When sleep fights you (in honor of GA Democrat and all vets who've seen action)

[lynnertic]

I wrote this so I give myself permission to post it in full. Go to my site to hear the song... :patriot:
http://lynnernet.com/collette/friday-protest-songs/jesus-christ-superstar-everythings-alright/
The Friday Protest Song for July 13, 2007
When Sleep Fights You

“I guess my military career is over. I am confused, relieved and scared all at the same time” begins GA Democrat on the Democratic Underground, as he writes his “personal account going from a super-soldier to disabled veteran in 6 years.”

This is from the end of his article, about his 2005-2006 tour and his return home:

I was hunted every day by IEDs, small arms fires and mortars. We told each other this was bullshit. This is not how we imagined us restoring peace. We were prey and they were hunting us picking us off one by one. Not even our tanks could withstand their new and improved IEDs. Every day for hours I would go on a mission and get lucky (if you can call it that). IEDs that hit my vehicle were not of the advanced kind. I only experienced whiplash and concussions. Silent injuries would come later. Fumes of burning vehicles (especially tanks) and chemicals would start my downfall.

I returned back in one piece but this time I was stabbed, shot and beheaded almost every night in my dreams. I woke up choking my wife one night in my sleep and haven’t slept in the same room since for fear of doing it again. My headaches got worse. I now have almost 8mm of protective skin that surrounds my nerves in my brain gone. They say that if it continues getting worse, I can’t rule out MS. Who’s gonna walk my daughter down the isle 20 years from now? My neck pain is constant and not one medication prescribed is working. I was diagnosed with PTSD.

(Also Recommended: The Nation’s “The Other War: Iraqi Vets Bear Witness” published July 9, 2007)

Next to people like GA Democrat I feel really shy about saying that I’m a vet too — I don’t think I could have had an easier time in the Navy if my father’s middle initials were H.W. I did however, learn some hard lessons, one of them being the importance of sleep. Upon my discharge I lost my alarm clock and promised myself that I would never fight sleep again.
Yvonne Elliman plays Mary Magdelane in the 1971 production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

An MP3 of Everything’s Alright is available here. Lyrics are after the jump.

But for veterans who’ve seen action, sleep fights them.

My heart goes out to these men and women, and I am in such sorrow for what they are being forced to do in our name (it is in our name, no matter how many times you say it isn’t.)

All I can do for them at this time is dedicate my voice and efforts to ending the US occupation of Iraq.

To that end, my Friday Protest Song is from the soundtrack to Jesus Christ Superstar - Mary Magdalene’s lullaby “Everything’s Alright”, which suggests that every warrior, Lo — even the Savior of the World, deserves a restful sleep once in a while.

If I could wish one thing upon Iraq vets, it would be a good night’s sleep. A long, restful, deep, dreamless, healing slumber. Bless you all.

Today’s song is from the soundtrack of the 1971 London stage production of Jesus Christ Superstar, a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Mary Magdalene is played by Yvonne Elliman, Jesus is played by Ian Gillan, and Judas Iscariot is played by Murray Head.

Everything’s Alright

Mary Magdalene:
Try not to get worried, try not to turn on to
Problems that upset you oh don’t you know
Everything’s alright yes everything’s fine
And we want you to sleep well tonight
Let the world turn without you tonight
If we try we’ll get by so forget all about us tonight

Apostles’ Women:
Everything’s alright yes everything’s alright yes

Mary Magdalene:
Sleep and I shall soothe you, calm you and anoint you
Myrrh for your hot forehead oh then you’ll feel
Everything’s alright yes everything’s fine
And it’s cool and the ointment sweet
For the fire in your head and feet
Close your eyes close your eyes
And relax think of nothing tonight

Apostles’ Women:
Everything’s alright yes everything’s alright yes

Judas:
Woman your fine ointment — brand new and expensive
Could have been saved for the poor
Why has it been wasted? We could have raised maybe
Three hundred silver pieces or more
People who are hungry, people who are starving
Matter more than your feet and hair

Mary Magdalene:
Try not to get worried, try not to turn on to
Problems that upset you oh don’t you know
Everything’s alright yes everything’s fine
And we want you to sleep well tonight
Let the world turn without you tonight
If we try we’ll get by so forget all about us tonight

Apostles’ Women:
Everything’s alright yes everything’s alright yes

Jesus:
Surely you’re not saying we have the resources
To save the poor from their lot?
There will be poor always, pathetically struggling –
Look at the good things you’ve got!
Think! while you still have me
Move! while you still see me
You’ll be lost and you’ll be so sorry when I’m gone

Mary Magdalene:
Sleep and I shall soothe you, calm you and anoint you
Myrrh for your hot forehead oh then you’ll feel
Everything’s alright yes everything’s fine
And it’s cool and the ointment sweet
For the fire in your head and feet
Close your eyes close your eyes
And relax think of nothing tonight
Close your eyes, close your eyes and relax

All:
Everything’s alright yes everything’s alright yes

[lynnertic]

1. shameless self-kick n/t

[Annces]

2. Here is to the vets

I hope they can reach down to find their center.

[merh]

10. The youtube link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkje4FiH9Qc

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Glad to kick and recommend! n/t

[Hekate]

4. Rec #5. The lyrics as you frame them made me tear up

:grouphug:

[lynnertic]

8. Thanks.

:grouphug:

The damned song has been in my head since last week!

It's a nice song, if you have to have one stuck in your head...

[Gregorian]

5. One of the small things that is very very big.

Just another thing to add to the list of horrors of war. And I thank you for even bringing it to our attention.

I have been so frustrated over things in recent years that I have begun to have trouble sleeping. It's devastating. It's one of the things people take for granted, until it's gone.

I replied to the original thread that he may find help on this forum. Perhaps in an unexpected way. This post is what might be one of those ways.

[lynnertic]

7. Thank you very much.

I really appreciate your kind words and good wishes.

Your hopes are mine too, and may you sleep well tonight, my friend.

[Why Syzygy]

6. k&r

[UrbScotty]

9. Kick - too late to rec (nt)