Some people might remember Debby Boone, daughter of the famous Pat Boone, who had a hit years ago “You Light Up My Life”. I think because it was Debby, a professed Christian, she sang this love song as a spiritual and it fit perfectly. Many of Amy Grant’s songs were the same. You would have to know Amy’s intent to know that they were spiritual songs.
The other day I was feeling so good, I don’t think my feet were touching the ground. As I walked about my rural neighborhood, I found myself singing the song “I Feel Pretty” from the play “West Side Story”. It is a beautifully happy song sung by the lead female character, Maria. It was about the feeling of knowing you are loved. That is how I felt as I sang it the other day. The last line of the song is “…for I am loved by a pretty wonderful boy”. The word “boy” is the only word that needs changing to become a theological block-buster.
I feel pretty,
Oh, so pretty,
I feel pretty and witty and bright!
And I pity
Any girl who isn’t me tonight.
I feel charming,
Oh, so charming
It’s alarming how charming I feel!
And so pretty
That I hardly can believe I’m real.
See the pretty girl in that mirror there:
Who can that attractive girl be?
Such a pretty face,
Such a pretty dress,
Such a pretty smile,
Such a pretty me!
I feel stunning
And entrancing,
Feel like running and dancing for joy,
For I’m loved
By a pretty wonderful boy!