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| Cover art from Wish You Were Here |
I love a good metaphor. I also love a good classic rock song. So it is especially gratifying to hear a good metaphor in a good classic rock song. For example, the following line from the title song of Pink Floyd’s 1975 album Wish You Were Here:
And did you exchange
A walk-on part in the war
For a lead role in a cage?
There are differing opinions as to what the metaphor actually means. It may be a reference to former Pink Floyd band member Syd Barrett, who at the time of this recording had retired from a reduced role in the band (“a walk-on part in the war”) and was suffering from a five-year drug induced psychosis (“a lead role in a cage”).
But despite the particulars, it is a metaphor (and a song) about detachment and escape from the difficulties and challenges of life.
It is similar to the choice some early believers made in response to increased pressure. Some, apparently, were about to exchange a walk-on part in the war for a lead role in a cage:“Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. ‘For My righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.’ But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.” (Hebrews 10:32-39)
It’s tempting to shrink back. There is a lot of pressure in a war – even if you just have a walk-on role. It’s easier in a cage – especially if you’re the center of attention. But the end result is destruction.
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