The Leftovers is an enthralling HBO TV series, centering on the premise that, on October 14, 2011, 2% of the world’s population suddenly, inexplicably and simultaneously disappeared. The series, based on Tom Perrotta's novel and created by Perrotta and Damon Lindelof, focuses on the effects the so-called “Sudden Departure” had on people, families, and society at large. Seasons 1 and 2 are available for purchase on Google Play, Amazon, and iTunes, so if you’re looking for something to binge on this weekend, there you go.
During Season 1, each episode set the scene magnificently with a chilling, eerie instrumental number played over the opening credits. Season 2 managed to top that by going in a different direction. The opening theme is Iris DeMent’s haunting Let the Mystery Be, sung by DeMent herself (written by DeMent in 1992, the song has been covered by many artists).
Not only is Let the Mystery Be, in DeMent’s unique voice, an almost absurdly appropriate way to begin each episode of The Leftovers, it also perfectly summarizes my own thoughts on religion and superstition (really one and the same, but that’s a whole other subject). Here are DeMent’s gorgeous full lyrics (I humbly suggest you have the lovely DeMent sing them to you while you read them):
Everybody's wonderin' what and where they they all came from
Everybody's worryin' 'bout where they're gonna go
When the whole thing's done
But no one knows for certain
And so it's all the same to me
I think I'll just let the mystery be
Some say once you're gone you're gone forever
And some say you're gonna come back
Some say you rest in the arms of the Saviour
If in sinful ways you lack
Some say that they're comin' back in a garden
Bunch of carrots and little sweet peas
I think I'll just let the mystery be
Everybody's wonderin' what and where they they all came from
Everybody's worryin' 'bout where they're gonna go
When the whole thing's done
But no one knows for certain
And so it's all the same to me
I think I'll just let the mystery be
Some say they're goin' to a place called Glory
And I ain't saying it ain't a fact
But I've heard that I'm on the road to purgatory
And I don't like the sound of that
I believe in love and I live my life accordingly
But I choose to let the mystery be
Everybody is wondering what and where they they all came from
Everybody is worryin' 'bout where they're gonna go
When the whole thing's done
But no one knows for certain
And so it's all the same to me
I think I'll just let the mystery be
I think I'll just let the mystery be
Let the Mystery Be was used in the opening scenes of Bernardo Bertolucci's 1992 film, Little Buddha. It was used over the opening credits in Season 2 of The Leftovers. And now, my precious irreligiousness has its own theme song.
I think I’ll just let the mystery be.
