My Ramble For Love

Religion is suppose to be about salvation
bringing us close to the supreme being and another
history's account suggest another side
so while I am not going to condemn any denomination
it doesn't seem to stem the tide
from slavery to even propping up dictators
a church has had it's hands in those affairs
indifferent to the people still suffering
filled with it's own coffers and cares

Politics in the same manner has been reduced to the lowest level
status quo anchored against effective change
more about power, position and campaign fund raising
right or left, conservative or democratic all that mush
either way fat cats that are happy with public grazing
as my favorite statesman once said
"once elected at least forty percent of the people
are against you" and maybe rather have you dead

Sports in some realms may have an effect but not when currently framed
emphasis on the victory, the pride and glory
but there is another side of the story
students turned in pack animals
to rake in ticket sales education isn't the focus
really a grand show of hocus pocus
love the athlete as long is he/she can play super on the field
but when that is through no foundation on which to build
performance enhancing substances have dramatic effects
and oh boy those spectators are more scary than even Big Brother's hand
fighting each other even derogatory snipes at the bands
just look at soccer, hockey, football and most other big events
hardly the avenues of peace through which understanding is a vent

But I have found one avenue that seems pure and true
the sharing of music, and art that needs to be given it's due
as far as mass gatherings up the there with any other attempt
couldn't be denied even when nay sayers tried to circumvent
think about Monterey Jazz Festival and how it showcased
talents previously not well known
Otis Redding, "Mr.Soul" does come to mind
left the days of segregated concerts far behind
Isle of Wight and Woodstock did it again
showed the world people could assemble in mass and not have to fight
if that energy was ever channeled in a wave it would feel so right
Altamont was an exception with the Stones in town
death at the hands of the Hells Angels not a pretty sound
but then a former Beatle, George Harrison turned by the course
Concerts for Bangladesh what a powerful course
even if all money didn't go where it should
it raise an awareness like nothing else could
almost reunited the Beatles where Saturday Night Live would fail
so a few concert goes had a bit of the tipsy with some of that ale
McCartney made a stab of it with Kampuchea Concerts 1979
a spirit of concern when others would seem so blind
Artist Against Apartheid really did restore my faith
at a time when Reagan's policies of "Constructive Engagement" was such a joke
how could I forget Live Aid and USA for Africa later on
suggested that there could be a brighter dawn

I don't need to be African to love the sounds of Youssou N' Dour or Cesaria Evoria
or European to love Mozart, Hayden, Chopin or Bach
not like you can tie up their music and seal a permanent lock
I have seen little kids who don't speak English hum "Yellow Submarine"
or the sounds of Lennon's "Imagine" like MLK's dream
a stiff redneck brought up amongst the KK
smile and bounce to Miles Davis and Santana and then say
well perhaps hating "those others" ain't the only way
Enya has put many a baby to sleep world wide
and everyone who hears Barry White wants a lover by their side
and I barely touched the surface of such a powerful force
just put on the music and let it's rhythm takes it's course
sure there are some who can turn the energy to a negative scheme
on the whole creative artists nurture the dreams
for even while pointing to how real are societies woes
around the corner is always another way to go
so I stand by the idea that music can heal
and will be a main staple of any more just, fair and peaceful deal!

"I need love, love's divine
Please forgive me now I see that I've been blind
Give me love, love is what I need to help me know my name"


Lyrics Courtesy of Seal