regina Spektor is one of my all-time favourite singer/songwriters. Laughing With was the first single from her 2009 album, Far.
In a world where God and faith are increasingly seen as nothing more than objects of ridicule, this song reminds us that there are moments that bring sharper focus to the bigger questions of life.
Spektor also touches on the fact that part of the reason that many people are laughing at God is that some of His supposed followers have twisted his message. She sings about the ‘crazies’ who tell us God hates us as well as those pushing a ‘prosperity gospel’ that imagines God as some kind of genie waiting to grant our every wish.
Her interest in religion and religious themes doesn’t indicate a personal faith but there’s plenty we can take from her music and her observations on faith. Spektor spoke to Spin Magazine about her interest with religion in 2009 when the Far album was released.
I’m always fascinated with faith, religion, and spirituality, and what those things are to each other, or how they come together or don’t come together.”
When I was done with this record I was like, “Whoa, I have a lot of stuff here that’s just about, like, religion.” Which is amazing. It wasn’t planned, but it’s one of those concepts that my mind is just fascinated with, and I’m always mulling over. Sometimes I’m really positive about religion, but, you know, sometimes I’m really sarcastic about it, too. Hey, that’s God, that’s life! – Spin
Lauging With
No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one’s laughing at God
When they’re starving or freezing or so very poorNo one laughs at God
When the doctor calls after some routine tests
No one’s laughing at God
When it’s gotten real late
And their kid’s not back from the party yetNo one laughs at God
When their airplane start to uncontrollably shake
No one’s laughing at God
When they see the one they love, hand in hand with someone else
And they hope that they’re mistakenNo one laughs at God
When the cops knock on their door
And they say we got some bad news, sir
No one’s laughing at God
When there’s a famine or fire or floodBut God can be funny
At a cocktail party when listening to a good God-themed joke,
Or when the crazies say He hates us
And they get so red in the head you think they’re ‘bout to choke
God can be funny,
When told he’ll give you money if you just pray the right way
And when presented like a genie who does magic like Houdini
Or grants wishes like Jiminy Cricket and Santa Claus
God can be so hilarious
Ha ha
Ha haNo one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one’s laughing at God
When they’ve lost all they’ve got
And they don’t know what forNo one laughs at God on the day they realize
That the last sight they’ll ever see is a pair of hateful eyes
No one’s laughing at God when they’re saying their goodbyes
But God can be funny
At a cocktail party when listening to a good God-themed joke, or
Or when the crazies say He hates us
And they get so red in the head you think they’re ‘bout to choke
God can be funny,
When told he’ll give you money if you just pray the right way
And when presented like a genie who does magic like Houdini
Or grants wishes like Jiminy Cricket and Santa Claus
God can be so hilariousNo one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one laughing at God in hospital
No one’s laughing at God in a war
No one’s laughing at God when they’re starving or freezing or so very poorNo one’s laughing at God
No one’s laughing at God
No one’s laughing at God
We’re all laughing with God
I’d encourage you to get involved too. Let me know about some of the songs that are etched in your mind. What are the tunes that bring back a flood of memories every time their opening notes start cranking out on your stereo? Are there songs you love for their music and others that speak deeply through their lyrics?
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