I was in the market today when I noticed the song “Walking in Memphis” by Marc Cohn was playing over the sound system. I think I noticed it because it wasn’t a Christmas song. It even felt a little normal, like I was suddenly transported to somewhere in January and all the holiday stuff was history.
I also probably noticed it because I happen to like this song. It’s a song that captures a lot of emotion about a place from Elvis and Graceland to Union Avenue and the blues clubs of Beale Street. In fact if you don’t know this local color, you will be left out of the meaning of the second line of the chorus: “Walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale.” It used to bug the life out of me that I couldn’t understand that line.
But my favorite part of the song is the second verse:
Now Muriel plays piano
Every Friday at the Hollywood
And they brought me down to see her
And they asked me if I would
Do a little number
And I sang with all my might
And she said
“Tell me are you a Christian child?”
And I said “Ma’am I am tonight!”
Every time I hear that line it’s like a recorded conversion. It’s about the immediacy of faith. And it puts faith in the center of a passion for life, for music, for Elvis, for the influences of gospel and blues… how could anyone not be a Christian in that setting?
Now I can hear the naysayers arguing that he isn’t talking about really becoming a Christian here, to which I say if he isn’t, I still prefer his Christianity to theirs. His is alive; it’s compelling; it’s full of the blues; it’s connected to people and their real emotions and experiences. It’s Christianity with a pulse. And it’s immediate. Present tense.
And today while I was reflecting on all of this, I thought again of Christmas and the thought that maybe this is more of a Christmas song than meets the ear. Because what is Christmas but God joining the human experience? It’s God becoming human and saying a big “Yes!” over music and the blues and life in the big city. God said “Yes” to everything about being human because of Christmas.
Tomorrow it will be Christmas Eve, and somewhere in your celebration I want you to think about being a Christian with the fervor of “Ma’am I am tonight!” That you celebrate not only the coming of Christ, but the affirmation of life wherever you live it. Because of Christ, everything human is holy.
And then I ask that you send us a generous year-end donation if you haven’t yet. There are many who enjoy the Catch but can’t afford to send anything… send something for them. There are others who are seeking and not yet committed… send something for them. And for all who can send a donation of $60 or over, we will send a free download of our first audio-book Dark Horse, which will be available after the first of the year.
And to all, we wish a very Merry Christmas and a blessed time with loved ones.
John Fischer The Catch 
Thank you, John! You’ve succeeded in putting into words the very reason why I love “Walking in Memphis” too. It’s that line “I am tonight”. There’s a delicious ambiguity to it: does he mean “temporarily” or “as of this moment”? Another aspect is that it’s a Christian woman who hears him play and is moved to ask if he’s a Christian, too: the light of Christ is just blasting out through his gifts, and that’s the way it should be for all of us.
jus felt like giving a big Amen to this: “Now I can hear the naysayers arguing that he isn’t talking about really becoming a Christian here, to which I say if he isn’t, I still prefer his Christianity to theirs.”
I too love Walking in Memphis – in my many travels, I was fortunate to actually walk in Memphis and was on Beale – I was by myself and felt so surrounded my love and good will. I went into a few blues clubs, and everyone was so welcoming and so together even though not everyone knew everyone – I was made to feel welcome too and I’ll never forget how I felt such a part of a much greater power than myself.. it was wonderful, this sense of belonging. To the people of Memphis, I have always been grateful. When I hear the song, I am instantly transported to that magical night. Thanks for bringing the memory back to me today. It’s all about love, peace, goodwill, and sharing isn’t it…
Oh, John Fischer, you have such a gift. This was another column in which you knocked it out of
the proverbial park. It captures — as perfectly as I ever have — the heart of the reason that I am a Christian: in God the Son, the pulse of heaven can be felt here on earth. In Christ, we are made
holy because His dance is the dance of omnipotent love. May you and Marti receive blessings beyond what you yearn for.
I didn ‘t get to this until today but I still want to comment even if you do not ever read it. I too love this song and am always looking for pop esp 80’s pop songs that have a Christian vibe. Thank you for giving me another that is already on my ipod but now I can add to my Christian playlist. I also found it interesting that ypu specifially quote “feet ten feet off of Beale” that is one I have tried to decifer for years – it was “feet ten feet off a pier” or a “beer” or just any mumble jumble. but then came lyrics.com – but having never been to Memphis it still didn’t make much sense…thanks for clearing it up.