U2's Bono song draws inspiration from the Virgin Mary

   AP Photo | Bono and U2 in concert in Barcelona June30, 2009

 U2’s album, No Line on the Horizon, has been released, and the group is now on tour in Europe. Last night, they opened in Barcelona  and will perform again there tomorrow (July 2, 2009). Word has it that it was a magnificent show, unveiling the new “space station”, which reported is a wonder of technological lights,special effects and staging.

As technologically amazing as the set is,  there is deeper profundity in the lyrics of the music the group performs.

This long anticipated album contains a song, “Magnificent”.  Bono revealed that the Virgin Mary was his inspiration for this song during a Rolling Stone interview with Brian Hiatt,.according to MinistryValues.com,

Bono stated it was the Magnificat from Luke’s gospel (Luke 1:46-55) which he used as a model for the song. The Magnificat consists of the words of the Virgin Mary when she was greeted by her cousin Elizabeth whose child in her womb, John the Baptist, leaped when Mary arrived. Elizabeth exclaimed the famous words: “Blessed are you among women," and pondered why the mother of the Lord would be with her.
 

These are the words that inspired Bono. Mary responded with great passion in now known as the Magnificat:

"My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as he said to our fathers."

It appears that Bono has a deep faith that is always seeking and daring to ask questions. You can find some of his statements about his faith and views on religion at www.dickstraub.com. His lyrics are not necessarily overt and obvious; sometimes one just has to listen.

Here are the lyrics to “Magnificent”

I was born
I was born to be with you
In this space and time
After that and ever after I haven’t had a clue
Only to break rhyme
This foolishness can leave a heart black and blue
Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love can heal such a scar
Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love can heal such a scar
I was born
I was born to sing for you
I didn’t have a choice but to lift you up
And sing whatever song you wanted me to
I give you back my voice
From the womb my first cry
It was a joyful noise
Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love can heal such a scar
Justified till we die
You and I will magnify
The Magnificent
Magnificent
Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love unites our hearts
Justified till we die
You and I will magnify
The Magnificent
Magnificent
Magnificent

  

Here is the video of "Magnificent"

Rolling Stone

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