Sharp Notes Monday: ‘A Child Is Coming’

By Jandoli Institute on December 23, 2024 • ( 0 )

By Richard Lee

Paul Kantner, Grace Slick and David Crosby did not write “A Child is Coming” about the birth of Christ.

The meaning of the track, which appeared on Jefferson Starship’s 1970 concept album Blows Against the Empire, is somewhat of a mystery.

Some speculated the song was about the upcoming birth of Kantner and Slick’s child, a baby girl named China who was born a few months after the album’s release:

She said I got a surprise for you
A child is coming

Others have found a more political and social message in the lyrics (apparently written without knowing the baby would be a girl):

What are we gonna do when Uncle Samuel comes around
Askin’ for the young one’s name
And lookin’ for the print of his hand for the files in their numbers game
I don’t want his chances for freedom to ever be that slim
Let’s not tell ’em about him

Mystery is one of the great qualities of song. Songs take on different meanings, meanings that are personal for each listener.

“A Child is Coming” was not written about the nativity, but if Die Hard can be a Christmas movie, then this Kantner/Slick/Crosby composition can be our holiday week Sharp Notes Monday selection.

Merry Christmas!

Richard Lee, executive director of the Jandoli Institute, is a former music journalist who often writes about the intersection of music and current events.

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As part of our “Sharp Notes, Sharp Thoughts” music and social media project, we share a song every Monday to start your week.

View previous Sharp Notes Monday selections.

Visit our “Sharp Notes, Sharp Thoughts” music and social justice page to learn more about the project and view videos of our presentations.