Any Neil Young fans out there know that "Heart of Gold" is also a song title. But it's much more than a song. It's become such a popular phrase that you'd be hard-pressed not to hear it around now and again. People with hearts of gold might be rare, but this phrase sure isn't. We hear it all the time when someone is talking about how totally generous and earnest someone is. Simply put saying that appears in the song lyrics are a combination of two things that are precious. The "Heart" and "Gold" Two things that many think are worth searching for. If found people with the "Hearts of Gold" are worth hanging onto.
"I wanna live, I wanna give
I've been a miner for a heart of gold
It's these expressions I never give
Keeps me searching for a heart of gold
And I'm getting old
They keep me searching for a heart of gold
And I'm getting old
I've been to Hollywood, I've been to redwood
I've crossed the ocean for a heart of gold
I've been in my mind, its such a fine line,
That keeps me searching for a heart of gold
And I'm getting old
It keeps me searching for a heart of gold
And I'm getting old
Keeps me searching for a heart of gold,
Keeps me searching and I'm growing old
Keeps me searching for a heart of gold
I've been a miner for a heart of gold
And I'm getting old."
The song "Heart of Gold" features backup vocals of James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt, and is one of a series of soft acoustic pieces which were written partly as a result of a back injury. Young was unable to stand for long periods of time and simply could not play his electric guitar. Because of the back injury he returned to his acoustic guitar, which he could only play sitting down. He also played his harmonica during the three instrumental portions, including the introduction to the song.
The general theme of the song is about "Searching" and it sees the person in the song visiting different places to try and find what he is looking for. In the song the thing that is being searched for is "A Heart of Gold" By this it is a assumed that the narrator in the song is looking for something outside of himself - The "Heart of Gold" or it also could mean that the narrator is hoping that he will find in himself a "Heart of Gold" No matter the theme is self evident.. that of "Quest" or "Searching".
Searching also is a grand theological theme that we find through the bible. These are just a few references to that theme.
Abraham left his home in search of a land God promised him. Moses and the children of Israel left Egypt in search of the promised land.
In Deuteronomy 4:29-31 we find the grand scale theme of searching for God.
"But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. "When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice. "For the LORD your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them"
In the Psalms we find the search for God
1. Psalm 14:2 "The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there are any who understand, Who seek after God"
2. Psalms 27:8 "When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O LORD, I shall seek."
The Prophets speak of the search for God
1. Isaiah 55:6 "Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near"
2. Jeremiah 29:13 'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart"
The New Testament Gospels also contains the grand theme of "Searching" We find People who are searching for wholeness, like the blind, the lame and the lepers. We find Jesus using stories about searching In Luke 15 Jesus tells stories of Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, Lost Son and the searching for them. In the Acts of the Apostles as well as in the epistles we can find the early church and the apostles "Searching". We also find references to the people these early pioneers spoke to. "Searching is a fundamental" Theological theme in the bible.
Here are a few more "Searching" passages from the New Testament.
1. Matthew 13:44-46 "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
2. Luke 11:9-10 "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. "For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened"
3. Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him"
Perhaps the greatest "Searching" passage of the gospels is found in Matthew's gospel chapter 6.
Matthew 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you"
What is it that is worth searching for in the first place. Riches, Power, Position, Pleasure. These are fleeting things. These are finite things, things that in themselves won't last. Surely that which should be given time to seek and search for is eternal and will never fade out. A life with Jesus, Love, Joy, Peace. God himself.
What's worth the "Searching" for Neil Young it's a "Heart of Gold" What is it for you?
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