The "ungospel" song of U2's "I Still Haven't Found What Im Looking For"

Whereas a gospel song is characterized by lyrics proclaiming love for God, for Jesus Christ, and/or the longing for salvation and The Answer to that -- among life's many questions and trials -- U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" has an indefinite twist.

One of the legendary rock band's most popular hits, and influenced by America's gospel music, the song begins with the singer proclaiming that he has been traveling and searching "only to be with you" (who may be anybody's guess):

"I have climbed highest mountains/ I have run through the fields...I have run/ I have crawled/ I have scaled these city walls/ Only to be with you."

The singer also experienced intimate moments with a lover (or lovers), and with otherwordly entities of the Light and Dark:

"I have kissed honey lips/ Felt the healing in her finger tips...I have spoke with the tongue of angels/ I have held the hand of the devil." And he felt the "warmth of the night" though he remained "cold as a stone."

But, through it all, he still sings, "But I still haven't found what I'm looking for."

Finally, he acknowledges the sacrifices of Christ Jesus, and His promise of the Kingdom Come, for the liberation and salvation of humanity: 

"I believe in the Kingdom Come...You broke the bonds/ And You loosed the chains/ Carried the cross of my shame...You know I believe it."

Nevertheless, through all his journey, through his most intense and profound personal experiences, and even with his profession of faith in Christ, he still laments repeatedly, "But I still haven't found what I'm looking for."

And he remains looking for what may not be found, thirsting for water that he may never drink, searching for a resting place that he may never reach.

"And yes I'm still running."

* * *

I have climbed the highest mountains
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you.

I have run, I have crawled
I have scaled these city walls
These city walls
Only to be with you.

But I still haven't found
What I'm looking for.
But I still haven't found
What I'm looking for.

I have kissed honey lips
Felt the healing in her finger tips
It burned like fire
(I was) burning inside her.

I have spoke with the tongue of angels
I have held the hand of a devil
It was warm in the night
I was cold as a stone.

But I still haven't found
What I'm looking for.
But I still haven't found
What I'm looking for.

I believe in the Kingdom Come
Then all the colours will bleed into one
Bleed into one.
But yes, I'm still running.

You broke the bonds
And you loosed the chains
Carried the cross of my shame
Oh my shame, you know I believe it.

But I still haven't found
What I'm looking for.
But I still haven't found
What I'm looking for.

But I still haven't found
What I'm looking for.
But I still haven't found
What I'm looking for.

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