Songs about Nature/self discovery/relationship with God and religion?

[yaoqian]

Hi all, I was writing an assignment related to these three topics and came to think about whether there are tunes in musical theater with similar themes that I could share with my class. The song doesn't have to include all three topics, one is enough.

I thought of a couple, such as "Stars" from Les Mis, which talks about Javert and Valjean's relationship with nature (stars) and God (A fugitive running / Fallen from God / Fallen from grace), or "For Forever" from Dear Evan Hansen where it talks about nature (this is the more obvious one) and self discovery, where he discovers his worth (being heard when falling in a forest). 

Could you please list some that you can think of off the top of your head? That would help me a lot. Thank you so much!

[poisonivy2]

Well this might not be the kind of song you're looking for but "I Believe" from BoM is specifically about the character's religious beliefs.

[qolbinau]

Some lyrics from the recent musical Groundhog Day comment on people with a relationship with ‘God’:

“Tiny minds, Big Mouths, Small Ideas.”

 

[Patty3]

Prayer in Come From Away for religion. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Not 100% what you're looking for, but "Dust and Ashes" from The Great Comet.

[CT2NYC]

"The Color Purple" for nature/God, and "I'm Here" for self discovery, both from The Color Purple.

[poisonivy2]

I think the title number 'Great Comet of 1812' is perfect for this. Lyrics:

Where to now?

Where can I go now?

Not to the Club

Not to pay calls

Mankind seems so pitiful

So poor

Compared to that softened, grateful, last glance

She gave me through her tears

CHORUS

It was clear and cold

About the dirty streets

Above the black roofs

Stretched the dark starry sky

PIERRE

This vast firmament

Open to my eyes

Wet with tears

CHORUS

And there in the middle

Above Prechistensky Boulevard

Surrounded and sprinkled on all sides by stars

Shines the Great Comet of 1812

The Brilliant Comet of 1812

PIERRE

The comet said to portend

Untold horrors

And the end of the world

But for me

The comet brings no fear

No, I gaze joyfully

And this bright star

Having traced its parabola

With inexpressible speed

Through immeasurable space

Seems suddenly

To have stopped

Like an arrow piercing the earth

Stopped for me

It seems to me

That this comet

Feels me

Feels my softened and uplifted soul

And my newly melted heart

Now blossoming

Into a new life

[frannygreenglass]

"Shine" from The Spitfire Grill is about nature and self discovery.  Check it out.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ymi-U_pmrFQ

[HennySlay]

Spark of Creation from Children of Eden could be one to explore

[yaoqian]

Thank you guys so so much for the help, just from scrolling down I'm loving the title song and dust and ashes from Great Comet!! They fit perfectly with the theme I'm looking for, and I'll be looking up the other ones. Any other songs are still welcome!

[gypsy101]

Much More from the Fantasticks came to mind immediately re: nature and self-discovery 

[Fan123]

These ones touch on nature and self-discovery, some more vaguely than others. If you can count film musicals, Disney has a lot of these songs.

The World Above (The Little Mermaid - stage)
When Will My Life Begin (Reprise 2) (Tangled)
Lock Willow (Daddy Long Legs - cut song)
Just Around the Riverbend (Pocahontas)
Let It Go (Frozen)

How Far I'll Go (Moana)

[Pippin]

take a look at the second act of "See what I wanna see" - called "Gloryday"

it's all about exactly what you are looking for. 

 

Also "Better than I" From the movie "joseph: King of Dreams"

[QueenAlice]

"How Glory Goes" from Floyd Collins

[henrikegerman]

 "Lost in the Stars"  LOST IN THE STARS


 

[reginula]

Is it too bad to say I Believe from The Book of Mormon?

[Jmuep2]

"Tevye's Denial" and "If I Were a Rich Man" from FIDDLER ON THE ROOF spring to mind. 

[JSquared2]

Pretty much EVERY song every written fits into one of those broad categories in one way or another --- just depends on how literal you want to be.

 

[bwayobsessed]

Lost in the Wilderness from Children of Eden fulfills all criteria