Nooooo, the fadeout at the end of Crossing Over/Mercy Street Reprise is absolutely perfect. The way it explodes back into that main melody shortly after it begins slowly fading out is absolutely incredible and gives you the feeling that it will go on forever, even though the journey for us, the listeners, is over. That is how I interpret it.
However, what you said about his spiritual lyrics is mostly true. He has always written spiritual lyrics, and the only overtly religious ones are on his solo albums and a couple of songs on The Whirlwind (one of which is a bonus track).
True. Anything mentioning Jesus or God, but even with God, it can be interpreted many ways, like, it could be HIS God, or my God, or anyone's God, or even god without a capital "G". It's just a deity to some, or a deeply connected religious figure for others. And the way I see his telling of stories about religion is no different than the lyrics of Jon Anderson with Yes - it's a story, based on history, told with religious words. Now, albums like
One or his
Testimony albums are more personal and less narrative in the story-telling sense, but they're more inspirational and uplifting, so I don't feel bogged down by the overtly spiritual and religious lyrics. I'm not much of a believer myself, but I'll be damned if I don't feel good after listening to "King Jesus"!
Neal's lyrics have always been that way for me, and it's part of the reason I enjoy him and his music so much. He's inspirational, through his music and his lyrics, and I think if he knew how happy and uplifting his music could make me, or anyone feel, then his job would be done well. He's even gone on the record at concerts saying how he doesn't mean to impose or offend anyone with his words or lyrics or messages in music, but that he hopes that he can make people FEEL something good, something hopeful and something positive. I've been out of religion for 15 years now, but Neal has made me feel more hopeful and positive with his music than ever before, so I do no mind or care that his lyrics are the way they are. Let it be, and if it's good, it'll affect me. If it isn't, I'm still sure to find something good about it.
-Marc.