Said one of my best friends (Frater Cowculus, to be explicit) when I told him I really liked the movie “Purple Rain”.

BY Frater Bovious

(CARROLLTON, Tx – Cradle of Civilization) So, yeah. Purple Rain. Prince. And, oddly, Truth – as in “I Would Die For You.”

The first time I heard this song I was watching a VHS tape of Purple Rain on my TV. What with Prince’s overtly sexual gyrations, it was pretty easy to miss the lyrics of this song. Then one day, many many years later, I heard the song on the radio, and became intrigued by the lyrics – went home, used the Internet as Al Gore intended, and found the lyrics. Oila! here was a song that, for me at any length, appeared to be about Jesus, whether by accident or design, I’ve no clue:

I’m not a woman

I’m not a man

I am something that you’ll never understand I’ll never beat u

I’ll never lie

And if you’re evil I’ll forgive u by and by U – I would die 4 u, yeah

Darling if u want me 2

U – I would die 4 u I’m not your lover

I’m not your friend

I am something that you’ll never comprehend No need 2 worry

No need 2 cry

I’m your messiah and you’re the reason why ‘Cuz U – I would die 4 u, yeah

Darling if u want me 2

U – I would die 4 u

You’re just a sinner I am told

Be your fire when you’re cold

Make u happy when you’re sad

Make u good when u are bad I’m not a human

I am a dove

I’m your conscience

I am love

All I really need is 2 know that

U believe Yeah, I would die 4 u, yeah

Darling if u want me 2

U – I would die 4 u Yeah, say one more time U – I would die 4 u

Darling if u want me 2

U – I would die 4 u

2 3 4 U I would die 4 u

I would die 4 u

U – I would die 4 u

U – I would die 4 u

So this is my own odd introduction into the season of Lent – to consider the truth that Jesus died for me. And you.

Question with brief intro: Ever heard someone say, “Well, I’m not a theologian…” I would like to say that at one level, we all are theologians to the extent that we are interested in, or seek, the truth. I have no idea what Prince’s intent was with this song. I think I recall reading he was a Jehovah’s Witness or something. Nevertheless, while not a rigorous theology, I found some truth in his song. Have you ever been riding along in a car or sitting at home listening to the radio and suddenly realized the song had an unsuspected depth? Or presented a truth, however flawed in its presentation, that for some reason that day was the first time you noticed? And it made you stop and consider? If so, then you may have come across an accidental theologian. Please let me know in the comments.

On another note, some may wonder at Frater Cowculus, and note that I am Frater Bovious, and wonder all the more. Keep on wondering. Muhuhuwahahahaha.