“In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida”, the 1968 Iron Butterfly song, made quite a splash back in the day. The album, which included the 17 minute title song, sold over 30 million copies. When I was 16, I was the proud owner of 2 Iron Butterfly albums: the one mentioned, and one titled “Ball”. Yep, I was one, far out dude!
“In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” – the 60’s psychedelic way of saying “In the garden of Eden.” Simple lyrics, cool organ, wild guitar licks, plodding bass lines, and an interesting drum solo gave the song quite the hypnotizing effect.
I believe it was the Serpent’s theme song, there in the Garden of Eden.
No, not because Rock and Roll is the devil’s music! After all, satan can use music of ANY KIND to proclaim his rebellious message; and he especially uses COUNTRY MUSIC (my humble opinion). But music itself does not enslave a single soul. True, a mind can be mesmerized, hypnotized, and even paralyzed by a certain rhythm, a particular beat. But enslavement is a matter of the heart, just as worship is from the heart.
Nor does music free a soul; even though The Lovin’ Spoonful’s song, “Do you believe in magic?”, indicated otherwise. Music isn’t spiritual, but it can be used to carry a spiritual message; good or bad. Both God and His adversary have used music to carry their message to the masses. But music, in and of itself, has no real power. The spirit BEHIND the music is where the power comes from.
Anyway, as I was trying to say, I believe the Serpent’s Garden Theme Song was the Iron Butterfly tune because it represents him so well! Picture the Serpent singing to Eve, “In the Garden of Eden, baby, don’t you know that I love you. In the Garden of Eden, honey, don’t you know that I’ll always be true. Oh, won’t you come with me and take my hand, oh, won’t you come with me and we’ll walk this land. Please take my hand…”
Yep, quite a way with words, that old serpent. He’s a master at saying one thing, but meaning something else. He’s adorable to someone who loves smooth words and quick promises. He is the cleverest at twisting the truth, and modifying it to serve his purposes. And he’ll have his arm gently on your back, encouraging and consoling, until he’s finished with you. When he’s done, you’re done.
“Eve, don’t you know I would tell you the truth, even if God wouldn’t? You can trust me. After all, I love you and only have your best interest in mind”, the serpent sang.
“But Mr. Serpent, I don’t think I should follow you”, she said, as her body began to sway in rhythm to his hypnotizing tune.
Again he sang, “Oh, please take a bite of this delicious fruit. It was created by God just for you! How could it be wrong if it feels so right?”
“But Mr. Serpent…hmmm, it does feel good deep down inside. You really know a lot, Mr. Serpent. Surely a little bite, a little walk, a little adventure couldn’t be THAT bad…”
I have this belief: the serpent didn’t “win” Adam and Eve over to his way of thinking with just one encounter. No, I believe it was a campaign. He kept repeating the song, “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, honey”, and little by little the defenses wore thin until there were none left! The more Adam and Eve hung around the “jukebox”, listening to the serpent’s tune, over and over, the more they agreed with the message and received the spirit behind the song.
The campaign paid off, Eve took his advice, grabbed a bite of fruit, then handed it to her husband. He ate. Their eyes were open and began to see things, know things, God hadn’t intended them to know.
And it started with a song, the Serpent’s song. In the Garden of Eden.
Are you allowing the old serpent “air time”? Do you keep tuning him in? Have you noticed yourself starting to believe his campaign against God?
Time to step away from the “jukebox”.
Jan Grace 