I just smiled and shook my head when I heard the song Dust In The Wind playing in my front yard a few weeks ago, then explained to the guys who were installing our new house siding that, in 1978, my Upper Sandusky High School classmates chose Dust in the Wind as “our song,” completely ignoring my nomination of Barry Manilow’s obvious song for high school seniors, Daybreak. While they didn’t seem to be Manilow fans, they found the pessimism of Dust in the Wind a bit disturbing.
Throughout these 40 years, I have, tongue in cheek, told of our optimistic outlook on life presented at graduation. I did my part, my soprano part.
Don’t we all look excited to be singing our Class Song?
I can’t argue that the quality and staying power of Dust In The Wind have topped Daybreak, a song I don’t remember hearing since about 1980. And, I have to agree with the basic message of Kerry Livgren’s lyrics.
I close my eyes, only for a moment, and the moment’s gone
All my dreams pass before my eyes, a curiosity
Dust in the wind
All they are is dust in the wind
Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea
All we do crumbles to the ground though we refuse to see
Dust in the wind
All we are is dust in the wind
Oh, ho, ho
Now, don’t hang on, nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky
It slips away
And all your money won’t another minute buy
Dust in the wind
All we are is dust in the wind
All we are is dust in the wind
Dust in the wind
Everything is dust in the wind
Everything is dust in the wind
The writer of Ecclesiastes states, “All come from dust and to dust all return.” Other Bible verses describe human life as mist, stubble, ashes, or chaff. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, says James, and neither money nor worry will add another minute, much less an hour, to our lives.
But to end our years of education and head out into the world with the statement, “Everything is dust in the wind,” really?
There’s more to this story, and it’s hinted at in Manilow’s lyric, “It’s daybreak if you’ll only believe.”
Checking on the history of Kansas’ hit song, I learned that “Kansas guitarist Kerry Livgren wrote this after reading a book of Native American poetry. The line that caught his attention was “For All We Are Is Dust In The Wind.” This got him thinking about the true value of material things and the meaning of success. The band was doing well and making money, but Kerry realized that in the end, he would eventually die just like everyone else. No matter our possessions or accomplishments, we all end up back in the ground.” (songfacts.com)
Livgren kept searching for truth and, according to Wikipedia, became a Christian in 1979, released his first solo album, Seeds of Change in 1980, and went on recording with Kansas until 1983, when he published his autobiography, Seeds of Change: The Spiritual Quest of Kerry Livgren, co-written with Kenneth Boa. 
Just how uncertain tomorrow is became crystal clear on September 1, 2009, when Livgren suffered a massive stroke. I think my fellow classmates would find interest in a 2014 story on GOLDMINE MAGAZINE’S website about his remarkable, though partial, recovery. The article ends with, “One of the things that brings Livgren strength is the knowledge that he helped to build a lasting musical legacy through Kansas. “They [the songs] represent a time and place for me, as they must for our fans. I am glad the band is still going. I wish I could be a bigger part of it,” Livgren said. GM
Dust In The Wind certainly represents a time and place for me. June of 1978 in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. I’m looking forward to spending a little time tomorrow evening with some dear friends and classmates. We will tell old stories, miss those who have died, show off photos of our families, and, hopefully, know that we are much more than dust in the wind.
A commenter on the GOLDMINE MAGAZINE site tells Livgren that he will be singing Dust In The Wind at his 40th class reunion, replacing the words “Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky” with “Nothing lasts forever but the Word of God.”
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Luke 21:33)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?
(words of Jesus recorded in John 11:25-26)