The Music Student Who Wrote Their Thesis: “Van Morrison’S Use Of Spiritual Ambiguity In 20Th-Century Folk”

April 2, 2025

Emma sat cross-legged on her bedroom floor, surrounded by papers and books, the remnants of an intense, caffeine-fueled night. It was the week of her thesis presentation, and in every corner of her mind echoed the words of the legendary artist she had chosen to study: Van Morrison. Her topic, “Van Morrison’s Use of Spiritual Ambiguity in 20th-Century Folk,” had come to life in the most unexpected ways. As she retraced his musical journey, she found herself inspired not just by his lyrics, but by his unyielding spirit.

Van Morrison, often dubbed the “Bard of Belfast,” had carved a unique path through the world of music. With songs that drifted between the realms of love, loss, and spirituality, he had a way of capturing emotions that resonated with people from all walks of life. Emma had discovered that Morrison’s music was filled with ambiguous themes—often exploring the blurry lines between the sacred and the secular. She remembered listening to “Into the Mystic” for the first time, feeling both uplifted and contemplative. It was in that moment she knew she wanted to share Morrison’s genius with the world, to show how his struggles mirrored her own.

Yet, Emma’s journey was not just about music; it resonated deeply with her personal life. As a first-generation college student, she often felt the weight of expectations on her shoulders. Her parents had sacrificed so much to give her this opportunity, and the fear of letting them down loomed like a dark cloud. When she learned about Morrison’s battles with self-doubt and his refusal to conform to the mainstream music industry, Emma felt a wave of relief wash over her. If someone as talented as Morrison could face obstacles and still rise to great heights, perhaps she could too.

The day of her presentation arrived, and Emma’s heart raced as she stood in front of her classmates and professors. The room was quiet, filled with eager faces, and she took a deep breath to steady her nerves. As she spoke about Morrison’s lyrical genius and the spiritual questions embedded within his folk songs, she saw nods of understanding from her audience. Emma shared stories of how Morrison’s music had touched lives, including her own. She emphasized the idea that spirituality didn’t have to be confined to strict definitions; it could be found in a simple melody or a heartfelt lyric, connecting us all.

Feeling exhilarated by the response, she concluded with a quote from Morrison himself: “I just want to make music that touches the heart.” The applause that followed was not just for her thesis, but for the journey they had all shared in discovering the power of music. Emma realized that her work had the potential to inspire others to seek their own passions, and to embrace the beauty of life’s uncertainties.

After her presentation, she felt a sense of triumph and connection—a victory that transcended academic achievement. Emma had not only explored a musician’s legacy but had discovered her own voice in the process. With each note she played on her guitar that night, she felt a spark of hope, knowing she was beginning her own journey in the world of music, just like Van Morrison had done years before. As she strummed the strings and sang softly into the night, she found herself believing that like Morrison, she too could use her passion to create something beautiful, something that could change the world, one song at a time.