The Words Of The Preacher

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/