"Word on a Wing," by David Bowie, from Station to Station, 1976.

Past

A twenty-eight word poem

'Twill be jubilation if tarnished soul passed

Scattered past sins so fast amassed

Away Golden Gates pariah cast

Elysium beyond reach classed

Saint Peter aghast

My caste

Passed

--- Lisa Cole-Allen.

David Bowie wrote this masterpiece of blue-eyed soul music in 1975, the lowest

point according to Bowie he had ever experienced in his life. In "Word on a Wing,"

Bowie voices his faith, doubts and beliefs, his plea for salvation, his acknowledge-

ment that his behavior cannot be considered Godly, and his solemn promise to God.

At the time of this writing, David Bowie began to wear the silver crucifix which he

wears to this day.

In this age of grand illusion
You walked into my life
out of my dreams
I don't need another change
Still you forced a way
into my scheme of things

"In this age of grand illusion" sets the time frame of the poem, the 'seventies,

known sociologically as "the ME generation." The 'sixties were over, along

with its free love and brotherhood illusions. People were now self-absorbed,

profligate and discontented. Divorce, substance abuse and indebtedness are

some of the hallmarks of these times when people wanted more. "You walked

into my life out of my dreams." The speaker has awakened to God as a reality,

while he had formerly thought of God as a dream. "I don't need another change;"

though hesitant, he realizes that God "forced a way" into his "scheme of things,"

the phrase a unique way of describing one's life plan.

You say we're growing,
growing heart and soul
In this age of grand illusion
You walked into my life
out of my dreams
Sweet name, you're born once again for me
Sweet name, you're born once again for me
Oh sweet name, I call you again
You're born once again for me
Just because I believe don't mean I don't think as well
Don't have to question everything
in heaven or hell

"You say we're growing...heart and soul" alludes to faith as a lifelong journey.

God has come back into the speaker's life, and he feels joyous: "Oh, sweet name,

I call you again. You're born once again for me." The speaker needs but reach out

to the "sweet name" that will always be there for him. This passage also expresses

reservation: "Just because I believe don't mean I don't think as well." He believes,

but he still ... "think[s]." The speaker chooses faith; he need not "question

everything in heaven or hell."

Lord, I kneel and offer you
my word on a wing
And I'm trying hard to fit
among your scheme of things

The spare lines of the chorus have such depth in meaning. On bended knee, the

speaker addresses the Lord: "I ...offer you my word on a wing," wing a powerful

metaphor that brings to mind flight, freedom, angels, protection and guidance. In

this passage, the narrator gives his word on the purest part of himself, the angel's

wing. He solemnly promises that he is "trying hard to fit among [God's] scheme

of things," lead a better life.

It's safer than a strange land
But I still care for myself
And I don't stand in my own light
Lord, lord, my prayer flies
like a word on a wing

In this passage of the chorus, the narrator says that God's way is "safer than a strange

land," his present ungodly life, and admits to God, "I don't stand in my own light,"

a realization that he cannot make it on his own. He beseeches, "Lord, lord, my prayer

flies like a word on a wing," an urgent prayer for salvation of his soul before it's too late.

My prayer flies
like a word on a wing
Does my prayer fit in
with your scheme of things?

The last lines of the chorus so move me. The speaker's prayer "flies like a word on a

wing," given in free will. He humbly asks, "Does my prayer fit in with your scheme of

things?" He wonders if God will forgive him, if he will be accepted into God's kingdom.

In this age of grand illusion
You walked into my life
out of my dreams
Sweet name, you're born once again for me
Just as long as I can see, I'll never stop this vision flowing
I look twice and you're still glowing
Just as long as I can walk
I'll walk beside you, I'm alive in you
Sweet name, you're born once again for me
And I'm ready to shape the scheme of things

As we reach the end of "Word on a Wing," six blissful minutes of musical poetry,

we find that Bowie has saved the best lines for last. The speaker commits himself

freely, totally and passionately to God. This soulful song has now become a hymn.

The speaker knows that God is everywhere, and will always be there: "Just as long

as I can see, I'll never stop this vision flowing; I look twice and you're still glowing."

He wants God's guidance and protection always: "Just as long as I can walk I'll walk

beside you, I'm alive in you." He vows to never stray from God again: "Sweet name,

you're born once again for me. And I'm ready to shape the scheme of things." The

speaker will live a Godly life; he offers his "word on a wing."

"Word on a Wing" is the most analyzed and pondered of all of David Bowie's songs.

I am proud to enjoy this music, and again ponder his unique words. If any rock song

has a purpose other than to be enjoyed, surely it is "Word on a Wing," poetry with a

message that resonates, perhaps moving the listener to "shape the scheme of things."