Husker Du

Too Far Down
(click on the song title to find a link for hearing a sample)

I always liked the musical sound of Husker Du when I was in High School. They were a unique group that was a mix between punk/grunge/hard rock and even some elements of being unplugged (although never fully). While this description isn't real helpful, I find that they had a unique sound with Bob Mould. Since Mould's departure, they aren't quite the same group. Lyrically, they were known for having some cryptic-enegmatic words. Even the song that I chose to highlight, it is a bit confusing. Here are the lyrics:

I'm down again And I don't know how to tell you

But maybe this time I can't come back Because I might be too far down

I wish for real

That I could turn it on and off

Like hot and cold and up and down

Because I'm down again I'm too far down

I couldn't begin to smile

Because I can't even laugh or cry Because I just can't do it

If it was so easy to be happy Why am I so down?

All I can do is sit and wonder if it's going to end Or if I should just go away forever

When I sit and think I wish that I just could die Or let someone else be happy

By setting my own self free And you don't want the emotion

Because the taste it leaves is for real But nothing's ever real until it's gone

And I might be too far down And is this just another thrown away Or is this the end of the whole stupid road

But you wouldn't want to know how I feel anyway Because the darkest hole is at the end of the road I'm down again And I guess I'm not the only one who dreams That there's not any way to tell you Because I might be too far down

Well, clearly this is a song about depression and the intense pressure of despair. This song doesn't really tell us why the depression exists but only that it is real. In fact, the statement about "setting my own self free" is probably a reference to contemplation of suicide. What does God say about these things?

Ecclesiastes 2:9-11 "So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my hear found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun."

It is nothing new to look at life as empty. In fact the word vanity carries with it the connotation of emptiness. So, you may pour yourself into a project, hobby, relationship or a money making endeavor but you will find in the end it is really vain.

Is the answer suicide?

No, you will not set yourself free. In fact, you may very well be setting into motion your eternal existence of suffering in punishment.

The answer: Colossians 3:1-4

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

No person can truly possess hope (the Biblical definition of hope is desire & expectancy) without the Gospel. Unless, you recognize that you sin and are awaiting to be judged by God one day of sins, and that you need to trust the Lord Jesus Christ to bring forgiveness of sins and to reconcile your relationship with God ... you will still remain in the hopelessness of what the world has to offer. But if you have trusted in Jesus Christ for your forgiveness of sins, (the Gospel) you don't need to be stuck in the pit of depression. This passage in Colossians tells us that our mind's eye should be focused on our relationship and eternal existence in His presence.