I wrote this last semester (Fall '08) for an extra credit assignment for Old Testament Survey. It is a spoken word/poetry slam piece that I based off the book of Ecclesiastes and the life of Solomon. Some of it is anachronistic in its expressions and cultural references, yet I believe the main thrust of the book and the theological principles contained therein remain. Solomon was the man who had it all; politically, materially & intellectually. This spoken word piece seeks to present the dire, hopeless vanities of empty hedonism present within the life of an individual who is seeking ultimate pleasure and satisfaction apart from a vibrant relationship with God Almighty. I hope it ministers to you. I may be recording a live video performance of this soon because Dr. Smith said he would like to use it for his class. I'll post up the video if I ever do that in the future.
Ecclesiastes 1:1-2, 9-11
"The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 'Vanity of vanities,' says the Preacher; 'Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.' So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure...then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun."
The Words Of The Preacher
Vs. 1
Under the sun I’ve had bundles of fun/
Stacking gold to the sky, I’ve had bundles of funds/
I’ve had hundreds of hunnies numbering numerous sums/
And grub in my tummy, buddy, the food was a ton/
No stumbling dummy could sully or ruin my guns/
My government money funding was second to none/
Flexing extra-ordinary wisdom exceeding the highest/
All the kings of the earth came to me seeking guidance/
The greatest, my name was famous, the amazing Son of David/
Insane gifts and cadence placed me on the apex of the A-list/
It is what it is, I ain't telling you fibs/
Catch me on the latest version of Jerusalem Cribs/
I was sipping a tea/ livid, and living a dream/
Swimming in cream, brimming with greed, sinning extreme/
I strategized to gratify the cravings cut inside of me/
I fantasized, my fantasies became utter realities/
The quintessential player / suave and savvy/
Who else had 1,000 women who were calling him daddy?/
Imagine in your mind you’re touring the finest mansion/
I had that all that shine plus more than your eyes can fathom/
With an eye for snatching the flyest fashion/
In a mad dash for cash then I was flashing/
Sippin from a chalice in my palace, living higher than the stratus/
Undeniably the baddest / Don't believe me? find my status/
in Ecclesiastes 2:9/
I was greater than any man born before my time/
Thought I was living the high life, blessed and free/
‘Till I realized my possessions were possessing me/
Hook (Chorus):
Vanity of vanities, coming through the speakers/
Listen to me children, I’m exposing my weakness/
My goal is to warn ya, my goal is to teach ya/
So come here and listen the words of the preacher/ (2x)
Vs. 2
Under the sun, I’ve had bundles of fun/
But the fun was misleading, it's humbling son/
The pleasures were fleeting, their crumbled and gone/
Now I’m severed and bleeding, asundered and numb/
Basking in ravishing passion brought no lasting satisfaction/
Madness and outlandish laughing was the saddest bad distraction/
Trapped, smacked, jacked, backtracked and blackened/
Didn't fear God or keep the commands of the matchless captain/
I've toiled for an anvil of sin/
And all I have to show you is this handful of wind/
Barraged with a mirage of rude brews and broads/
My life wasn't lodged in the true pursuit of God/
And I regret it so badly/
Choking and feeling broken like I'm in a low valley/
Power and the pleasure in a choke-hold had me/
Not chasing after my holy daddy/
It’s ineffably distressing so you better be confessing/
Cause without your God your life will be incredibly depressing/
See I've exhausted every possible route in finding meaning/
And found out that route’s impossible without the Highest Being/
What profit is the labor, walking after paper/
Scoffing at your maker, sooner or later, the coffin’s gonna claim ya/
You see death is gonna get you/
And when death comes to get you you ain’t bringing nothing with you/
So don’t live for one-night stands and weekend plans/
Cause giving glory to God is the chief end of man/
Vanity of vanities/ the statement of my thesis/
Everything is straight up worthless without saving faith in Jesus/
Hook (Chorus):
Vanity of vanities, coming through the speakers/
Listen to me children, I’m exposing my weakness/
My goal is to warn ya, my goal is to teach ya/
So come here and listen the words of the preacher/
