Cardiac Arrest

Despite the rather grisly title, this song is basically a modern retelling of Jesus’ Parable of the Rich Fool from Luke 12: 16-21.

“The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”

Having being written soon after my graduation from the Humber College music program, the song is of course filled with jazzy altered chords. Also having being written in the 1970’s and at a young age, it is probably a bit insensitive towards those who like myself have cardiac issues. Be that as it may, I hope that you will appreciate this step in my musical journey.

The song was recorded by the Christian rock group, Whitestone at the Master’s Workshop studio in Toronto. The members of Whitestone were: Marc Cooper (lead guitar), Jim Dell (vocals, guitar), John Dell (drums), David Kai (keyboards), Tony Melles (vocals), Nancy Mohr (vocals), Detlef Sertl (bass).

Click here to watch the video on Youtube.

Click here to see or download the lyrics.

Click here to see of download a lyrics and chords version.

Click here to download a ChordPro version.

Click here to listen to the song on Apple Music.

Click here to listen to the song on Spotify.

Cardiac Arrest words and music by David Kai ©1980

Well now you’ve finally made it, you’re at the top of the heap, Rubbing shoulders with the richest, the economic elite

Your money’s well-hidden in a bank overseas, Wine, women and song in any order you please

You can’t take it with you, that’s an old saying that’s true, So don’t dwell on possessions, they’ll be the death of you

You either serve Mammon or the Lord up on high. Don’t fall for the charms of things that money can buy

For who will gain from it all, your finely feathered nest? When you wake with a fright to voice in the night that says

“You’re under cardiac arrest”

If you’ve looked deep down inside you, well then you’ve probably found,

That you love things and use people, you’ve switched the order around

You hoard everything that can be sold or bought, But treasure in heaven’s one thing you haven’t got

You’ve learned to make a living, but have you learned how to live? For true eternal riches are gifts that only God gives

You can’t buy salvation, money won’t help a bit, The eye of a needle’s much too tight of a fit

For who will gain from it all, your finely feathered nest? When you wake with a fright to voice in the night that says

“You’re under cardiac arrest”