Prince Rodgers Nelson: A Modern-Day Rumi – A Master Weaver of Love and God

A number of articles have been written about Prince since his transformation that discussed his mix of faith and music, but they lack the depth, honestly, raw beauty, and unashamed love he had for his (our) Creator. The articles I read, which were not exhaustive so forgive me if I missed something, focused on the “ying and yang” of his relationship with his sexuality and his faith. Certainly interesting, but I have to admit that I found his ability to weave God, Jesus, love, and the after-world into secular music and arts, in a way that didn’t make non-religious people flinch, awe-inspiring. Another writer who mastered this tapestry of sultry poetry and faith is Sufi poet Rumi.

…his ability to weave God, Jesus, love, and the afterworld into secular music and arts, in a way that didn’t make non-religious people flinch, awe-inspiring

It has taken me months of quiet contemplation and various stages of grief to finally put my thoughts together regarding how the artist Prince - because he’s way more than simply a musician - and Sufi poet Rumi unify God and love. They both presented romantic love and spiritual worship as a fluid, wonderful unification for everyone, regardless of religion affiliation, to honor and love God…and themselves. (However, Rumi's writings were solely about God though.) Both compose words that are picturesque, beautiful, and even haunting. You feel them. They penetrate you. They speak to the Him in you.  They can make you feel whole or beautiful or heard or less alone. Their words make you feel loved.

…They can make you feel whole or beautiful or heard or less alone. Their words make you feel loved.

MEVLANA RUMI

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Mevlana Rumi, he’s a “13th century Muslim saint and Anatolian mystic known throughout the world for his exquisite poems and words of wisdom, which have been translated into many languages. Rumi, as he is known in the west, is the bestselling poet in USA. The United Nations declared 2007 The Year of Rumi and celebrations were held worldwide.” (Learn more about him by visiting: http://mevlana.net/.) Rumi’s poems are filled with burning love, beauty and devotion. Many are written as if they were meant for one lover to another, and they were…from the lover of God to his beloved, God.  One of my favorite passages (and most famous) is:

The minute I heard my first love story,
I started looking for you, not knowing
how blind that was.
Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere,
they’re in each other all along.

Can I get an amen?! Imagining the love of romantic partner when reading the passage makes it feel real…tangible. Knowing that it’s about God makes it absolutely beautiful! Don’t sleep on Rumi. His words tell stories, ignite feelings, explain thoughts, and convey messages. As I mentioned before, Prince does the exact same thing in his music and lyrics. Contrary to popular belief, Prince started merging secular and religious messaging early in his career. I could write a dissertation using song lyrics he wrote and sang about his devotion to God, but I’d chose to simply highlight a few of my favorites with the hopes that you’ll revisit his music and really listen to (re)discover what you may’ve missed.

Contrary to popular belief, Prince started merging secular and religious messaging early in his career.

PRINCE

Let’s start with Controversy. Prince recited the entire Lord’s Prayer in the album version on the title song. He also talked about the anti-Christ, as discussed by many fans/listeners, in the song “Annie Christen,” making the song's character the cause many negative activities, such as Lennon’s death and the deaths of children in Atlanta in his story.

Annie Christian wanted to be number one

But her kingdom never comes, thy will be done

She couldn't stand the glory, she would be second to none

The way Annie tells the story, she's his only son

Annie Christian wanted to be a big star

So she moved to Atlanta and she bought a blue car

She killed black children, and what's fair is fair

If you try and say you're crazy, everybody say electric chair

Electric chair

When Prince first gained mass appeal, who would’ve thought this gorgeous, talented Black man with flowing, blown out hair and wearing bikini underwear, suspenders, a scarf, and heavy eyeliner would make you want to drop to your knees to pray to the Most High? But he did!  On the album 1999, he declared is love of God by rapping, “I’m in love with God/He’s the only way/You and I know we gotta die someday,” at the end of his song “Let’s Pretend We’re Married.”

In the movie Purple Rain, fans watched the story of love, passion, pain, confliction, and fear that features a soundtrack that made us dance and weep and sing. Do you remember the “I Would Die 4 U” lyrics?

I’m not your lover

I’m not your friend

I am something that you never comprehend

No need to worry to need to cry

I’m your messiah and you’re the reason why

Cuz You

I would die for you?”

I sang that song imagining a romantic love that was beyond comprehension. I love it! Prince, on the other hand, could have imagined people knowing and loving the Lord Jesus. Yeah, “I Would Die for You” may have been a gospel song. Let’s not forget that on “Darling Nikki,” another song on the same album, you can hear Prince honoring God if you played the end of the song backward (on the album, of course). The weird chiming and yelping was really Prince talking about God. Yeah. He did that too.

SONGS

Prince’s references to faith, God, Jesus, and love were in everything he did. Think about his movie Graffiti Bridge. It was simply about trusting God. Watch it using that lens of truth, and the story will make a lot more sense to you. Another example is, while touring, he would have the audience sing lyrics from his LoveSexy album, “Love is God. God is love. Boys and girls love God above,” with him over and over again. I don’t think he did it for selfish reasons. I think he just wanted people to heal themselves spiritually using the tools he used…music and the love of God.

Below are just a few Prince songs that reference God, Jesus, or biblical teachings:

- "The Cross" - Sign ‘O’ the Times (1987)

Don't cry for He is coming
Don't die without knowing the cross

- "The Ladder" – Around the World in a Day (1985) – the entire song but…

Everybody's looking 4 the ladder
Everybody wants salvation of the soul

- "My Name is Prince" – Love Symbol (1992)

In the beginning God made the sea

But on the 7th day he made me

He was tryin' to rest y'all when He heard the sound

Sound like a guitar cold gettin' down

I tried to bust a high note, but I bust a string

My God was worried 'til he heard me sing

 - "The Holy River" – Emancipation (1996)

Let's go down 2 the holy river
If we drown then we'll be delivered (Yes we will)

- "Savior" – Emancipation (1996)

(Can't U see we're like) We're like 2 petals from the same flower, baby
We're like 2 branches from the same tree
(2 drops of water from the same sea)
Whenever I look in your eyes, I can see a paradise
U're my saviour, U're all I...
U're my saviour, U're all I ever...
U're my saviour, U're all I ever need (Saviour)
Saviour, U're all I ever need

- "Welcome to the Dawn" – The Truth (1997)

When the light of God
is the only thing in life that will redeem
Welcome, welcome 2 the dawn

Whenever I was sorry, so sorry for the things I used to do
A journal full of numbers that I used to go through
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) all behind me now, all because of you

- "The Word" – 3121 (2006)

Get up, come on let’s do something, come on girl, let's get saved

- "Colonized Mind" –LOtUSFLOW3R (2009)

Without God, it’s the blind leading the blind

- "Breakdown" – Art Official Age (2014)

(By the way, Prince stated that this was his favorite song on the album, while being interviewed by Arsenio Hall..

Every book I've read said that I would meet somebody like you
Whenever I was sorry, so sorry for the things I used to do
A journal full of numbers that I used to go through
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) all behind me now, all because of you

- "Way Back Home" – Art Official Age (2014)

Most people in this world are born dead
But I was born alive
I was born with this dream
With a dream outside my head
That I could find my way back home
My my way way back home

The steps U take are no easy road
But the reward is great
4 those who want 2 go

WELCOME TO THE DAWN

As I mentioned before, a dissertation can be written about the artistic genius who is Prince Rodgers Nelson. I sincerely hope theologians, music teachers, writers, poets, and psychologists study him and share their discoveries with the world. What the public generally hears from his catalog and sees is just the tip of the iceberg.

His live performances, lesser-known songs, monologues, and more can be found on YouTube (for now). Do yourself a favor. Dig in the “crates.” Listen for yourself. For those of you who do not understand our (his fans) grief after his transition, you will. You’ll also realize what was lost, and why Prince will never be replaced or forgotten. He’s in our DNA. He provided the soundtrack for every feeling we’ve ever (and will ever) experienced. He helped us recognize that we are, indeed, one - not just Christians - all of us. He wholeheartedly welcomed us into his world - without judgment or fear. He taught us to be brave and to live our own truths.

Prince even left listeners a song on his Truth CD entitled “Comeback” that helps us to grieve more easily.

Walking up the stairs

Just the afternoon

Sweet wind blew

Not a moment to soon

(Hoo) I cry when I realized

That sweet wind was you

Spirits come and spirits go

Some stick around for the after show

Don't have to say I miss you (don't have to say I miss you)

Cause I think you already know

If you ever lose someone

Dear to you

Never say the words their gone

They'll come back, yeah

Thankfully his music, life lessons, artistry live on, not just for his current fans to enjoy, but for generations to come.

We, the Rainbow Children, who "go about the work of building a new nation" with "accurate understanding of God and his laws," (https://www.princevault.com/index.php?title=Album:_The_Rainbow_Children) invite you to engage and join us.

Welcome to the Dawn.