La La La, Di Da Da…

How many times have I listened to and “la la la di da da’ed” with Billy Joel’s Piano Man? Countless! Only a couple of weeks ago, thanks to an insightful Tweeter, did I find out that this song is about people with unfulfilling jobs. A whole room of job dissatisfaction sufferers. Though it makes my heart heavy to think of anyone in my situation–a life-draining, soul-crushing job—still, this amazing song reminds me that the hope of “feelin’ alright” exists out there—somewhere.

…In The Mood For A Melody

A community of like-sufferers in the “mood for a melody” can bring varying degrees of consolation. After all, how can we sing the songs of the Lord in a foreign land (Ps 137) without each other? Your story, your coping skills, your encouragement, your listening, could make a huge difference in the lives of others. Soak in the words dear one, and know that someone is praying for your release!

It’s nine o’clock on a Saturday
The regular crowd shuffles in
There’s an old man sitting next to me
Makin’ love to his tonic and gin

He says, “Son, can you play me a memory
I’m not really sure how it goes
But it’s sad and it’s sweet and I knew it complete
When I wore a younger man’s clothes.”

[everybody now…]
La la la, di da da La la,
di da da da dum

Sing us a song, you’re the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well, we’re all in the mood for a melody
And you’ve got us feelin’ alright

Now John at the bar is a friend of mine
He gets me my drinks for free
And he’s quick with a joke or to light up your smoke
But there’s someplace that he’d rather be

He says, “Bill, I believe this is killing me.”
As the smile ran away from his face
“Well I’m sure that I could be a movie star
If I could get out of this place”

Oh, la la la, di da da
La la, di da da da dum

Now Paul is a real estate novelist
Who never had time for a wife
And he’s talkin’ with Davy, who’s still in the Navy
And probably will be for life

And the waitress is practicing politics
As the businessmen slowly get stoned
Yes, they’re sharing a drink they call loneliness
But it’s better than drinkin’ alone

Sing us a song you’re the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well we’re all in the mood for a melody
And you got us feeling alright

It’s a pretty good crowd for a Saturday
And the manager gives me a smile
‘Cause he knows that it’s me they’ve been comin’ to see
To forget about life for a while

And the piano, it sounds like a carnival
And the microphone smells like a beer
And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar
And say, “Man, what are you doin’ here?”

Oh, la la la, di da da
La la, di da da da dum

Sing us a song you’re the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well we’re all in the mood for a melody
And you got us feeling alright

Sharing A Drink Called Loneliness

“They’re sharing a drink they call loneliness…” besides pure poetry, speaks so true to the situation of Christians in an unfulfilling job situation. Most of our fellow Christians just do not understand. And those that write about it, touting “your job is your ministry,” sadly do NOT understand and lead more people to ignorance and guilt. If you like your job, how can you write about job disappointment? Point taken.

Though you may have a huge family and an even larger church family, you have probably experienced feelings of loneliness and isolation in dealing with the situation. This comes from:

  • Lack of understanding
  • Lack of empathy
  • Judgment
  • Guilt trips
  • Lack of fellow Christians to pray for and with you

Harps on Willows is here for you. Others in your situation. Others who understand “how it is” more than we care to admit. Others who would love to pray for you. And totally free. Not asking for anything, except your prayers in return. 

p.s. Did you hear the piano swelling and your heart pounding on “And the piano, it sounds like a carnival…”!?  mmm-hmmm. You’re resonatin’ with feelin’ alright.