Well, now I have more free time to post. I love it!
"O Come, O Come Emmanuel" is playing on my radio right now. Yes, Christmas is two weeks away. Stressed yet?? I have never really paid much attention to this traditional Christmas carol until now. (
>Window's Media link to a sound clip of the song.)
The lyrics to this Christmas song are solemn, humble, and almost painful. The chorus cries out to God, "...O come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel!". But, the music and song later reveals a hopeful and triumphant tone, "Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee!" God will fufill his promise. He will send a Savior to help.
Jenny's "Emmanuel" demo is similar in form. Emmanuel means "God With Us" (Incidentally, the feminine form of the name in Germany is Manuela). Jenny's demo contains a similar cry from the heart, "You...must cry Emmanuel! Emmanuel!" Her demo lyrics do not express the same hope that the Christmas carol lyrics express. Instead, her song explores several dimensions of the human condition - pain, doubt, and fear. In response to these conditions, the singer cries out to the only one who can save her, Emmanuel - "Dreams that you've dreamt turn to dust. You ain't got no one to trust. What shall we do with a drunken sailor? You are addicted and must cry Emmanuel."
It's hard to know if the demo is actually complete. Running only two minutes and forty-two seconds long, it's a bit short for most AOB songs. If the work would have made it past the demo stage, would Jenny have completed the song using a hopeful and redemptive sound? Few people know for certain. If we look at her other works, it's surely a possibility. Many of her songs contain elements of darkness and despair mixed with hope and triumph ("Ravine", "He Decides", "Experience Pearls", "Wait Here", etc). Even the titles from works that may appear on a future solo album point to a possible blend of darkness and light ("So Many Mountains", "A Little Hope").
Personally, I think "Wait Here" could be seen as a back-story and follow up to "Emmanuel".
In WH, the singer leaves to see "what's yet unkown" and sneaks out "without a word", but she knows that "somewhere angels heard." After leaving, the singer's dreams "turn to dust" and she has "no one to trust". She cries out for for peace. She cries out to God, "Cry Emmanuel!" And God's response is contained within the chorus of WH, "Find my peace in your misery...it's yours for eternity." I know that's REALLY stretching the meaning of both songs, but it's interesting to see how they can fit together. I suppose it's like an AOB lyrics mash-up. ;o)
Back to the two "Emmanuel" songs: Both songs use a creeping bassline and a deep, contemplative sound to convey the seriousness of the subject matter. Both songs create a solemn atmosphere. Both songs also cry out for a Savior and anticipate that the Savior they cry out for will help them.
Despite musical and lyrical differences, both songs work from the same premise, redemption. One song is a cry for world redemption, while the other is a cry for individual redemption.
