With God On Our Side by Bob Dylan

Last month, I posted a song called “Laughing With” by Regina Spektor. The lyrics caught my attention, and it actually reminded me of another song this time from Bob Dylan called “With God On Our Side”. This song was written around the 1960s so its kinda very old now but still timeless, and that’s the beauty of Dylan songs. Songs like “Times They are A-Changin”, "Blowin' In The Wind" "Mr. Tambourine Man" among many others are very relevant. Bob is no doubt a legend in the music industry and has influenced alot of musicians. He was also on the list of Time Magazine's Most Influential Person of the Century.

I first heard the name Bob Dylan from a Counting Crow’s song “Mr. Jones”, and this was way back in highschool, more than ten years ago. I got to know Dylan from my brothers, no surprise there. But I can’t really call myself a hardcore Dylan fan, I only know little of his music but I do know he is influential to other musicians and considered a (living) legend in the music industry. And his music is deep for my taste - political, philosophical, social, and its like reading a poetry - deep! If you read some poetry, then you know what I mean.

So, this song had got me thinking before (and now)... maybe Regina had this song in mind too. She specifically named Dylan as one of her primary influences, so who knows? But both are beautiful and I like songs that are not just about love but songs that make you think and be aware...

Anyway, here is the song I am referring:

"With God On Our Side"

Oh my name it is nothin'
My age it means less
The country I come from
Is called the Midwest
I's taught and brought up there
The laws to abide
And that land that I live in
Has God on its side

Oh the history books tell it
They tell it so well
The cavalries charged
The Indians fell
The cavalries charged
The Indians died
Oh the country was young
With God on its side

Oh the Spanish-American
War had its day
And the Civil War too
Was soon laid away
And the names of the heroes
I's made to memorize
With guns in their hands
And God on their side

Oh the First World War, boys
It closed out its fate
The reason for fighting
I never got straight
But I learned to accept it
Accept it with pride
For you don't count the dead
When God's on your side

When the Second World War
Came to an end
We forgave the Germans
And we were friends
Though they murdered six million
In the ovens they fried
The Germans now too
Have God on their side

I've learned to hate Russians
All through my whole life
If another war starts
It's them we must fight
To hate them and fear them
To run and to hide
And accept it all bravely
With God on my side

But now we got weapons
Of the chemical dust
If fire them we're forced to
Then fire them we must
One push of the button
And a shot the world wide
And you never ask questions
When God's on your side

In a many dark hour
I've been thinkin' about this
That Jesus Christ
Was betrayed by a kiss
But I can't think for you
You'll have to decide
Whether Judas Iscariot
Had God on his side

So now as I'm leavin'
I'm weary as Hell
The confusion I'm feelin'
Ain't no tongue can tell
The words fill my head
And fall to the floor
If God's on our side
He'll stop the next war

Quote of the Day

The Corrs

Before Regina Spektor, before Coldplay (and a few other bands in between), I was first and foremost a Corrs fan. The Corrs is an Irish band consists of four exceptional siblings – Jim, Sharon, Caroline, and Andrea Corr. Aside from being Irish who are known for their music, they come from a family of musicians as their parents were both in their own band back then called the Sound Affair (sounds cool for a band's name). So it’s no surprise that they got the genes from their folks.

I first heard of them when I was a freshman in college, that would be 11 years ago, and I’m still a fan to this day. I used to read a lot about them, their biographies and such! I was ashamed by how much I read about them. You know you are a big fan when your friends hear a Corrs' song and they think of you immediately. Then my brother got me a copy of a magazine (above photo) with them as the cover which he bought overseas, that meant a lot to me. I also got a postcard from a friend who had been on one their concert, that was so sincere of her. Ahh, how I wish it will be my turn to see them in concert someday.

I can’t also seem to decide who my favorite Corr sister is, at one point I wanted to be Sharon, then Andrea, and then Caroline. All of them are pretty and talented, but when I base it on the instrument I wanted to play the drums, it is by far the coolest thing to play next to the violin, the tin whistle,... There were times that I pretended I was on stage singing too. On the other hand I put on the cd on my walkman, closed my eyes and allowed myself to go places...

I think musicians should be a goodwill ambassadors of their countries too, the Corrs got me interested in Ireland. They represent their already beautiful country when they play Celtic music and just even using some of their traditional musical instrument to their own music.

These days The Corrs is on hiatus, but I read they will have a comeback soon so I'm excited for the new stuff. As for now, here are two of their songs in their first studio album “Forgiven not Forgotten”…I miss the Corrs and watching these videos below just brings back memories. Ah, how music has been part of my life, it has been a refuge…

Love To Love You:

Runaway:

Quote of the Day

Desiderata

I read this poem years ago, and its one of those things that gives a profound effect on you . Although there were times that I totally forgot about this poem but now that I rediscovered it again, it becomes more raw, in the nick of time, and speak more truth to it than ever before. I find reading this passage a spiritual thing for me to do, so it's a good way to read on this from time to time... In your own private space, in your journal, or in these case reading it online.

DESIDERATA

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

Too Sweet For Words

Together now - "Ohhhhhh" this is just so sweet, my heart is melting...


"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. "

- Helen Keller

Truthfully by Lisa Loeb

This isn't what I like to call flattery,
but I know that I believe that I've found what's true,
that I've found what's you.

Truthfully I
I'm finding finally.
Truthfully you
you helped me find at last.
Truthfully we
are finding out what's true.
And Truthfully I am finding out what's you.

Surprise, cause I was flying the plane.
Surprise, cause now I'm smiling again.
Surprise, cause you showed up with your parachute.
Surprise, I'm kind of happy you showed up.

Truthfully I
I'm finding finally.
Truthfully you
you helped me find at last.
Truthfully we
are finding out what's true.
And Truthfully I am finding out what's you.

Truthfully, I really can't explain, I'm floating, I'm smiling again.
Truthfully, I can't ignore you, cause I've been waiting for you.
Truthfully, I'm not desperate, I haven't changed my mind since we first met,
but the last thing that I want to do is to tell you that I'm right for you.

Truthfully I
I'm finding finally.
Truthfully you
you helped me find at last.
Truthfully we
are finding out what's true.
And Truthfully I am finding out what's you.

I'm finding finally.
Truthfully, I'm finding out what's you.
I'm smiling again.
Truthfully

The Buddha-ful