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MissClaire
Guest
Does anyone else feel peace when hearing “Let it Be” by The Beatles? I’m sure the song wasn’t meant as such, but it is such a Catholic song. =)
Pax.
Pax.
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LARSCOUT0311
Guest
I like the song alot, but the version from the movie “Across the Universe” in my opinion is much more calming, though the circumstances surrounding the song in the movie are pretty harsh.
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MissClaire
Guest
Never seen the movie, haha.
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LARSCOUT0311
Guest
A very strange movie and not really that good. Vietnam war, drugs and other things in the 60’s early 70’s all to Beatles’ songs. Alot of the versions of the Beatles’ songs by the cast of this movie I like better than the Beatles themselves. I know…it’s almost blasphemy. However, this version of “Let it Be” is sung by a little kid and a church choir.
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colmcille1
Guest
Hi Miss Claire.
I like the song. And then just before Christmas I was at Mass in a college chapel. The lady soloist sang it as the exit “hymn”. I was shocked. There are plenty of great traditional hymns she could have sung. Why did she do this one? For street cred? A personal favourite and therefore a bit of an ego trip?
Nope. Sacred in the Church, secular on the street.That’s the way it ought to be.
God Bless,
Colmcille.
I like the song. And then just before Christmas I was at Mass in a college chapel. The lady soloist sang it as the exit “hymn”. I was shocked. There are plenty of great traditional hymns she could have sung. Why did she do this one? For street cred? A personal favourite and therefore a bit of an ego trip?
Nope. Sacred in the Church, secular on the street.That’s the way it ought to be.
God Bless,
Colmcille.
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Bwtby
Guest
Aaron Neville’s version is 100x better. And when he sings it, it is a Catholic song. 
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MtnDwellar
Guest
Let it be is a beautiful song. Knowing some about the personal of lives and spiritual practices of the fab four, it is surprising that John and Paul wrote one for us Catholics.
Thanks
Thanks
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FCEGM
Guest
Not intentionally - “mother Mary” is a reference to Paul’s mother.Let it be is a beautiful song. Knowing some about the personal of lives and spiritual practices of the fab four, it is surprising that John and Paul wrote one for us Catholics.
Thanks
K
kentuckyliz
Guest
Paul was also Catholic. Let it be refers to Mary’s words at the Annunciation–Let it be done unto me according to thy word.
I don’t know if he is still Catholic or returned to it, or not. Does anyone know?
I don’t know if he is still Catholic or returned to it, or not. Does anyone know?
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FCEGM
Guest
McCartney credits the line to his deceased mother who told him in a dream “it will be all right, just let it be.”
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WesleyF
Guest
I don’t feel peace at all. I instead feel anger. The Beatles were an anti-Christ band and I am not in the least willing to believe that “Mother Mary” comes to him saying “let it be”.
“When I find myself in times of trouble”, Mother Mary doesn’t tell me “let it be”. I think Mother Mary would say, “Cast your burdens upon the Lord” or “Go to the Lord”.
“Let it be” is not Mother Mary’s answer to trouble.
K
kildare
Guest
Its a great song -period!
While we cant go into the mind of an author, I personally think that Paul actually did actually understand that in saying Mother Mary he was invoking something much more than his own poor mother (may she rest in peace). However with his subsequent statements he was obviously covering it up as the rational side (not the inspirational side) might not have been in agreement -and that often happens By 1969 the other Beatles thought he was already too bland/soft/eager too please/not counter cultural enough.Anyway I have this feeling, which is half based on what he has said down through the years, that deep down Paul is a good guy and actually does sort of believe at some level- maybe higher than we expect actually.
Now in 1964 Derek Taylor, the Beatle publicist said
“They’re [the Beatles] completely anti-Christ. I mean, I am anti-Christ as well, but they’re so anti-Christ they shock me which isn’t an easy thing”
Strong words, and certainly John Lennon was notoriously for his outrageous behavior in churches as a young Anglican. Actually John and Paul came together as teenagers and the bond between them had a lot to with the common experience of losing their mothers at a young age and they were both extremely angry young med (angry at God?). However while Johns Mother was quite reckless and left his upbringing to his aunt, Paul’s mother was devoutly catholic, as one would expect from an Irish immigrant at the time. His father was agnostic, and Paul was just that (if not more extreme for much of the Beatles period), but I think things changed, especially after he hooked up with Linda. His subsequent life might not be exemplary in the purest catholic sense, but it was refreshing when contrasted to many of his peers of the period.
As for John, I think he tried to come back to Christ in the late 70s, but I know that Yoko was quite atheistic. His end was very sad and unjust! However in an earlier Rolling Stone interview they are discussing George’s new found (hindu) belief in the supernatural, and Yoko seems to be very dismissive of the idea of a higher spirit- much more so than John, who almost had to defend his ex-band mate.
But the Beatles were certainly not anti-christ!. There are many renaissance Popes who lived immoral (and hypocritical) lives but thanks to them we have great monuments to the faith in Rome and elsewhere. The Holy Spirit works in mysterious ways but its end result is always good. My view is that anything GOOD, including good art, comes from the Holy Spirit. Sometimes the Spirit inspires the artist on to something they normally wouldn’t have done.
I think Let it Be is a great song of assurance and peace!
While we cant go into the mind of an author, I personally think that Paul actually did actually understand that in saying Mother Mary he was invoking something much more than his own poor mother (may she rest in peace). However with his subsequent statements he was obviously covering it up as the rational side (not the inspirational side) might not have been in agreement -and that often happens By 1969 the other Beatles thought he was already too bland/soft/eager too please/not counter cultural enough.Anyway I have this feeling, which is half based on what he has said down through the years, that deep down Paul is a good guy and actually does sort of believe at some level- maybe higher than we expect actually.
Now in 1964 Derek Taylor, the Beatle publicist said
“They’re [the Beatles] completely anti-Christ. I mean, I am anti-Christ as well, but they’re so anti-Christ they shock me which isn’t an easy thing”
Strong words, and certainly John Lennon was notoriously for his outrageous behavior in churches as a young Anglican. Actually John and Paul came together as teenagers and the bond between them had a lot to with the common experience of losing their mothers at a young age and they were both extremely angry young med (angry at God?). However while Johns Mother was quite reckless and left his upbringing to his aunt, Paul’s mother was devoutly catholic, as one would expect from an Irish immigrant at the time. His father was agnostic, and Paul was just that (if not more extreme for much of the Beatles period), but I think things changed, especially after he hooked up with Linda. His subsequent life might not be exemplary in the purest catholic sense, but it was refreshing when contrasted to many of his peers of the period.
As for John, I think he tried to come back to Christ in the late 70s, but I know that Yoko was quite atheistic. His end was very sad and unjust! However in an earlier Rolling Stone interview they are discussing George’s new found (hindu) belief in the supernatural, and Yoko seems to be very dismissive of the idea of a higher spirit- much more so than John, who almost had to defend his ex-band mate.
But the Beatles were certainly not anti-christ!. There are many renaissance Popes who lived immoral (and hypocritical) lives but thanks to them we have great monuments to the faith in Rome and elsewhere. The Holy Spirit works in mysterious ways but its end result is always good. My view is that anything GOOD, including good art, comes from the Holy Spirit. Sometimes the Spirit inspires the artist on to something they normally wouldn’t have done.
I think Let it Be is a great song of assurance and peace!
O
on_eagles_wingz
Guest
Yes yes! I so love this song! If its ok, I think it appropriate to post the lyrics here in case anyone is curious as to what it is about. I really love these lyrics too!
Let It Be
When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
And when the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree,
There will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is
Still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Yeah, There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
(instrumental break)
Let it be, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
And when the night is cloudy,
There is still a light that shines on me.
Shine until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
There will be no sorrow, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be. hoooo’ hoooo’
J
JimR-OCDS
Guest
Years ago I saw a documentary on Paul McCartney which was interesting.
After the break up of the Beatles, the members had to wait for the lawyers and courts to divide up their accumulated wealth and in the meantime, they were given a meager allowance to live on.
Paul took his wife and children into Scotland where he purchased an old farm, where he and his family lived a simple life, living off the land and fixing up the place.
In the documentary, Paul went to Mass almost everyday.
Also, he went into a depression over the breakup of the Beatles, believing that his success was solely the result of the other members of the band.
His wife, told him that his talent was much a part of the Beatles success as anything else. She convinced him to continue writing his music and his songs would become hits.
Its from that farm house that he wrote the songs which eventually were recorded with his new band “Wings,” and all became hits.
Ironically, Paul is the only one left of the Beatles, still enjoying a successful career with his music.
Also, I recall an interview with Paul where the song “Let it Be,” came up. The interviewer asked what the song was about and how many believed it was about Mary, the Blessed Mother. Paul said it was actually about his mother, but was appropriate for people to see it as refering to the Blessed Mother, if that makes them feel closer to her.
Jim
After the break up of the Beatles, the members had to wait for the lawyers and courts to divide up their accumulated wealth and in the meantime, they were given a meager allowance to live on.
Paul took his wife and children into Scotland where he purchased an old farm, where he and his family lived a simple life, living off the land and fixing up the place.
In the documentary, Paul went to Mass almost everyday.
Also, he went into a depression over the breakup of the Beatles, believing that his success was solely the result of the other members of the band.
His wife, told him that his talent was much a part of the Beatles success as anything else. She convinced him to continue writing his music and his songs would become hits.
Its from that farm house that he wrote the songs which eventually were recorded with his new band “Wings,” and all became hits.
Ironically, Paul is the only one left of the Beatles, still enjoying a successful career with his music.
Also, I recall an interview with Paul where the song “Let it Be,” came up. The interviewer asked what the song was about and how many believed it was about Mary, the Blessed Mother. Paul said it was actually about his mother, but was appropriate for people to see it as refering to the Blessed Mother, if that makes them feel closer to her.
Jim
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simple_soul
Guest
*I loved this song when I was younger. The funny thing is I never knew it was a Beatles song until this thread was started.
What this thread made me think about is how many millions of people sing this song and either consciously or subconsciously are following Our Blessed Mother Mary’s example by joining her when she said to the Angel Gabriel “Let it be”… done to me according to Thy Word and just putting our trust in God and His Divine plan.
Dwelling on this thought makes me wonder how much and how long she and the Holy Spirit have been working in our hearts, minds. and souls and we are barley even aware of it.
*
What this thread made me think about is how many millions of people sing this song and either consciously or subconsciously are following Our Blessed Mother Mary’s example by joining her when she said to the Angel Gabriel “Let it be”… done to me according to Thy Word and just putting our trust in God and His Divine plan.
Dwelling on this thought makes me wonder how much and how long she and the Holy Spirit have been working in our hearts, minds. and souls and we are barley even aware of it.
*
S
Sarabande
Guest
That is very interesting. I’ve always loved the song and although I’ve liked McCartney/Lennon as a team, I have felt that he was stronger in his lyrics as well as music writing.
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