I cried my way into work today.

[BigBearJohn]

I have been so swallowed up by the sins of this evil administration for the last 5 years, little did I realize that everything that was ever important to me was dying... I was drowning in a sea of bitterness, sarcasm, and cynicism surrounding me. Consumed with anger by everything happening in this nation, I had completely lost contact with who I am spiritually and find myself becoming jaded.

Last week I ordered an import CD of the music of "Donovan" and today I played it in my car for the first time in 30 years on way to work. It warmed my heart to hear his soothing voice but then, as he began the first refrain of "Catch the Wind" -- I completely lost it. His words reminded me of time of purity in my life. I started blubbering like an old fool... all the way from the bottom of my stomach... the tears kept coming and I couldn't stop them. It was as if God had just touched my shoulder to remind me of who I am and how far I had strayed from my original dreams.

“In the chilly hours and minutes,
Of uncertainty, I want to be,
In the warm hold of your loving mind.

To feel you all around me,
And to take your hand, along the sand,
Ah, but I may as well try and catch the wind.

When sundown pales the sky,
I wanna hide a while, behind your smile,
And everywhere I'd look, your eyes I'd find.

For me to love you now,
Would be the sweetest thing, 'twould make me sing,
Ah, but I may as well, try and catch the wind.

When rain has hung the leaves with tears,
I want you near, to kill my fears
To help me to leave all my blues behind.

For standin' in your heart,
Is where I want to be, and I long to be,
Ah, but I may as well, try and catch the wind.”


In the movie "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" -- The film culminates, visually and thematically, with St. Francis's audience with Pope Innocent III in Rome. Barefooted and dressed in rags, St. Francis enter a scene of impossible majesty and splendor, the papal court arrayed on either side of the massive hall in sumptuous colored garments, the mile-high ceiling sparkling with jewels set in gold. In the film's most stunning moment we see lavishly tiled steps, the perspective flattened to create the effect of an intricately tiled wall, down which the pope descends, clad in white, as if from heaven. "Is it not possible, Holy Father, to live according to the teachings of our Lord? Or have we sinned through presumption? If that be the case, then we would like your Holiness to tell us of our errors." The pope replies: "My dearest son, errors will be forgiven. In our obsession with original sin we too often forget original innocence. Don't let that happen to you. … We are encrusted with riches and power. You in your poverty put us to shame." With tears in his eyes, the Pope kneels down and kisses the feet of St. Francis.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/reviews/brothersunsistermoon.html

I will NEVER allow this world to bring me back to that state of darkness. Love IS the answer.

Lyrics from "Brother Sun, Sister Moon"
by Donovan

If you want your dream to be
Build it slow and surely.
Small beginnings, greater ends.
Heartfelt work grows purely.

"If you want to live life free,
Take your time, go slowly.
Do few things, but do them well.
Simple joys are holy.

Day by day, stone by stone,
Build your secret slowly.
Day by day, you'll grow, too,
You'll know heaven's glory."


Focus on the light; the only power evil has is
that which it steals from Goodness.

[lonestarnot]

1. Ah Bigjohnbear.... I'm sorry. Love is the answer, but damn it's tough egh

[CaptAhab]

2. Very moving

I sometimes play Riki Tiki Tavi when I feel depressed and helpless.

Everybody who read the Jungle Book knows that Riki Tiki Tavi is a
mongoose who kills snakes.
Well when I was a young man I was led to believe there were organisations to kill my snakes for me:
i.e. the church, i.e. the government, i.e. the school.
But when I got a little older, I learned I had to kill them myself.

[BigBearJohn]

4. Welcome to DU, CaptAhab!

:hi:

[fight4my3sons]

67. I do that too!

gotta love Riki Tiki Tavi! Always cheers me up.

Welcome to DU!
I'm pretty new around here too :)

[peacetalksforall]

3. Love for all the children. Love in concept or reality for all the other

people on this planet.

It is very difficult for people of our country to love other people on this earth. Even though it is the Christian thing to do. Even though the great majority of their ancestors came from somewhere else on this earth.

If all decisions were made for the love and protection of children we would have a perfect path to follow.

[Xipe Totec]

5. When you learn to find a smile

You reminded me of this poem that mentions St. Francis. I hope the words bring you confort:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=335x720

[BigBearJohn]

8. That IS beautiful; thanks for sharing.

[MadisonProgressive]

6. That happened to me right after the 'election' of 2004

I was just driving along, minding my own business, when all of a sudden the realization of what this meant came shattering down on me. The first time in my life I've truly felt completely without hope. Without a future for my kids. Without the future of the human race.

I'm back in denial mode now, so I feel much better....

[tlsmith1963]

73. Me, Too

I keep thinking that things just aren't like they used to be anymore, & it really bothers me. I was in a funk for months after Bush won again in '04. I can distract myself sometimes & forget, but it never lasts for long. I can't be like those mindless people who want the X-Box just because everyone else has it, I guess. I can't live in their empty world for long. I'm too aware of what Bush has done. It's hard for me in my 40s, but I bet it's a lot tougher for people who experienced the '60s as adults. Things have changed too much, & not for the better. I only hope that somehow, the world will go back to the way it used to be, that things will seem familiar again. Living in this era is too much like a bad nightmare I want to wake up from.

Tammy

[NCarolinawoman]

7. I love that song, I deeply appreciate your post.

When you learn about Saint Francis, you come to realize what a beautiful human being he was. A truely spiritual person.....a hero of his time, and it would be so good if he were a hero of our present time as well.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

10. St. Francis

is my personal patron saint.

[BigBearJohn]

89. ...and I deeply appreciate YOU.

:hug:

[bigbrother05]

9. It is often the small things that help us to make sense of the world.

Your's is a message we all need to hear from time to time. We all need to feel our 'original innocence' from time to time. The shells we create to deal with the world often isolate us from our own better selves, glad you were able to reconnect.

[BigBearJohn]

14. Very profound. Thanks for sharing. It means a lot to me.

[OneBlueSky]

11. check out this book . . .

Original Blessing
by Matthew Fox

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1585420670/qid=1133809381/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-5402549-1114462?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

[ellenfl]

12. john, this place gives me hope. before du i wanted to cry all the

time. now i take my solace here, reading the news that others ferret out and that i won't hear on tv. hang in there. you are NOT alone.

ellen fl

[AuntiBush]

79. I think that's why we all here. DU gives us solace & hope...

...Everyone out here defines DU.

You're right, ellen fl, John is not alone - none of us are anymore since we found one another here.

Sometimes I troll in the background, reading everyone's postings & sharing most thoughts. Weary from scandals and at times feeling hopeless, ready to give-up hope, I think of Saint Seton or head for DU.

What more could any of us ask for right now. :grouphug: :hi:

[durrrty libby]

13. I feel your pain... (miss Bill so much)

I know exactly how you feel and I have been so full of despair these past 5 years. If you can get back to joy, that is wonderful. I have not found a way to do that, and our future seems so hopeless to me.

[AuntiBush]

80. Know Exactly How You Feel.

That's why I'm here, too.

I've been finding ways to get past it lately by using simple things, like noticing a small bird sitting outside my window. Saved a kitten last week out of a gutter. Who helped me? The homeless in a park across the road. Did the shoppers? No. The homeless did, going out of their way searching alleys for boxes & using those box-cutters we're all suppose to be frightened of to get the kitty out of the deep gutter.

They even escorted her to my car so she wouldn't hop out of the box and escape, worse - get hit by a car. So, I have another little mouth to feed. It's cold outside & it's an even colder world I see outside my windows these days.

The kitty gives me purpose, and with purpose we find hope.

Then a thought hit me the other day: If we loose hope, "they" really do win. Can't have that now, can we.

Don't Give-Up.

[AuntiBush]

81. Don't Quit

Sent this to a friend of mine the other day. Have it hanging on the wall - for years now. Read it almost every day.

It helps.

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low, and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with it's twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,
It's when things seem worse,
That you must not quit.

by Edgar A. Guest

:hi:

[JanusAscending]

84. Thank you for SAVING MY LIFE!!

This poem has literally made me stop......and remember that we never know what possiblity awaits us in the Dawn of a new day! Thank you,:grouphug: DC

[Moosepoop]

86. Thank you so much for this!!!

I grew up with a volume of Edgar A. Guest's poems and loved them all, including this one. I don't know whatever happened to the book, and had basically forgotten about it. But I've had the phrase "Don't you quit" pop into my mind at the lowest points in my life, and it always spurred me on even though I couldn't place the origin any more. I'm going to find another volume of his poetry now. Thank you again for bringing back a wonderful piece of my childhood!

[BigBearJohn]

98. Isn't it amazing what a font of life-affirming knowledge exists on DU?!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[RoBear]

15. I kept being drawn back to that movie.

Must have seen it seven or eight times.

[BigBearJohn]

18. Me too. The truth of it is its simplicity. Very powerful. Beautiful.

[Kazak]

16. Semi-unrelated: when I was five years old...

I used to sneek into the living room and steel my folks records and play them on my little record player in my room. I remember my favorite song, by far, to listen to was called The Intergalactic Laxative, by Donovan. That song totally removed the mystique of cussing for me at an early age. I hadn't heard that song in literally thirty years, when a friend of mine recently uncovered a copy for me and I finally heard it again for the first time since those days. Hearing that tune after so long was truly a surreal experience for me.

[pberq]

17. Kick! - Recommended

The answer that will address the underlying problems is to strengthen our spiritual lives.

Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and others demostrated this.

[FranzFerdinand]

19. Brother Sun, Sister Moon!

what a fantastic movie. 2 movies that i hold dear... Brother Sun, Sister Moon (music scored by Donovan) and Harold & Maude (music from Cat Stevens) ;)

[KoKo]

20. Thanks for sharing. It comes at a time

when I think many of us are going through what you are feeling and need a little help getting back into who we really are, away from all the evil swirling around us. It becomes too much, sometimes and can eat away at one's soul.

I'll have to rent the Movie....I've never seen it. But, I remember Donavan's music and haven't heard it in years, so that will be a treat. :-)'s

[BigBearJohn]

22. Great! I'll be anxiously waiting to hear from you and how it affected you.

:bounce:

[bluedawg12]

21. Hey, BigBearJohn- I understand, many here do.

these are corrupt times and many of us get battle weary seeing the same things happening again and again.

In the 70's we all imagined the 21st century to be a bright, shining, hopeful place. It seemed like humanistic values, higher ideals, and a general tide towards goodness would emerge.

Somethings happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear...

Corruption around us is wearying. It exhausts the soul. But it can't break our soul... if we don't let it. You are reaching out for the things that comfort you and give you peace. Whether it's your faith, your spirituality, your family, friends, music, nature, the good things are around you.

We all need a break from this nightmare.

The holidays/ holy-days are here, why not reach out to someone or something less fortunate? Adopt a kitten or pup. Bring food for an elderly person. Help feed a family in need? Volunteer your time and energy?

Giving to others is a great way to reaffirm our dreams and ideals. It strikes a blow against materialism and corruption.
It nourishes the soul.

Peace brother-
bluedawggy

"For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield.”

There's something happening here
What it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man with a gun over there
Telling me I got to beware
I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
There's battle lines being drawn
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
Young people speaking their minds
Getting so much resistance from behind
I think it's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
What a field-day for the heat
A thousand people in the street
Singing songs and carrying signs
Mostly say, hooray for our side
It's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid
You step out of line, the man come and take you away
We better stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, now, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down

[mzmolly]

23. Focusing on the light with you BigBear.

:hug:

[BigBearJohn]

25. Cheers!

:hi: :hug: :applause:

[mzmolly]

29. Cheers to you too dah-link.

:loveya:

[banana republican]

24. I went out a few weeks ago and bought a book

I haven't read in 30 years "Mr. Blue" by Myles Connolly.

William Stringfellow suggested that I read it. It made such a difference.

From Pages 44 - 45

Blue announced his intention of flying the kite. that was one temptation he could never resist, he explained--the immediate flying of a new kite. " Who knows what a new kite will do? It may show powers undreamed of, special powers given it by accidental twists, fourth dimensional twists, with which it might pull the earth off its orbit, lug it away into the sun and planets, setting them crossing, colliding,crashing, blasting the whole universe to pieces. that would be a kite!!..." while he talked he fastened the kite by a slender cord that he unrolled from a great wooden spool. "What a kite! The least this green dragon can do is to pull me off the roof, pull me up over the city, up over the great lakes ... up over Canada...up over Alaska.. Up over the North Pole.

Meanwhile he made the kite ready. He set it on top of multicolored packing case. then, giving himself plenty of free cord, he sprinted to the edge of the roof. I thought he would go over the parapet. But just as he reached the edge, the kite caught wind and went up in little spurts. <snip> He was still against the parapet . There came a lull in the kite's progress. Blue kept pulling in the cord and releasing it, pulling it in and releasing it, to force the kite up wards. suddenly, cramped for arm room, he jumped up to the top of the parapet. And there leaning backward over the city, leaning with nothing holding him but uncertain pull of the kite on a piece of string, with four hundred feet of frightful space beneath him, he began to sing....

[burythehatchet]

26. Truth=Love=God nt

[Peace Patriot]

27. Something sweet, something simple, from a time even before (just before)

we thought we understood about war. It keeps coming back to me. And it is a fond remembrance of some people--some friends--who are gone now, and whom the war profiteers, and the callous rich, and our corporate masters, and our collusive and corrupt representatives, and most of our presidents, considered to be cannon fodder.

WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE
words and music by Pete Seeger

Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the flowers gone?
Girls have picked them every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the young girls gone?
Taken husbands every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

Where have all the young men gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the young men gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the young men gone?
Gone for soldiers every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

Where have all the soldiers gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Gone to graveyards every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

Where have all the graveyards gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Covered with flowers every one
When will we ever learn?
When will we ever learn?

©1961 (Renewed) Fall River Music Inc
All Rights Reserved.

------------------

Democracy is as sweet a thing as a song. It resonates in the human heart. And it will endure. Be comforted, friend.

[BigBearJohn]

28. I choke up EVERYTIME I hear that song. Thanks. Here's one for you:

Universal Soldier
by Donovan

He's five foot-two, and he's six feet-four,
He fights with missiles and with spears.
He's all of thirty-one, and he's only seventeen,
Been a soldier for a thousand years.

He'a a Catholic, a Hindu, an Atheist, a Jain,
A Buddhist and a Baptist and a Jew.
And he knows he shouldn't kill,
And he knows he always will,
Kill you for me my friend and me for you.

And he's fighting for Canada,
He's fighting for France,
He's fighting for the USA,
And he's fighting for the Russians,
And he's fighting for Japan,
And he thinks we'll put an end to war this way.

And he's fighting for Democracy,
He's fighting for the Reds,
He says it's for the peace of all.
He's the one who must decide,
Who's to live and who's to die,
And he never sees the writing on the wall.

But without him,
How would Hitler have condemned him at Dachau?
Without him Caesar would have stood alone,
He's the one who gives his body
As a weapon of the war,
And without him all this killing can't go on.

He's the Universal Soldier and he really is to blame,
His orders come from far away no more,
They come from here and there and you and me,
And brothers can't you see,
This is not the way we put the end to war.

[PlanetBev]

30. I'm with ya, Bearsky

I listen to my records from the 60's as frequently as possible, and they always make me feel so sad.

This is what hurts about getting older; remembering the feeling the feeling of being young and idealistic, and seeing your hopes and dreams for the world dashed by your own country.

[BigBearJohn]

32. Wow. Did you ever hit the nail on the head. (chills) - Yet, I still

think I can resurrect the purity (tempered with wisdom of age)
of those feelings and find revitalized purpose in life. The
purity of that idealism can and WILL be realized once again by me,
or I will die trying. I will never again fall victim to their
messages of hopelessness. Beauty is from within and they can
NEVER take that away from me. I will walk in the light from this
day forward.

[AuntiBush]

82. Like Minds think Alike, PlanetBev.

Really...

[ClayZ]

31. Leonard Choen

http://www.leonardcohen.com/

Anthem

The birds they sang
at the break of day
Start again
I heard them say
Don't dwell on what
has passed away
or what is yet to be.


Ah the wars they will
be fought again
The holy dove
She will be caught again
bought and sold
and bought again
the dove is never free.


Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.


We asked for signs
the signs were sent:
the birth betrayed
the marriage spent
Yeah the widowhood
of every government --
signs for all to see.


I can't run no more
with that lawless crowd
while the killers in high places
say their prayers out loud.
But they've summoned, they've summoned up
a thundercloud
and they're going to hear from me.


Ring the bells that still can ring ...


You can add up the parts
but you won't have the sum
You can strike up the march,
there is no drum
Every heart, every heart
to love will come
but like a refugee.


Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.


Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
That's how the light gets in.
That's how the light gets in.

[BigBearJohn]

33. Wow!!! I have to read more. That was incredible!

[ClayZ]

35. I am a Bell Ringer!

Peace, dear BigBearJohn!
Your posts illuminate! And they touch all of us who read them!



The Weight of a Snowflake

"Tell me the weight of a snowflake," a coalmouse asked a wild dove.

"Nothing more than nothing," the dove answered.

"In that case I must tell you a marvelous story," the coalmouse said. "I sat on a fir branch close to the trunk when it began to snow. Not heavily, not in a raging blizzard. No, just like in a dream, without any violence at all. Since I didn't have anything better to do, I counted the snowflakes settling on the twigs and needles of my branch. Their number was exactly 3,471,952.


When the next snowflake dropped onto the branch--nothing more than nothing -- as you say -- the branch broke off."

Having said that, the coalmouse ran away.

The dove, since Noah's time an authority on peace, thought about the story for a while. Finally, she said to herself, "Perhaps there is only one person's voice lacking for peace to come to the world." - Source unknown

[BigBearJohn]

36. Thanks ClayZ... I'll be moving to your neck of the woods in Mar'06

to Whidbey Island. By the way ... did you see "Polar Express"?

[ClayZ]

38. It is so beautiful there!

The "Islanders" when getting on the ferry to Mukilteo (where we live), call it "comming to the states.

We have been shopping for a house there too.

Have your already been to visit Whidbey?


Polar Express... I will check it out
http://polarexpressmovie.warnerbros.com/

[BigBearJohn]

41. I spent a week there in May and bought a piece of property

I'm just worried that I "might" get bored on the island. I do
remember how much I liked Mukilteo. Sure is a pretty town.
I bought a piece of property just 6 miles south of Coupeville.
My son is going to build us a small home over there. I sure
would love hearing any of your personal reflections on the area.

Your "bell ringer" reference made me think of Polar Express --
it now ranks as one of my top 5 Christmas movies. Be sure to
see it with your kids (grownup kids count too)and make some popcorn,
hot chocolate or what-have-you and enjoy it as a family or with
friends.

[endarkenment]

34. I am with you!

We are all here together. We all share the same disconnect between what is and what could have been. But it is not too late. As long as you can breathe you can dream and as along as you can dream you have the potential to make your dreams real.


- another child of the '60s

[BigBearJohn]

37. Right on! Our dreams aren't dead... they just need to be nudged a little

It seems to alive and well on this thread for sure!

[moc]

39. This happened to me when we visited Assisi last year

The power of St. Francis permeates that village. Entering the Piazza de Francesco, I was moved to tears.

In the spirit of the Franciscans, I say to you, "Pace e bene" ("peace and goodness").

Beautiful post. Thank you very much.

[MissWaverly]

40. Here's a CD you might like, Shipwrecks & Islands

Love is Stronger than Fear

Higher than the Mountains
Deeper than the Oceans
Further than the Starlight
could ever ever shine

Safer than a Fortress
Braver than the heroes
Louder than the Silence
That broke your heart this time

If the night is falling
and the Shadows are near
Love is stronger
so much stronger than fear.

Timeless as the ages
peaceful like a river
closer than a close friend
could ever ever be

For all the frightened and the anxious
and the weary
Love is courageous, victorious and mighty
much stronger than fear

[BigBearJohn]

43. Wow. It keeps getting better and better. Thanks!

[MissWaverly]

45. It's a Brit album, it's religious with a humanistic angle

Here's the intro

Although we live in a broken and despairing world, many of us settle for the safety and familiarity of an established lifestyle. We close
our eyes and ears to devastation in the lives of people around us, be
they family, friends or neighbors.
The purpose of Shipwrecks and Islands is not just to provide food for thought, but to offer comfort to those who are broken and a challenge to those who might help but have forgotten the smallest
grains of faith and love can make a world of difference.

Adrian Plass

[Clark2008]

42. Must be the time and the era

My fiance and I have been listening to a lot of Donovan, lately, too.

:hug:

And, we're just in our 30s, so, while I knew all the words because my Mom used to sing these songs to me when I was a baby, it was a whole new experience for my sweetie.

[BigBearJohn]

44. Beauty is timeless.

[stlsaxman]

46. Thanks, John. That scene in BSSM made me weep upon seeing it the first

time in the theatres. At a time when everyone else was seeing "Friends" (the movie), I was going to this movie repeatedly.

Yeah, I cry easily at beauty more and more these days. Coming home from work this afternoon, "Firth Of Fifth" by Genesis came on and it struck me that THIS is why i love/ adore music. Such magnificence is how God touches me.

I console myself by knowing that somewhere someone is certainly creating works of equal value, even if it's not commercially "viable".

Never give up.

My boss would like me to get a haircut. All my heroes were/are radicals, all with long hair. I've ALWAYS had long hair growing up and let it get back there on occasion. Kids are growing their hair longer these days, it seems. There's hope.

[BigBearJohn]

48. Amen and thank YOU for sharing that with me. It's priceless.

It's amazing to me how deeply people are identifying with these feelings. THERE IS HOPE! HOORAY!!!

[Surya Gayatri]

47. Greatly moved by your post, BigBearJohn...

How essential it is to remember our underlying values--truth, right action, peace, love, non-violence. We must never allow our common humanity, as enshrined in these values, to be distored or diluted by the rough and tumble of politics. All of our political efforts must be founded on these shared values, or our actions will ultimately go wrong, if not sooner then later. SG

[BigBearJohn]

49. Well-stated!... "founded on these shared values"... aptly put.

:hug:

[blueraven95]

50. how interesting that you bring up Donovan

I just went to his concert on Saturday. (He has a new world tour that just started.) I was blown away by both his talent and that of his band. He definitely still puts on a great show, and he did all of the favorites, along with a bunch of anti-war songs. If he is coming to your area, then I highly recommend getting tickets.

[BigBearJohn]

51. WHAT!!!?? How do I get tickets? Do you have a website?

I'm DYING to go!

[blueraven95]

72. well, here's what I have...hope it helps.

http://www.livedaily.com/news/Donovan_tour_marks_40_years_in_music-9098.html?t=1

I only knew about it because he was playing in a hall I have worked in before....I was on the mailing list. I'm not sure where else he is playing, but it looked like there were locations on that website. Good Luck! (And it really was a fantastic show! -- He played music I forgot I loved, and a couple of new songs too.)

[BigBearJohn]

52. To all of you BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE on DU, here's a song for you:

BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE -- by Melanie

Beautiful People...
You live in the same world as I do
But somehow I never noticed
You before today
I'm ashamed to say

Beautiful people
We share the same back door
And it isn't right
We never met before
But then
We may never meet again
If I weren't afraid you'd laugh at me
I would run and take all your hands
And I'd gather everyone together for a day
And when we gather'd
I'll pass buttons out that say
Beautiful people
Then you'd never have to be alone
'Cause there'll always be someone
With the same button on as you
Include him in everything you do.

Beautiful people
You ride the same subway
As I do ev'ry morning
That's got to tell you something
We've got so much in common
I go the same direction that you do
So if you take care of me
Maybe I'll take care of you

Beautiful people
You look like friends of mine
And it's about time
That someone said it here and now
I make a vow that some time, somehow
I'll have a meeting
Invite ev'ryone you know
I'll pass out buttons to
The ones who come to show
Beautiful people
Never have to be alone
'Cause there'll always be someone
With the same button on as you
Include him in ev'rything you do
He may be sitting right next to you
He may be beautiful people too
And if you take care of him
Maybe I'll take care of you
And if you take care of him
Maybe I'll take care of you...

[AuntiBush]

78. Everyone Should Listen to Melanie - Especially Nowadays.

Time to get out the headphones, like the old days.

Thanks for that reminder. Wondering what ever happened to her, if she's still around.

[DemExpat]

100. Just got her out a couple of weeks ago.....

God, how I love and feel this song to my core!

Close to it all


While walking through life I would never fall
If I could be close to it all and all,
If I could be close to it all.

If I had my dream it would not fall down
If I could live high on the ground,
The sound of high is a good one to many around
When they wanna be close to it all,
And I wanna be close to it all and all,
I wanna be close to it all.

The village sugar takers,
Madison Avenue pink dream makers,
They try to escape from it all,
But instead they build walls, that's all
But they wanna be close to it all.

If I had my dream I would fill a hall
And tell all the people tear down the wall
That keeps them from being a part of it all
'Cause they gotta get close to it all.

The village sugar takers,
Madison Avenue pink dream makers,
They try to escape from it all,
But instead they build walls, that's all
But they wanna be close to it all.

There's just one more thing that I wanna say:
Everyone has got their own special way
That keeps them from getting too close to the day,
Accept and be part of it all and all;
Everyone tear down your own little wall
That keeps you from being a part of it all
'Cause you gotta be one with the one and all,
And everyone tear down your own little wall
That keeps you from being a part of it all
'Cause you gotta be one with the one and all,
You gotta be close to it all.

:grouphug: :D

DemEx

[BigBearJohn]

103. You and me BOTH. 'Everyone's got there own special way...'

Bless you, my friend.

[redwitch]

53. I think I love you for this post, nah I'm sure of it!

Catch the Wind reduces me to tears every time. It lifts me up at the same time, how confusing is that? Keeping love alive is indeed what it is all about. Most days it is damnably hard to do.

Resistance may be futile.

Resist anyway.

:hug:

[BigBearJohn]

54. Love you twice as much! The song has the SAME effect on me.

It's a song about such pure love on so many levels.
What else are we here for, really? I've listened to the
song 15 times today... and it makes me cry EVERY time.
It has to be hitting some very very deep chords in me.

Thanks for sharing your feelings about it. I am so
lifted today... what's funny is... as I was listening to
the song, I was wondering how many other people it affects
the same as me... and I came back to work... and there
was your post... wow.

[BigBearJohn]

55. Close to it All

CLOSE TO IT ALL -- by Melanie

While walking through life I would never fall
If I could be close to it all and all,
If I could be close to it all.

If I had my dream it would not fall down
If I could live high on the ground,
The sound of high is a good one to many around
When they wanna be close to it all,
And I wanna be close to it all and all,
I wanna be close to it all.

The village sugar takers,
Madison Avenue pink dream makers,
They try to escape from it all,
But instead they build walls, that's all
But they wanna be close to it all.

If I had my dream I would fill a hall
And tell all the people tear down the wall
That keeps them from being a part of it all
'Cause they gotta get close to it all.

The village sugar takers,
Madison Avenue pink dream makers,
They try to escape from it all,
But instead they build walls, that's all
But they wanna be close to it all.

There's just one more thing that I wanna say:
Everyone has got their own special way
That keeps them from getting too close to the day,
Accept and be part of it all and all;
Everyone tear down your own little wall
That keeps you from being a part of it all
'Cause you gotta be one with the one and all,
And everyone tear down your own little wall
That keeps you from being a part of it all
'Cause you gotta be one with the one and all,
You gotta be close to it all.

[redwitch]

59. I saw Melanie this fall in Saratoga Springs, New York

Her voice is still awesome as is her message. Ah, little reminders all the time...
She sang Candles in the Rain and I was transported.

[BigBearJohn]

64. Goosebumps. Oh that I could have been there with you.

[AuntiBush]

83. Glad to Hear She's Still Around...

Would LUV to see her before I get any older!

"Candles in the Rain." Now, that song can inspire even the most cynical. She still gives me goosebumps.

Maybe she'll show-up at a March someday.

[cassiepriam]

56. I have been in the same pain for so long. Peace and love to you.

I hope some day we can all heal, along with our country.

[bonito]

57. Beautiful...thank you, Peace

[La Coliniere]

58. I'm a kindred spirit....

I know how you feel. I've had these moments of pain and release myself over the past 5 years. How I long for tears of joy instead of sorrow and pain over what's happened to us. We're all in this together, and together we'll once again feel joy and bliss. When the yoke of this present govenment finally is lifted from our necks, I'll remember those whom I met, and felt like I do, the good folks at DU.

[timtom]

60. I've got a playlist of mp3's

that includes Kate Smith singing "God Bless America", Winston Churchill announcing that "This morning, Hitler attacked Russia...", followed by "Let There Be Peace on Earth". Makes me sob like a baby every time I play it (in memory of the America I love so much). It's sorta like "Edelweiss" was to the Trapp family when the Nazi rule was overtly evident in Austria.

[BigBearJohn]

63. Boy, can I EVER relate. Thanks.

[Eric J in MN]

61. What is the name of the album?

nt

[BigBearJohn]

114. Sorry. Didn't see your post. Here's a link to the album

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000AM786/ref=cm_taf_asin_title_cs/103-4238033-1841414?n=5174

[hippywife]

62. Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled
as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.


If we would/could all practice it from where we are at any moment, maybe a different world is possible.

Peace and hugs, John!

[esvhicl]

65. I'm a Donovan fan myself

Ran into him on the Sunset Strip many years ago here in LA. But star sightings are common in my 'hood.

Here's another song, which is so PERTINENT for today.

'The Fiddle and the Drum'

And so once again
My dear Johnny my dear friend
And so once again you are fightin' us all
And when I ask you why
You raise your sticks and cry, and I fall
Oh, my friend
How did you come
To trade the fiddle for the drum

You say I have turned
Like the enemies you've earned
But I can remember
All the good things you are
And so I ask you please
Can I help you find the peace and the star
Oh, my friend
What time is this
To trade the handshake for the fist

And so once again
Oh, America my friend
And so once again
You are fighting us all
And when we ask you why
You raise your sticks and cry and we fall
Oh, my friend
How did you come
To trade the fiddle for the drum

You say we have turned
Like the enemies you've earned
But we can remember
All the good things you are
And so we ask you please
Can we help you find the peace and the star
Oh my friend
We have all come
To fear the beating of your drum

-- Joni Mitchell

[katinmn]

66. I was listening to Donovan today, too

and I know exactly how you've been feeling, BigBearJohn, because I'm feeling it, too. It's like I've lost a part of my soul sometimes. Last night I dreamed someone I loved was being tortured! Woke up in a sweat scared and sad. Went back to sleep and re-entered the same dream, only with different torture techniques. These people are killing our souls, if we let them.

Anyhow...one of my favorite Donovan tunes:



Sunshine Superman
Donovan

Sunshine came softly through my a-window today
Could've tripped out easy a-but I've a-changed my ways
It'll take time, I know it but in a while
You're gonna be mine, I know it, we'll do it in style
'Cause I made my mind up you're going to be mine

I'll tell you right now
Any trick in the book now, baby, all that I can find
Everybody's hustlin' just to have a little scene
When I say we'll be cool I think that you know what I mean
We stood on a beach at sunset, do you remember when?
I know a beach where, baby, a-it never ends
When you've made your mind up forever to be mine

Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
I'll pick up your hand and slowly blow your little mind
'Cause I made my mind up you're going to be mine
I'll tell you right now
Any trick in the book now, baby, all that I can find

Superman or Green Lantern ain't got a-nothin' on me
I can make like a turtle and dive for your pearls in the sea, yeah!
A you-you-you can just sit there a-thinking on your velvet throne
'bout all the rainbows a-you can a-have for your own
When you've made your mind up forever to be mine
I'll pick up your hand and slowly blow your little mind
When you've made your mind up forever to be mine

I'll pick up your hand
I'll pick up your hand

[fight4my3sons]

68. You could have taken the thoughts right out of my head.

I have been feeling the same way lately and it scares the crap out of me. I can't stand it. My husband worries about how "obsessed" I am with what is going on in politics. This is the only place I can come that keeps me sane.

...and I love Donovan :loveya:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

69. I had an episode like that a few years ago

upon seeing the segment of Eyes on the Prize, Part 2 that dealt with 1968.

Even though I lived through that year as a high school senior and college freshman, it had never before realized how much this country lost with the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy and how different it would have been if the ideals espoused by those two men had been put into action.

It was months before I could even talk about it without breaking down. :cry:

[The Kicker]

70. Your tears reflect your beauty,BigBearJohn.

I thank you for this wonderful gift. This is now, and will probably always remain, my all-time favorite thread. Peace to you.

[BigBearJohn]

75. Your gift to me is thatyou really understand its true significance.

Thanks for being so nice. This has been one helluva day for me and I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from all over the country. Amazing. Purely astounding. Touches me to the core.

[BigBearJohn]

76. Darn it! You got me blubbering again.

[Gloria]

71. Been there, too lately, BigBearJohn....crying for my youth and the time

when it seemed youth could really change the world. And we did, for a time, we did....

"Wear your love like heaven" one of my favorite Donovan lines.....


Paul Simon's "American Tune" (1973)is another song that really gets to me...

Many's the time I've been mistaken
And many times confused
Yes, and often felt forsaken
And certainly misused
But I'm all right, I'm all right
I'm just weary to my bones
Still, you don't expect to be
Bright and bon vivant
So far away from home, so far away from home

And I don't know a soul who's not been battered
I don't have a friend who feels at ease
I don't know a dream that's not been shattered
or driven to its knees
But it's all right, it's all right
We've lived so well so long
Still, when I think of the road
we're traveling on
I wonder what went wrong
I can't help it, I wonder what went wrong

And I dreamed I was dying
And I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly
And looking back down at me
Smiled reassuringly
And I dreamed I was flying
And high up above my eyes could clearly see
The Statue of Liberty
Sailing away to sea
And I dreamed I was flying

We come on the ship they call the Mayflower
We come on the ship that sailed the moon
We come in the age's most uncertain hour
and sing and American tune
But it's all right, it's all right
You can't be forever blessed
Still, tomorrow's going to be another working day
And I'm trying to get some rest
That's all I'm trying to get some rest...

************

And don't even start on "America" by Simon & Garfunkel... "Kathy, I'm lost" though I knew she was sleeping....

[DemExpat]

102. I'll have to make a compilation of a lot of these songs to listen to

And one of my all time favorites is Stevie Wonder's double album "Songs in the Key of Life" from 1976......

Fabulous music, vision, lyrics....passion and love.

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/album/10324.html

:hi:

DemEx

[Octafish]

74. Thanks for a great post, BigBearJohn!

What you said makes it clear: Love is the only thing that can stamp out hate without killing what it is that makes us special.

[understandinglife]

77. Thank you.

Peace, my friend.

[B Calm]

85. I have to stick my face in a good book . I read little everyday to escape

reality..

[IronLionZion]

87. and coming from a manly man named BigBearJohn

that was beautiful.

I want my country back.

[cyberpj]

88. Remember that protest sign? "I can't believe we have to protest this crap

again!"

There are so very many of us who understand just how you feel. I too have experienced shedding tears of remembrance for happy, hopeful times when anything seemed possible. I also mourn that our children may never know that feeling.

And then I force myself to read this quote - again - possibly for the hundredth time this year.......

"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall - think of it, ALWAYS." - Gandhi

In fact, for a while, I just put the word ALWAYS on post-its up around my house, car and office as a reminder.

Sending you light, love and understanding, BigBearJohn. And many thanks for your soulful sharing.
Now I'm going to go play my Donovan CDs...

[jokerman93]

90. Right there with you, BigBearJohn

Keep your heart alive. These days, tears are a mark of clarity and strength. They mean you still have your humanity.

Be well. We will prevail.

[BigBearJohn]

91. All these messages go to prove they CAN'T take our love for each other!

[Poet Lariat]

92. I drafted a post last night which I will never send

I read your post BigBearJohn and was taken back to yesterday evening after spending the better part of the day reading at DU. I'm new here and there are many gaps in my knowledge that I know must be filled before I can do a lot to help.

Read a piece from Octafish about the Moon / Bush connections and the BFEE. Read some more about the war and torture. Read some more about election fraud and the corporate media. Read some about money laundering and Tom Delay. Read too much about PNAC. Read way too much about lying, cheating and suffering. In short, at the end of my day here I felt depressed, angry and overwhelmed with despair.

My anger took the form of snapping at my wife for something she did not do. My depression took the form of that lump in my throat which I've been able to suppress for another day. My despair has not left me yet. It's just too much to take in. There's too many things that are running contrary to how I thought they would be. There's a lot wrong in our country and in the world.

So, I began writing. Several hours later and way past my bedtime, I had a muddle that I subsequently erased early this morning. Maybe this is indicative of the muddle that we all find ourselves in right now. There's a lot to overcome and no clearly defined path to get there.

I don't have any answers but I know that the act of expressing these feelings, even if no one else reads them is cathartic. I, like a lot of people am fighting becoming jaded and sarcastic. I, like a lot of others am trying to channel these feelings into positive action. I, like yourself, will try to focus on the light.

Thanks for sharing your feelings. We are all in this together.

I am convinced that with enough time and effort, good can overcome evil - right can overcome wrong. These things must change or my three year old Grandson will inherit a truly ugly world.

He deserves better from us.


Edit - to add that I had not read the reply's to your OP until after I posted this. After reading them I wanted to echo what has been said about the love for each other and the common ground that everyone shares here at DU. It gives me hope.

[BigBearJohn]

95. OUTSTANDING post (had to read it 3 times). Welcome to DU!!!

:toast:

[Poet Lariat]

96. Thanks BigBearJohn...there are a lot of kindred spirits here

I've been made to feel very welcome in spite of my low post count.

I'm stopping by the record store tonight to look for Donovan. All my vinyl from back then is long gone along with a few hundred thousand brain cells that I wish I had back right now.
Note to self - take notes...lotsa good notes.

[BigBearJohn]

97. Great. I'd suggest buying the one titled "Catch the Wind"

[Just Me]

93. It'll be okay.

Love is very much alive as demonstrated by your touching post. :hug:

[AuntPatsy]

94. Beautiful and heartwrenching post..a must view.

[stepnw1f]

99. I Have Done the Same

I really find it hard these days to even draw... I feel I am losing my way. Thanks for the post.

[DemExpat]

101. Yes, I find it very difficult too.....

it is as if there is no positive image/ideal of the world anywhere to focus on anymore, so the message of going into ourselves and spreading some love is possibly all that is left!

Listening to lots of these older songs makes it all painfully clear.

DemEx

[BigBearJohn]

104. You keep it alive by sharing with others and focusing on it...like here

We can't give up. I am making a CD of inspirational songs
that keep me focused on "the light" of love, beauty, friendship,
character, and goodness.

[DemExpat]

105. Wouldn't it be lovely to get together with all of us kindred spirits

on this thread....and wider.....to meet, talk, listen to music that we love, have some FUN!!!!!!!

:hippie: :bounce: :grouphug:

Thanks for sharing yourself with this post here.

DemEx

[BigBearJohn]

106. Thought you'd never ask (grin). Actually, I am a firm believer of

making "communities" of people who love life, believe in life,
want to promote life, see the beauty in small things... in other
words... (as my mother used to say) "I should quit complaining
about THIS world... and join hands with others to create the kind
of world I WANT..."

Create a circle of friends... and let that circle grow wider and
wider and wider... I'm ALL for it.

Love,
Big Bear John

[BigBearJohn]

107. What part of the Netherlands are you in?

[DemExpat]

109. The Hague....

I was also going to ask you if you were not moving away from your children/possible grandkids by going north?

I would love to have a little place somewhere beautiful and peaceful - have looked on the internet at Nova Scotia :rofl:.....the Ardennes in Belgium, etc....even looked at bit at the islands off of Seattle and the Vancouver area. (Looks increasingly crowded and urban to me and I have visions of traffic jams everywhere....like here!)

I love some aspects of Texas (where I was born), but it has changed, as everyplace has, and seems much too conservative I'm afraid, for me now. Been here too long to feel home in Texas.....:evilgrin:

But....Nova Scotia is too cold in winter, Seattle climate is very similar to Holland's and I'd love some mild winters...but, most importantly, I want to stay in the general vicinity of my 2 children!

So, once the kids grow up you still have limits because you don't want to be too far away from them and their families. Now, if I loved to fly.....:puke: :D:D.........

DemEx

[BigBearJohn]

110. My kid is moving with me to WHIDBEY ISLAND near Seattle.

I've done tons of research and I think you would be happy there too!

[DemExpat]

111. That's good....

I'll check it out on the Web....

:hi:

DemEx

[BigBearJohn]

113. Let me know if you need any links. Here's a good one I found:

http://www.bestofwhidbeyisland.com/

and

http://bestofwhidbeyisland.mp2.homes.com/content/article.html/71794

[stepnw1f]

116. We Have to Keep It Alive...

so we will.

[BigBearJohn]

108. Thanks everyone for your great posts. Made me feel totally alive again!

Just like when I was a kid back in the 60's.
Amazing what you can do when people join hands, isn't it?

[murray hill farm]

112. Thank you, bigbearjohn...

you expressed what is in so many of our hearts. Thank you for bringing us all together as you have just done...so many beautiful expressions of hope and love.

[BigBearJohn]

115. Cheers!