U2 songs are written like psalms by king David and others. They are edgy and provoke the listener to take seriously the content and to evaluate life in the light of the sung lyrics. Bono and the lads are masters of the genre. "Peace on earth" is written in that vein and is from the album "All That You Can’t Leave Behind" that was released in 2000.
We need it now
I'm sick of all of this
Hanging around
Sick of sorrow
I'm sick of the pain
I'm sick of hearing
Again and again
That there's gonna be
Peace on Earth
Where I grew up
There weren't many trees
Where there was we'd tear them down
And use them on our enemies
They say that what you mock
Will surely overtake you
And you become a monster
So the monster will not break you
And it's already gone too far
You said that if you go in hard
You won't get hurt
Jesus can you take the time
To throw a drowning man a line
Peace on Earth
Tell the ones who hear no sound
Whose sons are living in the ground
Peace on Earth
No who's or why's
No one cries like a mother cries
For peace on Earth
She never got to say goodbye
To see the color in his eyes
Now he's in the dirt
Peace on Earth
They're reading names out
Over the radio
All the folks the rest of us
Won't get to know
Sean and Julia
Gareth, Anne, and Breeda
Their lives are bigger than
Any big idea
Jesus can you take the time
To throw a drowning man a line
Peace on Earth
To tell the ones who hear no sound
Whose sons are living in the ground
Peace on Earth
Jesus in the song you wrote
The words are sticking in my throat
Peace on Earth
Hear it every Christmas time
But hope and history won't rhyme
So what's it worth
This peace on Earth
Peace on Earth
Peace on Earth
Peace on Earth
"Peace on Earth" was written by Bono after the Omagh bombing in August 1998. "Peace On Earth" is a prayer of lament that takes its cue from the angels proclamation to the shepherds at the birth of Jesus in Luke 2.
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
"Peace on Earth" asks, where is this peace on earth? “Jesus can you take the time / To throw a drowning man a line / Peace on Earth.” This dissatisfaction over the gap between “hope and history” is a major theme of U2′s music and is expressed well in this song: “Hear it every Christmas time / But hope and history won’t rhyme / So what’s it worth / This peace on Earth.”
This is a real lament that is echoed in the hearts of millions across the world during this 2014 Christmas season. A lament that cry's out to God for fulfilment of the promises. You cannot help getting cynical in face of the darkness that we endure personally, in our communities, cities, in nations and in the complex world in which we live. Where is this peace on earth?
Later in Luke 2 we hear of the presentation of Jesus in the temple. In the reading we encounter two of the faithful, Simeon and Anna who have not given up on the promises of God for redemption, salvation and peace. These two elderly saints in Jerusalem have stayed the course, they have believed against all the odds. They have not allowed themselves to grow cynical with old age. They have maintained the faith despite the darkness and the insurmountable pressures that the people of God were enduring. They may well have lamented but they would not allow themselves to abandon God or faith. They believed. I believe that this is where we are too. We can sings the songs of lament and at the same time not give up on faith in Jesus. In the song Bono is talking to Jesus and is basically asking the question "Where is this peace on earth?" It is a question that we all may ask as well. It is something to work for ....peace in families.....neighbourhoods .......communities.....cities......and in the whole world. I'm still believing for it. I hope you are too.
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