Song of the Week #5: Negative Vibes - Damien Dempsey

Given that I've missed a week, last week's song was going to be Damien Dempsey's 'Negative Vibes' - I heard it via his performance at one of The Swell Season's concerts, when he sang it toward the end of Star Star. There was something about the tone of the song which resonates with me.

--
Lord, Won't you give me the strength to be strong, and be true
Cos, Lord, when the devil gets into my head, I'm so blue

You knock me, if you're so mighty, why waste your time with me
If I'm bad, ignorant and sad
Why waste your time, you're mad
You're just mad, because your life is sad
You've done nothing worth while
Twist the knife
Because you hate your life
My life you want to spoil

I'm never going to let
Your negative vibes and comments
Get through to my psyche and cripple me
I'm never going to let
Your negative vibes and comments
Get through to my psyche and cripple me
I never will forget
The suffering that my people went through
In my country and overseas

Were no use, verbal abuse
That's all you have to give
You preach nil, you're so cynical
Jesus, wake up and live
Your bad vibe will drive away your tribe
And where will you be then
All alone
Heart as cold as stone
Hurting yourself again

Weekend song Lyrics #4: Equilly Skilled

Jon Foreman's Four Season's EPs have been on heavy rotation for most of the year. The song I've picked for this week is on the Fall EP. The style of music is kind of an acoustic, folk rock. The song is a great take on our man's nature.  (I've changed the title to weekend song, as I'm not doing the best at posting every Saturday - I'm going to post no. 5 shortly).

How miserable I am
I feel like a fruitpicker who arrived here
after the harvest
There's nothing here at all
There's nothin at all here that could placate my hunger

The godly people are all gone
There's not one honest soul left alive here on this planet
We're all murders and theives
Setting traps here for even our brothers

And both of our hands
Are equally skilled
At doing evil
Equally skilled
At bribing the judges
Equally skilled
At perverting justice
Both of our hands
Both of our hands

The day of justice comes
And is even now swiftly arriving
Don't trust anyone at all
Not your best friend or even your wife

For the son hates the father
The daughter despises even the mother
Look! Your enemies are right
Right in the room of your very household

And both of their hands are equally skilled
Equally skilled

No, don't gloat over me
For though I fall, though I fall
I will rise again

Though I sit here in darkness
The Lord, the Lord alone
He will be my light

I will be patient as the Lord
Punishes me for the wrongs
I've done against him

After that he'll take my case
Bringing me to light and to justice
For all I have suffered

And both of his hand are equally skilled
At ruining evil
Equally skilled
At judging the judges
Equally skilled
Administring justice
Both of his hands
Both of his hands are equally skilled
At showing them mercy
Equally skilled
At loving the loveless
Equally skilled
Administring justice
Both of his hands
Both of his hands

Pause

Been a busy few weeks ... especially given that Fi and I are going to head away for a holiday this week, and we're heading to Canberra for As wedding.  It will be so great to have some time away to unwind, and to recharge. I have not been to Japan before so it will be great to be able to see a different corner of the world, together.

Friday afternoon, I went and heard one of Australia's former Foreign Ministers (now Director of the International Crisis Group), Gareth Evans speak as part the Sydney Ideas series (run by University of Sydney. He spoke about the Responsibility to Protect; which is a doctrine about the responsibility of the global community to act to protect citizens of countries under specific conditions (More info here).

One of the points I found interesting is how the language changed from "the right to intervene" to the "responsibility to protect". Whether the global communities have the will to act to prevent another Rwanda at some point (even as, in Darfur, and in Congo we see similar mass killings carried out) remains to be seen.

Been doing a little bit of reading over the weekend. I loved this piece from the New York Times, about the 'If Only' moment we all have when we just miss (or catch) a bus. In a theory of time that I have, I'm fairly convinced, that even if we slightly changed one event; we would not change the end-point; that is, if Lee Harvey-Oswald was not in the picture, JFK would still have been assassinated.

Also, given that its just over a week to go before the US Election I thought I'd post a couple of things, the first being a quote from a speech that Obama gave in Virginia which in some ways explains why I like him, how he speaks to how we can change the world in which we live - not to a perfect world, but simply too a better one.

At a defining moment like this, we don't have the luxury of relying on the same political games and the same political tactics that are used every election to divide us from one another and make us afraid of one another. With the challenges and crises we face right now, we cannot afford to divide this country by class or region; by who we are or what policies we support.

There are no real or fake parts of this country. We are not separated by the pro-America and anti-America parts of this nation - we all love this country, no matter where we live or where we come from. There are patriots who supported this war in Iraq and patriots who opposed it; patriots who believe in Democratic policies and those who believe in Republican policies. The men and women from Virginia and all across America who serve on our battlefields may be Democrats and Republicans and Independents, but they have fought together and bled together and some died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a Red America or a Blue America - they have served the United States of America.


We have always been at our best when we've had leadership that called us to look past our differences and come together as one nation, as one people; leadership that rallied this entire country to a common purpose - to a higher purpose. And I am running for President of the United States of America because that is the country we need to be right now.


This country and the dream it represents are being tested in a way that we haven't seen in nearly a century. And future generations will judge ours by how we respond to this test. Will they say that this was a time when America lost its way and its purpose? When we allowed the same divisions and fear tactics and our own petty differences to plunge this country into a dark and painful recession?


Or will they say that this was another one of those moments when America overcame? When we battled back from adversity by recognizing that common stake that we have in each other's success?


This is one of those moments. I realize you're cynical and fed up with politics. I understand that you're disappointed and even angry with your leaders. You have every right to be. But despite all of this, I ask of you what's been asked of the American people in times of trial and turmoil throughout our history. I ask you to believe - to believe in yourselves, in each other, and in the future we can build together.


Together, we cannot fail. Not now. Not when we have a crisis to solve and an economy to save. Not when there are so many Americans without jobs and without homes. Not when there are families who can't afford to see a doctor, or send their child to college, or pay their bills at the end of the month. Not when there is a generation that is counting on us to give them the same opportunities and the same chances that we had for ourselves. 


We can do this. Americans have done this before. Some of us had grandparents or parents who said maybe I can't go to college but my child can; maybe I can't have my own business but my child can. I may have to rent, but maybe my children will have a home they can call their own. I may not have a lot of money but maybe my child will run for Senate. I might live in a small village but maybe someday my son can be president of the United States of America.

 +++

Another piece from Focus on the Family, outlining how the US would change under an Obama presidency caught me eye, the piece was written as a letter from a Christian four years from now, about how attitudes to religion have changed society. (The letter is available here)

And the token U2 reference: here's a speech given by Bono at a  Women's Conference recently.

~~~~

Quote

I rediscovered this quote while looking through my emails at work, the full article is here (at Modern Reformation). There's something we do to our Christian artists who go mainstream and the views we take to interacting with our culture.

And when our bright, energetic, talented thinkers, artists and workersgo out into the world to fulfill their calling as a calling, they areoften gunned down by the brethren for selling out to the world. Fundamentalists have always been hostile to the outside world, but nowthey are highly politicized. Their anti-worldly stance which was oncekept within the four walls of the church building is now seen in massrallies in public places. U.S. Senate chaplain Richard Halverson, an evangelical himself, recently said, "All evangelicals care about is their own agenda. They will keep all the phone lines in Washington busy and many of the callers are downright nasty, yet when it comes to hundreds of other issues Congress faces, they never hear from Evangelicals." The only time we get involved in education is to protest public education. The only time, it seems, we get involved in the arts is to protest the public funding of obscene art. While pro-life leaders often confuse the issue of abortion with getting little red riding hood taken out of the public libraries. Before, we were hostile to the world but we were separated from it. Now we are still hostile, but very much involved. That's why our involvement is so harsh, so strident, and often so very negative. Until we see our role in this world in a positive light we will continue to come off as those who can only judge instead of contribute. We engage in discussions of politics as a disgruntled minority demanding its rights, its piece of the pie, while very often we know little and care less about the deeper philosophical and cultural issues of our time.

 ---

On the footy

A couple of pieces about the league and Australian Rules finals.

:: A message to those, who like me, supported Manly in the Grand Final.

:: Why it was good that Geelong lost. And rule changes as a result of too many Rushed behinds.

~~~~

Good on the Socceroos two from two - and a good start on their road to South Africa. And Adelaide have one foot in the door of the Asian Champions League Final.

NSW Politics..

There's a clear message in the results of the by elections (even though the Labor Party will retain two of these). Currently the swings to the Liberal Party are, on the primary vote are:

:: 25.1% (in Ryde)
:: 21.0% (in Cabramatta)
:: 10.1% (in Lakemba)

Will be interesting to see what happens next.

The US Election

Here's another couple of pieces from earlier in the week about the US Election:

:: One about politics and the pulpit, and the role of pastors during election campaigns.

:: I found this piece about politics and teachers to be fascinating.

:: Moral Questions to ask the candidates.

Spring break...

I'm down in Canberra for the weekend, and spending a night keeping in touch with the NSW by-elections (yes, I am a dag).

Have had quite a lazy afternoon reading the papers, and a few articles really caught my eye: the first God, address unknown, escapes on technicality. Apparently, an injunction against God, to stop causing "widespread death, destruction and terrorisation of millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants". failed, because God did not have an address. I have to admit that I found this to be quite amusing.  

Secondly, I really enjoyed the excerpt posted of Chris Abani's address 'When we cannot look away' given last month at the Brisbane Writers Festival. The quote below really hit me, as I think about what writers are seeking to do 

This is what the art I make requires of me, that in order to have an honest conversation with a reader, I must reveal myself in all my vulnerability. Reveal myself, not in the sense of my autobiography, but in the sense of the deeper self, the one we keep too often hidden even from ourselves.

 ~~~~

Weekend Song #4: People Have The Power [Patti Smith]

Didn't quite get to the song over the weekend, but this weekend's song was going to be Patti Smith's People Have the Power (given the US Election is just under four weeks away). Patti Smith played before U2 on the last leg of their Vertigo Tour, and Bono sang these words over the end of Bad a few of their gigs and it I really love the song..  (YouTube have a video of a performance here)

I was dreaming in my dreaming

of an aspect bright and fair

and my sleeping it was broken

but my dream it lingered near

in the form of shining valleys

where the pure air recognized

and my senses newly opened

I awakened to the cry

that the people / have the power

to redeem / the work of fools

upon the meek / the graces shower

it's decreed / the people rule

The people have the power

The people have the power

The people have the power

The people have the power

Vengeful aspects became suspect

and bending low as if to hear

and the armies ceased advancing

because the people had their ear

and the shepherds and the soldiers

lay beneath the stars

exchanging visions

and laying arms

to waste / in the dust

in the form of / shining valleys

where the pure air / recognized

and my senses / newly opened

I awakened / to the cry

Refrain

Where there were deserts

I saw fountains

like cream the waters rise

and we strolled there together

with none to laugh or criticize

and the leopard

and the lamb

lay together truly bound

I was hoping in my hoping

to recall what I had found

I was dreaming in my dreaming

god knows / a purer view

as I surrender to my sleeping

I commit my dream to you

Refrain

The power to dream / to rule

to wrestle the world from fools

it's decreed the people rule

it's decreed the people rule

LISTEN

I believe everything we dream

can come to pass through our union

we can turn the world around

we can turn the earth's revolution

we have the power

People have the power ...

Collection

So, am in Wollongong for the long weekend, and I have been training to tidy up my blog a little (adding titles and tags), its been fun re-reading some of my posts. I might take some time soon to re-post some of my favourite posts.

But today, I wanted to say, after loading the new i-tunes software, and activating the 'Genius' component, I'm not so taken with their Genius. Their genius does not recognise a lot of the music which I quite like ... The Swell Season, Andy Osenga, Colm Mac Con Iomaire to name a few.

And, here's the top 50 Animated films via Rotten Tomatoes.

The Australian's 20th Anniversary: Sport

The Australian's magazine is having its 20th Anniversary, and this weekend they had there 20 magical moments of Australian sport (I think since 1988, because Australia II was not listed). I'm going to leave off number one, and let the readers guess, no peeking ;-)

2. Hawthorn v Geelong VFL Grand final (1989)
3. Shane Warne's "Ball of the Century" to Mike Gatting (1993)
4. Greg Norman, Final Round British Open, (1993)
5. Kieran Perkins, 1500m Final, Altanta Olympics (1996)
6. Newcastle v Manly,  NRL Grand-final (1997)
7. Australia v South Africa, World Cup, Semi-final (1999)
8. John Eales, Bledisloe Cup, Penalty kick (2000).
9. Tony Lockett's 1300th goal (1999)
10. Men's 4x100 Freestyle Final, (2000)
11. Steve Waugh's (final ball) Century at the SCG, Ashes, (2003)
12. Sydney v West Coast, AFL Grand final (2005)
13. Stephen Bradbury, 1000m Speed Skating Gold, Salt Lake City (2002)
14. Lleyton Hewitt, Wimbeldon (2002)
15. Makybe Diva, Melbourne Cup (2005)
16. Australia v Uruguay, World Cup Qualifier (2005)
17. Matthew Hayden's 380 v Zimbabwe (2003)
18. Casey Stoner MotoGP (2007)
19. Adam Gilchrist's 57 ball 100, Ashes (20006-07)
20. Stephen Hooker wins Pole-vault, Beijing (2008)

It's an interesting list, I would definitely add Matthew Mithcam winning the gold in the diving at Beijing earlier this year with the highest scoring dive. In terms of global events, its Manchester United's treble in 1997-98 especially their Champions League Great Escape; maybe Michael Phelps (2008), the Red-Sox win (2005 or 2006), Arsenal's undefeated season in 2003-2004.

So..  what did I leave off??

+++

Also from the 20th Anniversary Issues - the top 20 Australian Songs from the last 20 years.

Political Pastors?

As regular readers would know I've been following the US Election, and I found it quite intriguing the read a  number of American Evanlegical pastors are preaching sermons on the election, and some actively endorsing candidates because they are "not sure their congregations could join the dots".  Interestingly religious leaders are technically unable to endorse candidates as they are tax-exempt organisations.

My concern is that  if the role of the church (perhaps like any interest group) is to stand apart from government, to speak truth to power, doesn't siding with one compromise the ability to do this? I also wonder, given there may be legitimate reasons for supporting different candiates, might endorsing one over the other, make it harder for some people to hear the other points they make. (Note: I'm sure that there are times when we do need to stand up, and exercise caution about voting for a particular candidate).  Even with an issues focus, endorsing one of the other from the pulpit, suggests that there is one biblical approach to issues, which I just don't think is always true or that simple. What I find more positive, is to let the candidates speak to the issues, in a forum perhaps and that gives voters tools to enable them to decide how to vote.

One of the things that I will be interested in seeing after the election  is the breakdown on evangelical vote in the exit-polls.

Saturday Song # 3: The Frames (The Swell Season) - Star Star

Its quite funny, I've been planning to post this for a while now, as it had been sitting on my mind, and I'd transcribed most of the intro too ;-) , and just before I headed off to my lunch break on Thursday, I saw the post on Something this foggy day - which picked up most of my thoughts. I thought that the two options he poses summarises a number of positions quite nicely; in the sense we are part of the great environmental cycle - or there is a reason outside of, and larger than ourselves.

Courtesy of Something this Foggy Day here's the way Hansard introduced the song, at one gig (at St Louis, last year, which you can buy, along with many others from "Played Last Night").

"This song is like a little consoling lullaby to yourself. It's written in that lovely state of mind where you're (pause), you're drunk - but, you know, it's neither good nor bad, it's just (does something that makes people laugh) ... This song was written in the middle of a field in the middle of the night in the middle of Ireland looking up - I'd like to say looking up at the stars but looking up at a cloudy grey black sky and knowing that the stars are somewhere beyond it and pretending that it's a lovely starry night in the middle of summer, even though you'll probably have pneumonia in the morning. And it's a song about looking up and asking the big questions to the man above or to the stars above or to whatever ... just that beautiful metaphor that there's the sky and the answers are up there somewhere - because otherwise being a human is boring. There are two ways to look at, I think, everything. We're either a fungus on this earth that's eating it up and chewing it up and we're all going to die, or we're here to sow poetry into the ground and to do as much good was we possibly can. (Everyone cheers!) Some of us live the other way and some of us live that way. It's really up to yourself I guess."

Star star, teach me how to shine shine
Teach me so I know what's going on in your mind
'Cause I don't understand these people
Who say the hill's too steep
Well they talk and talk forever
But they just never climb

Falling down into situations
Bringing out the best in you
You're flat on your back again
And star, you're ever word I'm heeding
Can you help me to see?
I'm lost in the marsh.

Star star, teach me how to shine.. shine
Teach me so I know what's going on in your mind
'Cause I don't understand these people
Who say we're all asleep
They'll toss and turn forever
But no rest will they find...

(I love the line which he often insert into the song: "There is no life, I know, to compare, to pure imagination")

 +++

And on Glen Hansard - there's something so familiar about him, he speaks like he's having a conversation with you  - in another recording he talks about how as musicians you are kicking and screaming to get someone (anyone) to pay attention and then, all of a sudden - the world turns around and says "What?!", and secondly I love this story here).

Finally - the Frames' Sydney concert (Aug 14 last year) is available to watch online - Yay!

On Failure and a comic's approach to death

I caught this commencement address, given by JK Rowling - the CASE email. Rowling spoke about failure and its benefits, and a lot of this rings true for me, in fact, behind most successes are many failed attempts

I quite like the below excerpt:

However, the fact that you are graduating from Harvard suggests that you are not very well-acquainted with failure. You might be driven by a fear of failure quite as much as a desire for success. Indeed, your conception of failure might not be too far from the average person's idea of success, so high have you already flown academically. [...]  Now, I am not going to stand here and tell you that failure is fun. That period of my life was a dark one, and I had no idea that there was going to be what the press has since represented as a kind of fairy tale resolution. I had no idea how far the tunnel extended, and for a long time, any light at the end of it was a hope rather than a reality. [...]  So why do I talk about the benefits of failure? Simply because failure meant a stripping away of the inessential. I stopped pretending to myself that I was anything other than what I was, and began to direct all my energy into finishing the only work that mattered to me. Had I really succeeded at anything else, I might never have found the determination to succeed in the one arena I believed I truly belonged. I was set free, because my greatest fear had already been realised, and I was still alive, and I still had a daughter whom I adored, and I had an old typewriter and a big idea. And so rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.

When a humorist receives a dire prognosis, there's nothing left to do but make God laugh  [PJ O'Rourke via Search]