THE THREAD | Who is my neighbor anyway?
Good morning, folks.
For this week, I am sharing another one of the song demos I've been working on. A good friend of mine who is an ordained minister has wrestled with this question all year: How do I love my neighbor when I am supposed to stay away from them? This song grew out of that question. As we watch in the news this week what can happen when deeply alienated people are given guns and new enemies, I'd say it's essential that all of us keep wrestling with how to lay down our own weapons and learn the hard ways of love instead.
Thanks again to my friend Jordan Kenning for recording and producing this with me -- and a shout out to my son, Annen, for the tambourine.
Here's the SoundCloud link to "Neighbor ." The lyrics are below. Hope you enjoy it.
Turn it up loud. Wake the neighbors.
~ ~ ~
WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR ANYWAY?
My neighbor hung a banner from his balcony
Said the world is going to end in just two weeks
Quoted lots of scripture, running out of time,
world gone to hell but he’s gonna be just fine
Who is my neighbor anyway?
Every man for every man,
wash your hands of it all
Waiting around till the coast is clear
trying to find what’s essential 'round here
The end of times creeping on your lawn
But you’re so bored a plague’ll make you yawn
Who is my neighbor anyway?
Every man for every man,
wash your hands of it all
Your tribe used to be the folks on your street
Now a tribe ain’t a tribe if you disagree
But you can find a new friend online for free
speak your mind, hide behind the screen
Who is my neighbor anyway?
A man on the block, he caught that cold
Coughing something awful on the side of the road
I cross by to the other side
Man, I’m just doing what I’m told
Who is my neighbor anyway?
Every man for every man,
wash your hands of it all
~ ~ ~
What I'm listening to: Sara Watkins' self-titled album, Muse's "Madness", The Tallis Singers Sing Palestrina
What I'm reading: John Williams' Stoner
What I'm watching: Holderness Family's "For The First Time in Forever," Van Morrison performing "Caravan" in The Last Waltz
~ ~ ~
Peace and grace,
Andrew
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