elijah

BB Notes

This is another song inspired by my trip to Sierra Leone, Africa, and my haunting encounter with a young man there. 

Before I tell the story, I must acknowledge Nate Sabin, Staci Frenes and the musicians who were all deeply moved by this story, which clearly lended to their creativity.  Nate himself said he thinks this is one of his finest production works to date.

Yet before the song came an encounter with a young man that I will likely not forget...

The story of "Elijah"

Seven buddies and I traveled to Sierra Leone, Africa, to visit some villages we "adopted."  On a long drive from Freetown to Bo we got a flat tire, so we hobbled on our spare to the nearest sign of civilization.  We came upon "Mile 91," a  roadside stop swarming with vendors and beggars.

While someone fixed the tire, a few of us wandered to a nearby village.  A volatile young man began speaking intensely at my friend, Jay, so I stood close behind to back him up.  However, as the locals attested with their laughs, the man was harmless, just talking nonsense.  The were used to his "show."

Before my trip, I had researched the civil war in Sierra Leone that lasted from 1991-2002.  I learned of how boys were taken from their families and used as child soldiers.  They were drugged, brainwashed and well-trained to become killers.  After the war, some of them went mad from the killing they had seen and done.  God prepared my heart that I would likely meet some young men like this in Africa.

With this mind, I started to be drawn in by this young man.  I listened to him intently, searching his eyes.  "What is your name?" I asked eventually.  He did not answer.  I asked again.

"My name?" he replied.  "My name is Elijah! And I come down from Heaven..."  and he resumed his show, referencing the biblical story of the transfiguration with Moses and Jesus.

The tire was fixed and we needed to go.  "Elijah" followed us to the edge of the village, continuing his banter.  Some local elders confirmed what my spirit already knew, that he indeed was a child soldier who had seen and delivered many brutal killings.

Dear Elijah, though I don't know your name, I will always remember you and "Mile 91."  If we could talk, what would I say?  I'd say that I am grieved and horrified by what happened to you and your country.  It was not your fault, nothing you did.  I'd tell you that the God of Elijah is your God, too.  He knows your name.  And one day, He will restore all that was lost.

 

Lyrics

You called yourself "Elijah"
A stolen boy, a vacant man
The war that tore you from your tender years
Was far too cruel to understand

You lost your mind, you lost your name
Hope denied, your heart betrayed
Seems you lost your last and only prayer
But all that you are is safely kept
Where wounds are wrapped in innocence
The one who knows your name will meet you there
Elijah

Your hollow eyes Elijah
Reveal a long-forgotten soul
But there's a father who remembers
And vows to never let you go

Chorus

All the tears you never cried
All the childhood dreams that died
All the screams you held inside
All the unrequited truth
All the love you never knew
All will be restored to you

On that day Elijah
When your forsaken heart is claimed
Like a dreamer, you'll awaken
To hear your father call your name

© 2008   Staci Frenes/Nate Sabin/Brian Bates