For Chris & For Tobin
When I heard this tune by The Call, both of you came to mind. I offer these lyrics and this tune in tribute to you both. As friends, you are on opposite ends of the spectrum of sensibility concerning the existence of God, but I think that you are moving in the same direction. Life is a long journey, likened to a extended voyage on a sea. Sometime the horizon can be obscured by waves on high seas. No matter whether on calm days or sailing leeward into a gale, we do our best to carry on.
The tune is for both of you and a tribute to the inspiration that you have been to me. The lyrics follow.
I STILL BELIEVE
By The Call
I been in a cave
For forty days
Only a spark
To light my way
I wanna give out
I wanna give in
This is our crime
This is our sin
But i still believe
I still believe
Through the pain
And the grief
Through the lies
Through the storms
Through the cries
And through the wars
Oh, i still believe
Flat on my back
Out a sea
Hopin’ these waves
Don’t cover me
I’m turned and tossed
Upon the waves
When the darkness comes
I feel the grave
But i still believe
I still believe
Through the cold
And the heat
Through the pain
And through the tears
Through the crowds
And through the cheers
Oh, i still believe
I’ll march this road
I’ll climb this hill
Down on my knees if i have to
I’ll take my place
Up on this stage
I’ll wait ’til the end of time
For you like everybody else
I’m out on my own
Walkin’ the streets
Look at the faces
That i meet
I feel like i like i want to go home
What do i feel
What do i know
But i still believe
I still believe
Through the shame
And through the grief
Through the heartache
Through the years
Through the waiting
Through the years
For people like us
In places like this
We need all the hope
That we can get
Oh, i still believe
3 thoughts on “For Chris & For Tobin”
Thank you, Jerry, for your kind words. Morality, kindness, generosity, inclusion and even faith and hope are not the exclusive purview of those who embrace religious doctrine. On the other hand, neither can I lay claim to the moral high ground by espousing my own point of view with regard to religion. We all hope that each person will find the rational compassion within themselves to make the world a better place. And when I say “better place”, I don’t believe this to be a subjective definition, for the less strife, the less war, the less hunger and hatred that encompasses our only home, this planet, is for the betterment of all. So is there room for those who see the world from the church’s pulpit? Of course there is, especially when the tenets preached are moving the congregants towards a greater understanding of the world and, more importantly, of themselves.
As you noted Jerry, perhaps we are finding a similar path. What it all comes down to is that I don’t care what bus I get on, what color or shape it is or who else is on that bus, as long as we’re all going in the same direction.
My judgment as well. It matters more which direction the bus travels, than who else may have bought a ticket.
Jerry and Tobin,
I didn’t have a chance to read your posts until today. Thank you for your post and kind comments Jerry. I want to say I agree with you both. If we truly want a better world then we will get on the bus TOGETHER and do whatever we can to seek solutions to the problems we face today. We need to accept the reality that we are a diverse global community all sharing the same home in this vast universe.
Personally I want to listen to people’s thoughts on global issues and seek ways to promote meaningful dialog with one another. I want to “believe” we can find a way to work together to find solutions to the challenges and concerns we all face. I agree Jerry, I think Tobin and I have the same concerns on this issue, despite our differing views on God.