A Sweeter Song

Greek mythology tells of a certain group of evil, conniving mermaids-the Sirens. These mermaids, though spectacular in beauty, were devilish and diabolical. Their weapon was the intoxicating song that they sang. Sitting atop their rocks, the Sirens would sing their tempting tune as ships passed. It was a powerful enticement that no hot-blooded man could resist. With their lustful melody, the Sirens could control the wills of men. Their song could woo even the most steely hearted ship captains to turn their vessels toward the Siren's rocky coastline. Their music lured ship after ship into a watery grave.
Enter Ulysses-a ship captain of great renown whose noble mission forces him to pass those terrible Siren shores. But Ulysses is determined that he will not fall victim to their allurement as so many others have done. So as he approaches the deadly Siren coastline, he commands his crew to stuff beeswax in their ears so they won't be overcome by the haunting songs.
Ulysses himself is intrigued to hear the music that has sent so many mighty sailors to their death. But he knows he cannot withstand the temptation. So he commands his crew to tie him to the mast of the ship, and tie him tight. He reasons that he can safely listen to the Sirens' song while bound to the mast since the ropes will render him unable to steer his ship in the wrong direction.
As the intoxicating Siren melody fills the air, Ulysses is overcome with uncontrollable longing to steer his ship toward their dangerous shore. His knees buckle and his mind swoons under the sway of the Siren sounds. He screams for his crew to turn the boat toward the singing, but his crew is already under orders not to heed his voice while he is under the mermaids' spell.
Ulysses curses, writhing in agony, consumed with only one thought-"I must get closer to the music! I must quench this insatiable thirst for more of the Sirens' song!" He furiously seeks to untie the ropes that bind him. But his efforts are useless, and he shakes in misery until finally the mermaid music fades to nothingness and his ship sails beyond its terrifying reach.
When the danger is past, Ulysses is untied. He falls to the deck of the ship, exhausted and humiliated by the entire episode.
And yet, Ulysses is a hero. He did what few had ever done before him-he made it past the temptation. He escaped death upon the rocks.
His crew applauds their strong and noble captain for his amazing feat. He succeeded in escaping danger in spite of the fact that he was miserable the entire time.


Greek legend has it that there was another noble captain who braved the lurid waters of the Sirens. In fact, he wasn't far behind Ulysses. His name was Orpheus. And his approach to the Siren threat was very different than that of Ulysses. He didn't use beeswax, and he didn't use rope. He wasn't afraid of the Sirens. He looked upon the dangerous coastline as an opportunity.
As his ship approached the Siren enticement, his crew let out a shout of joy.
"The Sirens! The Sirens! Captain Orpheus, it is time!"
While Ulysses' crew had been filled with dread as they approached this legendary danger, Orpheus's crew was buoyant with excitement. Some, in fact, had joined Orpheus's crew just for this very occasion.
"Bring me the case!" boomed Orpheus, as the sailors cheered.
A beautifully adorned case was brought to Orpheus. He smiled as he opened it. The crew surrounded him, their eyes filled with eager anticipation. Orpheus slowly removed from the case a lovely musical instrument, studded with jewels and plated with precious metals.
"Play it, Captain!" roared the crew, as their eyes transfixed upon their hero. "Play us your song!"
As the Sirens' sweet melody began to fill the air, Orpheus began to play his own instrument. It was the most perfect music human ears had ever heard. Each crewman became lost in the grandeur and majesty of the song.
All too soon the Siren coastline was out of sight and the master musician concluded the song that he himself had composed. Not a single man aboard ship had been tempted by the Sirens' melody. In fact, no one even noticed it. Though the mermaids' music was alluring and sweet, Orpheus played for his crew ... a sweeter song.




Eric & Leslie Ludy
(Told to me by Larry McCall at Christ's Covenant Church)