"I feel as though...

... we should move right into the religious material."
—Tom Waits, preface to "Way Down in the Hole" from Big Time.

Waits has a religious streak in him a mile wide, and has shown it for many years. I don't know if it was the influence of marrying Kathleen Brennan, or if he was raised in church. None of that matters, really, and is none of my business. I love the body of work they both have created* and have especially paid attention to those off-kilter hymns, if you will, that have peppered his back catalog and especially his current release Orphans.

Much like a fire-n-brimstone preacher of yore, Tom has buried nuggets of eschatology in songs such as "Jesus Gonna Be Here" and "Earth Died Screaming." Other songs such as "Take Care of All of My Children" give voice to a departing believer, who pointedly asks the LORD to take care of those they are leaving behind at the moment of death.

I recently came across an article written by a pastor who happens to share my appreciation for Tom Wait's Biblical bent, and it's definitely worth reading.

Stay tuned for some mp3 goodies to come. (I'm lunch-hour-bloggin'.)

+ Tom Waits — Way Down in the Hole [Live]
+ Tom Waits — Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet

Artwork by Trevor Grove

* most, if not all of his work since marrying Kathleen credits her as co-writer in the liner notes.