Inspiration Behind Tom Sawyer:
Tom Sawyer is a fictional character conceived within the mind of Mark Twain. Tom is a young boy who grew up along the banks of the Mississippi River, highlighted by unconstrained mischievous adventures exploring this massive body of water. The inspiration behind Rush’s song relied on Mark Twain’s 1876 novel and Canadian poet Pye Dubois. These resources helped Rush imagine what a modern Tom Sawyer would be like if alive today.
Biblical Application:
The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ 5 And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious people—they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or be terrified by them, though they are a rebellious people. 7 You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. 8 But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious people; open your mouth and eat what I give you,”Ezekiel 2:4-8.
Exegesis of Tom Sawyer:
A modern day warrior
Mean, mean stride
Today’s Tom Sawyer
Mean, mean pride
Rush envisions Tom Sawyer as cocky, cruel and someone with swagger.
Though his mind is not for rent
Don’t put him down as arrogant
His reserve, a quiet defense
Riding out the day’s events
The river
This Tom is self-taught. His arrogance comes from learned experiences, far more advanced from young boys his age. Every day provides a new chance to learn like the original Tom on the Mississippi River.
What you say about his company
Is what you say about society
Catch the mist, catch the myth
Catch the mystery, catch the drift
Don’t judge a book by its cover. This is what every generation says about the one that follows. Take time to look at someone’s background and back story to see who they really are and why they act and behave the way that they do.
The world is, the world is
Love and life are deep
Maybe as his skies are wide
The world is complex. Meanwhile, love and life run deep into one’s soul. It takes time to figure people out.
Today’s Tom Sawyer
He gets high on you
And the space he invades
He gets by on you
Every day was an adventure for Tom. Self-discovery kept Tom hungry to learn more about the unknown. This led Tom to invade private property, sneaking in and out before being noticed.
No, his mind is not for rent
To any god or government
Always hopeful, yet discontent
He knows changes aren’t permanent
But change is
The original Tom was into rugged individualism. He didn’t care what others thought, only concerned with self-discovery. Tom wasn’t influenced by any government or religion. Rather, life is an adventure filled with hope and disappointment. Change is a constant part of life.
And what you say about his company
Is what you say about society
Catch the witness, catch the wit
Catch the spirit, catch the spit
The Bible disagrees with this stanza as the apostle Paul warns a first century church that bad character does corrupt good morals, 1 Corinthians 15:33.
The world is, the world is
Love and life are deep
Maybe as his eyes are wide
Life is filled with mysterious, questions that you search for answers to for years.
Exit the warrior
Today’s Tom Sawyer
He gets high on you
And the energy you trade
He gets right on to the friction of the day
If you focus too much on what others are doing instead of what you need to be doing, you let Tom Sawyer get under your skin, your emotions. Instead, turn your energy and focus on the concerns of current events so that you can make a difference in life.
Final Thoughts:
What if the newest version of Tom Sawyer is Donald J. Trump? This would explain the rise in Trump Derangement Syndrome as democrats, liberals, progressives and socialists are obsessed with everything Trump. Rather than wakeup and try to find something that you hate about this president, start each new day by coming up with solutions to make this world a better place.
by Jay Mankus
Guy guy
ExpressYourself4Him 