Wild World by Cat Stevens
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Simple song that can be taken in a few different directions depending on your life situation. That's one thing I love about music...and art in general...is that the same piece can be interpreted different ways by different people at different times in life. Granted some music is what it is...only one way to see it or hear it, but by and large interpretation is up to the viewer or listener.
Cat (who has changed his name to Yusuf Islam) is not high on my list of entertainers for social and religious reasons, but I do like some of his music. This song in particular is one I really like and it has been covered numerous times by different artists.
I have read that this song was written from the perspective of the female being the wife/girlfriend, which makes perfect sense given the first verse of the song. One could also apply it to a daughter I suppose because of the concern Cat shows for the woman as she is going out into the world and the fact that he says "I'll always remember you like a child, girl." Either way this song is about letting go, wishing someone the best in whatever they choose and giving a little parting advice...and hoping they will listen!
Since I just welcomed my daughter into the world a few short months ago, I immediately thought of her...letting her go at some point, hoping she makes good decisions "but just remember there's a lot of bad and beware, beware." So that made me think...how can I prepare her (and my two boys) for what's in store later in life when they head out on their own? As we all know, it's a wild world out there that is unpredictable and, no matter our intentions, things can get ugly from time to time.
My advice is as follows:
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) - 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV) - 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
James 1:2-4 (NIV) - 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything
Romans 5:3-4 (NIV) - 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
I Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) - 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
I Peter 5:10 (NIV) - 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
James 1:12 (NIV) - 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
What's your take on it? What advice would you give?
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