Blue Oyster Cult – (Don’t Fear) The Reaper (Lyrics)
Inspiration Behind the Reaper:
The front man for Blue Oyster Cult, Donald Roeser, wrote the Reaper at 28 after being diagnosed with heart arrhythmia. Donald used this life crisis as a way to confront his own mortality. Blue Oyster Cult wanted to create something more than a pop song in 1976, using Donald’s personal experience and literary influences to craft the lyrics to the Reaper. Tired of being just a top 40 band. Donald channeled his inner Jethro Tull to shape the sound of the Reaper.
Biblical Application:
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes, James 4:13-14.
Exegesis of the Reaper:
All our times have come
Here, but now they’re gone
Life flies by as time, clocks, keep ticking.
Seasons don’t fear the Reaper
Nor do the wind, the sun, or the rain
(We can be like they are) come on, baby
(Don’t fear the Reaper) baby, take my hand
(Don’t fear the Reaper) we’ll be able to fly
(Don’t fear the Reaper) baby, I’m your man
La, la-la-la-la
La, la-la-la-la
Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall, the weather, isn’t influenced or impacted by the Reaper. However, the Reaper will use global crisis’s, national disasters, and severe storms to spread fear throughout mankind. Upon hearing his diagnosis, Donald didn’t want his medical condition to influence his relationship at this time.
Valentine is done
Here, but now they’re gone
Donald appears to reference St. Valentine who was martyred for trying to protect sacred marriage in his day. Valentine faced the Reaper, willing to die for his faith.
Romeo and Juliet are together in eternity (Romeo and Juliet)
Forty thousand men and women every day (like Romeo and Juliet)
Forty thousand men and women every day (redefine happiness)
Another forty thousand coming every day
In this stanza, Donald uses Shakespear to illustrate his point, willing to die if their parents didn’t let them marry. History is filled with countless individuals who couldn’t escape the Reaper.
(We can be like they are) come on, baby
Donald is trying to convince the love of his life to not be afraid.
(Don’t fear the Reaper) baby, take my hand
(Don’t fear the Reaper) we’ll be able to fly
(Don’t fear the Reaper) baby, I’m your man
We can make it if we stick together.
La, la-la-la-la
La, la-la-la-la
A subtle transition.
Love of two is one
Here, but now they’re gone
Perhaps a reference to the unity of a strong marriage as a couple becomes one.
Came the last night of sadness
And it was clear she couldn’t go on
The door was open and the wind appeared
The candles blew and then disappeared
The curtains flew and then he appeared
A poetic stanza which highlights that human life is short, like a mist that suddenly disappears.
(Saying, “Don’t be afraid”) come on, baby
(And she had no fear) and she ran to him
(Then they started to fly) they looked backward and said goodbye
(She might become like they are) she had taken his hand
(She had become like they are) come on, baby
(Don’t fear the Reaper)
The last stanza serves as a final call to face your fears, stand together and live life to its fullest.
Final Thoughts:
The Reaper appeared in the 1978 horror film Halloween. However, it was one of the opening scenes in Stephen King’s The Stand which helped me appreciate the Reaper. The melody and lyrics combine to create a timeless classic. As someone who has faced a series of life altering events, my faith in Christ has removed most of my fear of dying. As a recent grandfather, there are several events that I would like to be around to witness, but only God knows when I will breathe my last breath.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 