Inspiration Behind Carry On Wayward Son:
Lead singer and song writer Kerry Livgren added Carry On Wayward last minute to Kansas’ Leftoverture album. Although band members weren’t pleased that they needed to learn a new song just before heading into the studio to record Leftoverture, there was something special about this tune. When asked if Carry On Wayward Son was inspired by Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son, Kerry referred to the lyrics as his autobiography. This spiritual sojourn that Kerry began in the music industry led him to search for truth and meaning in life. After leaving Kansas, Livgren went on to sing for AD and pursue a solo career where biblical themes inspired many of his songs.
Biblical Application:
Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate, Luke 15:11-23.
Exegesis of Carry On Wayward Son:
Carry on my wayward son
There’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry no more
Even if you don’t have any type of religious background, a sense of conviction and guilt will let you know when you are going down the wrong path in life.
Since God doesn’t force human beings to do anything, free will is offered to allow individuals to learn on their own. Whenever a season of rebellion ends, peace can be found through open and honest confession. Livgren appears to quote Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28-30 about finding rest for a weary soul.
Once I rose above the noise and confusion
Just to get a glimpse beyond this illusion
I was soaring ever higher
But I flew too high
Life as a famous musician can bring amazing highs and lows in life. Perhaps, the words of this stanza were inspired by a few moments of solitude while on tour. During a live performance, emotions can get so high that you lose a sense of reality.
Though my eyes could see, I still was a blind man
Though my mind could think, I still was a mad man
I hear the voices when I’m dreaming
I can hear them say
Kerry appears to be restless when he wrote Carry On Wayward Son. Kerry could see glimpses of who God wanted him to be, but he wasn’t ready to change. The human conscience was gnawing at Kerry when he rested like God’s still small voice Elijah experiences in 1 Kings 19.
Carry on, my wayward son
There’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry no more
Instead of listening to a nagging adult telling you what you shouldn’t be doing, God trusted Kerry that he would eventually figure out on his that that he was on the wrong path, Matthew 7:13.
Masquerading as a man with a reason
My charade is the event of the season
And if I claim to be a wise man, well
It surely means that I don’t know
People often try to become who others want them to be instead of who they truly are. This charade continues today as many individuals are afraid to ask for advice, direction or help in life.
On a stormy sea of moving emotion
Tossed about, I’m like a ship on the ocean
I set a course for winds of fortune
But I hear the voices say
Like a ship without a rudder, unexpected storms in life result in an emotional roller coaster. If you don’t have a clear vision like the prodigal son, you’ll continue down a path of self-destruction until you finally hit rock bottom, starving for something true and real.
Carry on, my wayward son
There’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry no more
No!
This stanza is symbolic of an individual who finally comes to their senses. Instead of repeating the same mistakes over and over again, Livgren has decided that enough is enough, no more.
Carry on, you will always remember
Carry on, none can equal the splendor
Now your life’s no longer empty
Surely heaven waits for you
Kerry appears to have had a spiritual breakthrough like the words of Romans 10:9-11. Although there isn’t a clear description of this change, the mention of heaven supports 1 John 5:11-13.
Carry on, my wayward son
There’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry (don’t you cry no more)
No more
Like the parable of the Prodigal Son, Kerry is finally ready to change for the better. This journey and search for truth came to an end with Jesus, John 3:16-17.
Final Thoughts:
When the CW show Supernatural adopted Carry On Wayward Son as its theme song, the legacy of Kansas continues today. Wherever you are in life, keep searching for the questions in life that you are looking for. Don’t allow others to determine or dictate what you believe. Instead, test and see what is true in the world, always discovering, growing and learning. This is the journey of the wayward son.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 