Raising the Bar

Across America, across the world, across generations, across the span of a lifetime, in pursuits that are both universal and timeless, people seek to find meaning and purpose in their lives. With keen insight, the poet Harry Kemp wrote:

But, chief of all thy wondrous works, Supreme of all thy plan,

Thou hast put an upward reach, Into the heart of man.

Homeward Bound, a musical composition by Marta Keen, carries symbolic lyrics often seen as a metaphor for life’s journey and returning to God. Lines like “Bind me not to the pasture; chain me not to the plow” express a wish to gain independence and transcend earthly limits, while “When adventure’s lost its meaning, I’ll be homeward bound in time” implies seeking renewal, a change in direction, after worldly pursuits. “And the path I’ll be retracing, when I’m homeward bound again” points to regaining a state of emotional stability and spiritual purity.

The song’s broader, universal themes—seeking purpose and returning home—invite varied religious and secular interpretations. Ultimately, its message resonates with many, whether about personal growth or coming back to one’s values.

Music

Greek myths and legends offer insights into the role of music. In ancient Greece, music was an element of basic education and played a part in religious and civic activities. Plato studied music and its influence on individuals, stating that rhythm and harmony affect the mind and can shape character.

Ancient Greeks, despite lacking biochemical knowledge, theorized that music entered through the ears, was processed by the brain, and transmitted via the blood to influence both organs and the soul. Modern research indicates that certain sounds can trigger reactions in the brain that affect the body.

Plato discussed the importance of music in education, defining rhythm as order in movement and pitch as order in articulation; together, these formed choric art. He recommended two forms of education: gymnastics for physical development and music for mental development—believing that both are necessary for balanced growth. According to Plato, music could elicit emotional responses and encourage virtuous behavior.

Plato illustrated his viewpoint using the example of a mother who lulls her child at night, not with silence but with motion and sound, similar to dancing and singing. These external stimuli help ease agitation or fear.

Plato maintained that music could represent emotions such as courage and dignity. Listening to music often aligns one’s feelings with those conveyed by the music. He proposed that beneficial music promotes virtue, while adverse music can lead to negative outcomes.

Exposure to quality music can have long-term effects on personality. Plato suggested that children who experience measured emotional expression through music learn to regulate their feelings. This fosters a sense of well-being and prepares the mind for learning, stimulating curiosity and perception.

Regarding universal enjoyment of music, Plato argued that although everyone can appreciate rhythm and melody, preferences vary. He believed that the value of music could be assessed by the nature of its audience and posited that the best music appeals to those who are virtuous and educated.

In summary, Plato identified three benefits of listening to high-quality music, especially during childhood: it influences emotions and fosters virtues, provides moderated enjoyment that helps the soul appreciate goodness and beauty, and enhances perception, making learning more effective.

A Tale of Two Paul’s

The apostle Paul, formerly Saul, was a Pharisee who persecuted Christians before a vision on the road to Damascus transformed his life. After his baptism, he preached in Arabia and Damascus, travelling widely as a disciple of Christ, ultimately dying as a martyr in Rome.

Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus

In the late 1960s, Paul McCartney faced major personal and professional changes following worldwide fame. Seeking renewal, he moved with his wife Linda to a Scottish farm, embracing rural challenges and self-reliance. The isolation fostered creativity and helped him move beyond the Beatles. Linda’s desire for personal freedom aligned with his journey. Together, they formed Wings.

Paul McCartney’s family farmhouse in Scotland

Touring, with their children in tow, showed Paul the universal nature of people and music’s power to unite different backgrounds. Family responsibilities kept both away from the destructive habits that destroyed the lives of many of their associates and friends, such as Jimmy McCulloch, Hendrix, Joplin, and Keith Moon. Wrote McCartney, “When you think of all the drug taking, of the deaths of many of us, you realize we were lucky, but it was more than that: we avoided the hard drugs, and most of all, it was family . . .  

“Passages of time give us a richness of perspective that I’m particularly aware of now. The fact was that Linda and I now had kids who were growing up. A lot of others didn’t have these kinds of responsibilities. We could no longer go out late. We had to avoid the insanities. Because you had children, you wouldn’t do drugs, and you couldn’t drink as much, either.” Reflecting on how these changes in perspective facilitated his creative process, McCartney values inspiration, nostalgia, and the drive to be different as he continues to create new music.

Conclusion

In the universal message of Homeward Bound, diverse interpretations emerge, both religious and secular. For some, the journey is not necessarily about death, but personal growth, spiritual renewal, and returning to one’s core values or family.

For Saul, lifetime changes began as he fell to the earth when a voice said unto him, “Saul, Saul, why persecutes thou me?” And Saul responded, “Who art thou, Lord?” And the Lord said, “ I am Jesus whom thou persecutes.” And Saul, trembling and astonished said Lord, “What wilt thou have me to do?”

The men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man, led him to Damascus where he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

With the apostle Paul his change was of a spiritual nature, as he was brought into contact with what would become his “calling.” With Paul McCartney, his lifetime of changes began with the realization that he wanted to chart his own path after the adventures of his life had lost their meaning. In the cases of both men, it was about seeking and finding a different path, a higher purpose.  

Note:  Homeward Bound, Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, arranged by Mack Wilberg. This song is also themed in a wonderful period-piece movie from the 1912 Olympics in Sweden, entitled Raising the Bar by TC Christensen.   

SUMMARY

Big Idea

Raising the bar is the universal human quest for meaning, purpose, and personal growth across generations, cultures, and lifetimes. Drawing from poetry, music, philosophy, and biography, individuals seek to transcend earthly limitations, find renewal, and return to their core values.

Key Points

People everywhere strive for purpose, as captured in Harry Kemp’s poetry and the symbolic lyrics of Marta Keen’s “Homeward Bound,” which represent the journey of life and the desire to return to spiritual or emotional wholeness.

Greek philosophy, especially Plato, highlighted music’s power to shape character, emotions, and virtue. Ancient and modern perspectives agree that music deeply influences both mind and body, fostering well-being and learning.

The stories of the apostle Paul and Paul McCartney illustrate profound personal change. Paul’s spiritual awakening led him to a new life mission, while McCartney’s shift to family life and rural isolation fostered creativity and personal growth.

Both Paul’s found deeper purpose by moving away from destructive paths and embracing values of family, responsibility, and inspiration—reflecting the broader theme of returning “home” in a metaphorical sense.

The message of “Homeward Bound” and the life changes of both Paul’s can be seen through religious and secular lenses, emphasizing growth, renewal, and the pursuit of a higher calling.