Our Efforts Alone

Father Lachlan and I are going to see The Milk Carton Kids in Tennessee this February, visiting his family while we’re down there. I’ve mentioned them to you in the past. They’re my favorite folk harmony duo. Check them out. I bet you’d like them. They’re not popular, but their music appeals to lots of people, young and old.

I recently rewatched an interview of them. I love it, because it captured them arguing about their differing philosophies on how music is created. I'd like to present part of it here in light of the Wise Men we hear of as we celebrate the Epiphany.

Interviewer: Would you explain your writing process to us?

Joey: Usually, I think the song has to present itself to one of us, and then we can work

on it together.

Kenneth: (Scoffing) "Present itself" to us? That's how you describe our writing process?

Joey: Well, yeah. What's wrong with that?

Kenneth: I wouldn't say the song "presents itself" to us. That's some sanctimonious bulls--t.

Joey: Well that's how it feels to me.

Kenneth: Nah.

Joey: Well, how would you describe it?

Kenneth: I'd say the song has been rattling around in my brain, until I finally take the

initiative to wrestle it to the ground.

Joey: Ugh, that's how it feels to you?

Kenneth: Yeah. What, you feel all holy about it? Like somebody speaking through you? You

take no credit for it?

Joey: Well, I didn't say any of that. But yes, I mean to say that just because you decide to

take the initiative and wrestle a song to the ground, doesn't mean that it will

happen. It seems only to happen when it wants to.

Kenneth: So you're saying that you don't have to be around at all for a song to come

about, that it could just park its ass near some other bozo and...

Joey: Not at all. It's absolutely necessary to do the work, but it's not at all sufficient. There's

an element of inspiration.

Kenneth: Well.

Joey: Well.

And the argument went on. And it goes on even now, between people who think that life consists entirely of human will and initiative, and those who permit revelation, who permit something to come to them from outside of themselves. Joey's response to Kenneth was, I think, masterful. He admits that we do wrestle with what is revealed to us, but that our efforts alone are not sufficient. Wonderfully said. And wise. After all, who are the Wise Men but those who are willing to permit the Mystery to present Himself to us? +