Paul Simon: "The Obvious Child" - An Interpretation

I've always felt like a generational defector whenever declaring aloud my affinity for Paul Simon. Call me a babyboomer wannabe if ya wanna, but the guy is an incredible talent and the clip on this post captures one of my favorite Simon performances: "Obvious Child" at the 1991 Central Park Concert. What I find compelling about this song is not only Simon's decision to employ enough percussion to cause cracks to form in every home's foundation throughout the entire western hemisphere, but also his incredibly unique lyrical stylings. Those two elements channel through Simon's diminuitive figure, which inexplicably casts a larger than life stage presence. And as is always the case with Simon - his nearly perfect voice registers in his unique, affable brand of casualness; a style that lends much to his appeal. During my first few exposures to this track, I thought Simon was saying "The cross is in the ballpark" as a cynical commentary on America's frivolous preoccupation with sports - or mass-distraction in general. The line called to my mind his old lyric from "Mrs. Robinson," "Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio? Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you." A Re-visitation on this sentiment is what I was initially hearing in Obvious Child, perhaps sports is the American religion... but then I kept listening. I theorize Simon isn't saying anything about "the cross being in the ballpark" in any respect to an actual physical ballpark, but rather he's saying "the cross is in the ballpark" in the sense that "the cross" (as a symbol of christianity) is close to the truth. To my ears, it's a less than overt endorsement of christianity. Consider the other lyrics involved "some people say a lie is just a lie, but I say why deny the obvious child?" The preceeding words force the question: Who is the Obvious Child? I would suggest it's Christ. Now, to anyone reading this, know that I'm not religious, so I have no dog in this fight. I'm merely providing my interpretation of a message that I think Simon delivers with his trademark brilliance for phrasing - delivered here in a preternaturally clever manner. Occuring alongside the seemingly pro-Christ lyrical content is a meditation on loss, the shackles of responsibility, and the desperate, losing battle we all wage against time's relentless dismantling of youth's devinely bestowed privileges.