Point of personal privilege.
I am taking a step back a bit from current news and sharing with you the single most powerful (yet simple) song I have ever heard. This song was in the early 90’s. It was when I was just coming out of hanging out with some gangs in Glendale . If I had not heard this song, connected to the depth of the lyrics and held on to every word… I might be in a different place. This one song helped connect me with compassion and the need to work toward a greater good that my parents had taught me indirectly.
I have been doing a lot of self reflection as of late… A LOT… and I wanted to share with you this song, as it still means the world to me. This guy was 16 when he wrote this. This is about an open heart…
if i told you he was your brother
you’d reminisce then you would go about your day
if said you oughta give him some of your water
you’d shake your canteen and walk away
and the perception taht divides you from him, is a lie
for some reason you never asked why
this is not a black white world
you can’t afford to believe in your side
this is not a black and white world
to be alive i say the colors must swirl
and i believe that maybe today
we will all get to appreciate
the beauty of grey
if i told you she was your mother
would you analyze the situation and be gone?
if i said you oughta give her some of your water
your eyes would light up like the dawn
and the perception that divides you from her, is a lie
for some reason we never asked why
this is not a black white world
you can’t afford to believe in your side
this is not a black and white world
to be alive i say the colors must swirl
and i believe that maybe today
we will all get to appreciate
the beauty of grey
the beauty of grey
the beauty of grey
the beauty of grey
look into your eyes
no daylight
new day now
this is not a black and white world
to be alive i say the colors must swirl
and i believe that maybe today
we will appreciate the beauty of grey
this is not a black and white world
to be alive i say the colors must swirl
and i believe that maybe today
we will all get appreciate
yes we will all get to appreciate
the beauty of grey
1 comment so far ↓
Nice lyrics, Kevin. Music is inspirational and many times it can be transformational. I have been moved to respond by many songwriters. One of my favorite songwriters as a child of the 60’s is Dylan. His lyrics provided so much meaning during a turbulent time my life and our country,
Here is one of my favorites.
Only a Pawn in Their Game
A bullet from the back of a bush took Medgar Evers’ blood.
A finger fired the trigger to his name.
A handle hid out in the dark
A hand set the spark
Two eyes took the aim
Behind a man’s brain
But he can’t be blamed
He’s only a pawn in their game.
A South politician preaches to the poor white man,
“You got more than the blacks, don’t complain.
You’re better than them, you been born with white skin,” they explain.
And the Negro’s name
Is used it is plain
For the politician’s gain
As he rises to fame
And the poor white remains
On the caboose of the train
But it ain’t him to blame
He’s only a pawn in their game.
The deputy sheriffs, the soldiers, the governors get paid,
And the marshals and cops get the same,
But the poor white man’s used in the hands of them all like a tool.
He’s taught in his school
From the start by the rule
That the laws are with him
To protect his white skin
To keep up his hate
So he never thinks straight
‘Bout the shape that he’s in
But it ain’t him to blame
He’s only a pawn in their game.
From the poverty shacks, he looks from the cracks to the tracks,
And the hoof beats pound in his brain.
And he’s taught how to walk in a pack
Shoot in the back
With his fist in a clinch
To hang and to lynch
To hide ‘neath the hood
To kill with no pain
Like a dog on a chain
He ain’t got no name
But it ain’t him to blame
He’s only a pawn in their game.
Today, Medgar Evers was buried from the bullet he caught.
They lowered him down as a king.
But when the shadowy sun sets on the one
That fired the gun
He’ll see by his grave
On the stone that remains
Carved next to his name
His epitaph plain:
Only a pawn in their game.
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