Why I love Caedmon's Call

If I had to sum up in one word why I love Caedmon's Call so much:  integration.  They integrate creative, quality music with often subtle references to Bible stories, theological issues, and literary references.  The more I read the more I pick up on things in Caedmon's songs.  For example, in the song Where I Began from the 40 Acres CD, writer Aaron Tate describes his struggle with trying to live life on his own apart from God.  After referring to the verse in John about the impossibility of being snatched from God's hand, he compares himself to Jonah.

Grass looked greener on the other side
So I tried to snatch myself from your hand
Caught a boat to anywhere but Nineveh
And, well you know, got spit back on dry land
 
Then Tate, in one of his most honest lines, echoes St. Augustine with his cry to purify him of his sinful sexual desires, yet realizing that he still wants to enjoy those pleasures.
 
Give me purity and give me continence
But oh no, not yet
 
Another Biblical reference, this time to Jesus' parable about the lost coin:
 
Like a coin hiding in the corner
trying not to be swept
I was trying not to be swept
 
Two more Biblical references, this time the confrontation between God and Saul in Acts 26, followed by Jesus' washing of the disciples' feet.
 
Kicking against these goads
Sure did cut up my feet
Didn't your hands get bloody
As you washed them clean
You washed them
 
CHORUS
Here I am again
Back where I began
Try as I may I can't get away from You
All of these roads that lead me to roam
Lead me back home
Here I am again
Back where I began
 
The second verse refers to the story of the lost sheep, a mythological reference to Sisyphus, and a theological statement on free will and the sovereignty of God.
 
So you have yourself your ninety-nine
Is that enough for you
Still you followed me into the shadowed valley
Got me on your shoulders too
 
I've done the work of Sisyphus
Thinking I could get over this hill
But the one thing I can't get over now
Is the force of your will
 
All in all, a great example of fine writing--and the music rocks as well!  Highly recommended stuff; the entire CD is full of deep and meaningful writing like "Where I Began."  This song only begins to scratch the surface of the quality poeticism found in Caedmon's Call.  If you want an alternative to the shallow, often theologically empty CCM today, head over to Grassrootsmusic; they've got the best prices and the best shipping costs.