The Beatles never entirely shook off the Catholicism of their youth

Let it Be is not a depressing song. I guess people who have no real hope in God, or anything good, think everything is depressing. Even Mother Theresa felt depressed at times. Anyone who claims someone sold their soul to the devil, is doing the same thing when they judge. Jesus warned about judging. Priests and Pastors who judge humanists, might try to remember that they are are human too - at least while they survive struggling to fit themselves into heaven. No one can change anything without God, because God created everything and everyone. Music is the universal language. Jesus said, where two or more of you agree on anything and ask in my name, it will be done. Lennon and McCartney agreed together to write this song. Who knows whether either of them asked in Christ's name that that they could sing it, write it, record it, and it would be re-played and liked? It happened. It's not demonic - its harmonic. Maybe in another few decades, it will be accepted as a Marian hymn. So what and who really cares if any one of the Beatles were in their minds, singing about Jesus's mother, Paul's mother, John's Aunt Mimi (Mary Elizabeth) and Mary Jane! We inhale incense at Mass too. At least Paul, and John, like the apostles, got people thinking and imagining giving peace a chance.

Like an artist creating a work does not attach instructions for what one is to perceive in it - that is left up to oneself to perceive in it whatever one wants

Its about a MARY JANE which is POT!
MARY JANE= MARJUANA

YOU NEVER KNEW!

When I find myself in times of trouble= When I am down.

Mother Mary comes to me=someone gets me weed(MARY JANE)

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be And in my hour of darkness=He is toking the MARY JANE for song ideas(Wisdom) at night.

She is standing right in front of me( his looking at the MARY JANE vertical in his hand after a toke of it) Speaking words of wisdom, let it be= the high for being buzzed with weird thinking for songs(CREATIVITY)

Let it be, let it be Let it be, let it be= Not a Holy Amen but let it stay lite to smoke and inhale as he looks at it.

Whisper words of wisdom( now that I am high giving me song Ideas) Let it be…. Stay lite... smoke

And when the night is cloudy= He is so high not able to be lucid!

There is still a light that shines on me=the light of the Mary JANE as he puffs to what?

Shine on until tomorrow, let it be= keep smoking and watching the shine of light from the MARY JANE because its a buzz for ideas

I wake up to the sound of music=More creative ideas come with music in my mind or while other music is playing also

Mother Mary comes to me=He lites up another MARY JANE

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be…=Bringing more song ideas to him so good let it be... and so on...

He is a stoned song writer.

This is the period of their heavy drug use. Remember Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds= LSD trip!

Also the Satanist Alester Crowley's picture is next to Mae West and Marilyn Monroe on the Album "Sergent Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band"

What does that tell you?

To say that John was defending Christianity (from a comment below) by saying The Beatles ‘were more popular than Jesus now” is accepting the spin. If John had said, he was worried about the state of Christianity and was respectful of Jesus and the disciples …that’s another thing, but what he said:
"Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue with that; I'm right and I will be proved right. We're more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first - rock 'n' roll or Christianity. Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It's them twisting it that ruins it for me."
Where is the defense?
I always believed that the song ‘Imagine’ (John admitted was anti-religious) was a direct response to Paul and the ‘RAM’ album. Paul used the RAM album to take a parting shot at the Beatles, particularly John. On the back cover is a picture of 2 beetles copulating; on the inside fold is a picture of 2 clowns in a bag (John and Yoko – bagism); and in song lyrics: To Many People – “you took your lucky break and broke it in two” etc. etc. But were there other messages Paul was sending to John on the RAM album. He may have been reminding John of his occult ties. Did John use the occult to achieve fame and fortune? On the back cover of the album is a drawing of the Sun Face (A picture of a sun face may seem innocent enough, but the myths they represent clash with Christianity on every point. Those who turn from Him to “other gods” face destruction) and what looks like a numerology chart directly below it. The strongest message to John may have been the RAM album cover where Paul is pictured holding a ram by the horns. The ram has deep roots in the occult. Satan is frequently pictured as a ram. This is a direct mock of Jesus as mild and meek and a lamb. In the lyrics to the song Ram On, Paul may have been giving John spiritual advice he did not want to hear:
Paul: “Give your heart to somebody soon right away, right away!”
John’s response: “Imagine there’s no heaven, it’s easy if you try, no hell below us above us only sky.”
In the same way Paul wrote one of his biggest hit records in response to John’s remark, “the world is tired of silly love songs.” Was the song Imagine a direct response to Paul? I believe so!
Whatever messages Paul was sending to John on the RAM album one thing is certain John immediately went into the studio to respond. If Paul wanted to reach John on the deepest level he may have been reminding him of his occult ties.
Nothing in the world of The Beatles is simple and clear. As Philip Norman said, “The Beatles is not a normal story, it's a supernatural story, and the pressure was supernatural, and it required supernatural luck to recover from it. And George has recovered from it. He's the one we're going to have to ask about the Beatles, there's no one else to ask now, because Paul won't tell you and Ringo doesn't know. Paul re-writes history, all the time. Ringo - well he just doesn't know, he drank the drink, he smoked the joints, he had the girls and he drummed the drums. That was Ringo. And John isn't here.” (And now George is no longer here to tell)
Supernatural is not a word to be used lightly.


Father Oddie! Have you ever listened to the song Serve Yourself by John Lennon, here’s a link: I guess I missed his ‘sense-of-humor’.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXd25Jqi7G0

Beautiful song, but when John Lennon said the Beatles were more popular than God I threw all the albums I bought for my children out the window and burnt them.

"Let It Be" was a tribute to Paul's deceased mother, Mary.
The words are about her, from her son who missed her.

If only they had listened to Mother Mary. I am with Cardinal Pell.

Imagine no heaven no hell...nufff said...

Imagine when you die, you're gone forever. No one morns, no long lost relatives or loved ones waiting for you on the other side to take your hand. Imagine...That's why it's called FAITH. Perhaps when you die, you will prefer to go, as George Carlin said, to a garage in Buffalo.

I thought the Mary referred to here was Our Blessed Mother too, but was informed Paul McCartney was referring to his mother Mary. I prefer to think of it in the terms you expressed.

Their music wasn't that great . You give then too much credit. It's because we live in a time of mediocrity in the arts. What do you have to compare it to?

I visited the National museum it Ottawa last month. Out tax money payed over 200,000 dollars for a picture that looked like a modified dart board. Everyone stood in awe at the so called ' deeper meaning' of the painting, The Emperor has no clothes.

Their music wasn't that great? It's over 40 years since they broke up and their music is still being played and resonating throughout the music industry. In another 40 years it will still be played and written about. Name one musical artist of today that's better and whose music will be last. There is none. What an idiotic comment to make. Comparing the Beatles to your "national museum in Ottawa" is ludicrous and is irrelevant. The museum thanks you for coming to see the Emperor. *LMAO*

I sometimes wonder if Chesterton had lived to see England in the sixties, this would have been his response.

"They call themselves the flower children, but if one tends to examine a bit closer they seem to be a bit weeded. ; )

Gee: I hate to throw cold water on this party, but I lived thru the late 60's and early 70's in both the States and in Europe. Ask any old hippie what the "Cloudy" lyrics of this song mean, nine out of ten will probably tell you that "Mother Mary," absolutely does NOT refer to the Virgin Mary! "Mother Mary" refers to an herbal remedy for depression, blues, arthritis, a hang-over, cancer, chemo-therapy and anything else that may bother you: It refers to Marijuana! If you don't believe me, ask any old hippies in Amsterdam, and 99.9% who are not still totally stoned, with affirm that "Mother Mary" is a universal euphemism for Marijuana!

When John Lennon said that The Beatles were more popular than Jesus, he was not boasting about it - he was complaining about it. The furore among Christians that followed was the result of a realisation that in fact what he said was true - that a four piece band from Liverpool was more popular than Jesus Christ and rather than admit to their own failings in letting Christianity fall into this deplorable state they instead attacked a man who told them the truth. May he rest in peace.

And looking at the news with the recent issues with Mel Gibson, who, of course, did the Passion, we must realize that, except for a few saints, we are all flawed human beings and we must beg God's mercy for ourselves and for all others.

Let me help you deluded people. The beatles were most likley possessed of demons. There is a book out that claims Lennon sold his soul to the devil for 20 years of fame. The devil came for him when it was time. In any event, the devil loves to give special powers to his minions to lead the masses astray, He comes as an angel of light. This is especially true with catchy modern music that mesmerizes and enchants; such as with the beatles. The fatct is that it is really not uplifting music but leaves you empty and depressed.

There was an Austrian woman by the name of Maria Simma who had been gifted with visits from the souls in purgatory. She was able to ask the souls about many people, and if they were in purgatory or Heaven. She stated in the book "Get Us Out Of Here" that John Lennon is in Heaven. My point is, before you accuse people of being posessed by demons, or selling their souls to the devil, remember that it isn't the people on earth who decide where others go when they die. The final, and only, judge is God.

Yes, absolutely true. A person can repent in their last breathe and be forgiven. I don't recommend waiting that long, but nevertheless, repentance is the key.

But to whom do we repent? Ehich one of the many gods on offer? It could be important to pick the right one. Then thinking about it it's probably safer to remain an atheist, because if one day we end up on our knees in front of the great tooth fary she may say to me that I had lead a dcent ,charitable and honest life and let me into the great wherever. But may look upon others as those that believed in a false god despatch you quickly to that other place. Oh well back to my mother mary

http://www.rock-songs.com/songfacts/let-it-be-beatles.html

Actually, the song was written about his mother, not Our Lady. You're right tho. Whether he intended it or not, it certainly does evoke "Catholic" sentiments...

However, look at Sergeant Peppers cover. Alasteir Crowley and Karl Marx are in the crowd, among others. Never underestimate the devil to use apparently harmless means to deliver quiet, insidious messages...

While I recognize their "greatness" from a musical stand point, I cannot condone them from a theological one. I'm with Cardinal Pell on this one....

Interestingly one of John Lennon's ancestors was a priest who left the Roman Catholic priesthood for a woman so you can see the roots of his spirituality and rebellion. Harrison also had Catholicism in his family and with a name like Starkey and being born in the Dingle area of Liverpool the chances are so did Ringo. However it would be hard to see anything but drug induced hedonism and a woolly spirituality in most of their stuff.

I have always thought so, myself. However the problem with Lennon is that he had a gift for suffering. I think a via negativa can be discerned even in Lennon. Perhaps in purgatory (if he's there) he can reflect on his treatment of his first wife and son. I think the movie "Nowhere Boy" was a really poetic insight into malformation and truth-seeking. Even beneath the cross the song" Imagine "might find a place "Eloi eloi lema sabach thani". Perhaps "Mother is the song of alienation to Mary.

I think some reflection in this direction might help get a more realistic appreciation of sacramentality and even Evelyn Waugh's idea of grace working behind the scenes with recalcitrant and proud, tortured and torturing souls.

Let It Be may or may not have been a Marian hymn in origin but it is perceived to be one by young people in deep trouble. During the trial of Amanda Knox in Perugia Italy, RAI news reported how the student accused and later found guilty of murder used to sing this song on her guitar in prison as a form of solace and prayer to Mother Mary.

McCartney and Harrison may have been Catholic, but they left the Church in spirit for good before they even went to Hamburg. Lennon was raised Anglican and seems to have the best knowledge of the Bible, albeit a spotty one. He constantly references it, usually in a mocking one. He was quite under the influence of people who dismissed Christ's divinity, claiming it was thrust upon him by his disciples. This really resonated with Lennon, who had a classic Christ complex. His ill-advised comment on the Beatles' popularity was no doubt prompted by his immersion in this thinking. BTW he actually became a born-again Christian in the late 70s (following Dylan's lead) but quickly tired of that.

McCartney's "Let It Be" -- who can dispute the authorship with any credibility? -- does what great songs can do. He pays homage to his mother with a very "churchy" anthem (organ part mostly). He probably realized quite quickly that his mother's faith and name created a double-layered meaning for the song and played that up. There's no need to hear it as one or the other, but best as both, like lots of great art. His religion since the 60s can best be described as practicing agnostic without offending anyone.

I agree with prior comments. Paul McCartney's biography clearly states that he was the writer of Let it Be (he was the only Beatle to go and accept the Grammy for it) and that it refers to his Mother who died when he was 14.

I always remember John Lennon in my prayers after Mass because it was Lennon who inspired me to read English literature, which eventually led me to Belloc, Chesterton, McNabb, Knox and Waugh.

John Lennon was raised in the Church of England. He went to Sunday School and sang in the choir of St Peter's Church, Woolton, a few blocks from the home of the aunt who was his foster-mother. If there's Catholicism in his childhood its either mediated through Anglicanism, or it dates to his infancy (and so is unlikely to have lodged in his consciousness).

The more interesting case -- which I would like very much to know more about -- is George Harrison, who was indeed baptized in the Catholic Church and later in life quite famously cultivated his spiritual life -- but he did so through Indian religion. I've long wondered what kind of Catholic upbringing he had, and what his relation was to it.

Church of England and Catholicism are almost interchangeable, so are the hymns. The Church of England didn't separate with Luther they separated for Henry's ability to get a divorce.

"Let It Be" is credited to Lennon and McCartney, but it was essentially created by McCartney. In interviews he himself allows ambiguity in interpreting the song, but he does specifically cite his biological mother, Mary (who died when he was 14). However, in concert the song is accompanied by videos of ever-increasing number of candles, arrayed as in votive racks.

So much talk this year about John Lennon. I wonder what is going to happen this year 2010 in regards to John Lennon. Something big folks. Remember the movie 2010 the year we make contact. Well, think of it as 2010 the year we learn the truth about John Lennon. The whole truth and nothing but the truth. Any day now.

It's ironic that people who don't believe in God, or the Blessed Mother, believe in movies about Mayan culture and the end of the world in 2012. I believe in the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy before I believe a movie from Hollywood about anything. You say you don't believe in Santa? Tell me, what does this person Santa who you don't believe in, look like? What color of suit does he wear? What color is his hair? Does he have a beard? And for the record, I firmly believe in God, and His Blessed Mother.

All good comments by everyone. My two cents --- Lennon never said there wasn't a heaven or hell ---- he only asked us to IMAGINE IT ------- not want it. Each person --- will have a different thought --- -some in the belief that it would be WORSE --- some BETTER. My pastor said it best when it came to the Beatles ---- first they were HUMANISTS......believing that PEOPLE could change things without GOD. And they learned how wrong they were with there Apple Venture. Second --- the YOUTUBE press conference has Lennon saying that he wasn't knocking Christ ------- that he was stating a fact --- that they meant more to kids than Christ. We can deny it --- but he was right. He was knocking it ---- not bragging it. In the end --- Lennon was the one who hated the "beatles" thing the most. We can learn from Lennon the lesson of how important it is to have the "biblical" knowledge of real Christian doctrine. That Christ --- not people ---- will bring a "brotherhood of man." None other. Otherwise --- we'd already be there. I thought it was a positive step for the Beatles/Lennon thing to be forgiven ----- because as humanists ---- they wrote some great songs ---- for many of us --- a soundtrack to our childhood. Finally ---- the idea of Peace, love, brotherhood, anti-violence --- anti-war ----------- is certainly going to be in full swing once Christ comes back. Isn't that what he is bringing ?

You don't rest your case, Let It Be is a McCartney tune. This article is ridiculous.

I did not intend to attribute Let it Be to John Lennon. The headline is not mine

The headline (which was to do with John Lennon alone) has now been changed at my request.

Regardless, the song Let It Be is not a Marian hymn.

Yes, it was our mistake: the article does not claim that any of the songs are written by John Lennon. The headline, and the picture, have been changed.

"Let It Be" was written by McCartney. 'Mother Mary' is McCartney's mother, Mary McCartney, who died of cancer when he was fourteen. The song is not a "Marian hymn".

You are correct Oliver, but when questioned on the song's meaning McCartney said he was okay with people associating the song with Our Lady.

The song was produced by 4 named writers, not just by McCartney. And I think you''re wrong.

You may think Oliver is wrong, but that doesn't change that McCartney has stated fairly firmly that Mother Mary refers to his mother and not Jesus'. In fact, John Lennon ridiculed the song and disavowed any connection to it.

"John Lennon hated this song because of it's apparent Christian overtones. He made the comment before recording it, "And now we'd like to do Hark The Angels Come." Lennon saw to it that "Maggie Mae," a song about a Liverpool prostitute, followed it on the album."

What's more "Here Comes the Sun" was written by George, and Eleanor Rigby's lyrics by Paul.

To call Imagine hateful is dumbfounding. Imagining a world with no heaven or religion is not hateful, but it does challenge people to consider a life of good action for motivations other than a selfish reward. The implication that areligiosity is akin to amorality is a blight on religious commentary at present and only serves to strengthen the arguments of ethical atheists.

You can rest your case and refuse to listen to Oliver's comments, though such stubbornness demonstrates the terrible quality of your arguments. Still, at least you have shown the courage to disagree with Cardinal Pell. I find myself disagreeing with him as often as I agree.

"Liverpool Catholicism of pre-Worlock days"

Ah yes, Worlock, that destroyer of the faith. Most of the current bishops are his acolytes, either in fact (Murphy-O'Connor was his chaplain at one point and Nichols was a Liverpool priest under him) or in spirit.

That's one reason why they're so utterly un-Catholic.

I don't think there is any dispute about Let it be or Blackbird, possibly about Eleanor Rigby (although the main part is almost certainly McCartney). All Beatles songs are credited to Lennon/McCartney even though most of them were either written separately or with minor contributions from each other. For what it is worth I believe there is a lot of Catholicism in Lennon - all be it one we see in many who have lapsed. The spiritual search and the passionate, all be it often distorted, concern for peace and justice.

Isn't it disputed? The official credit for Let It Be is Lennon/McCartney.

At the foundation of the Beatles, John and Paul agreed to credit all songs either wrote to both of them. This meant they would not fight over whose songs made it on to albums (resulting in one getting more money as a songwriter) and would choose songs on merit. There are many example though, in biography and interviews, where a Lennon/McCartney song is actually understood to be the work of one or the other. See Patjones' comment above.

Nearly all the songs you refer to were written by Paul McCartney, with the exception of Here Comes The Sun - written by George Harrison. You clearly did not read John Lennon's "Playboy" interview where he explains who wrote what!

Playboy....now there's a bastion of journalistic integrity. *LMAO*