Listening to some classic country this afternoon. Merle wrote and recorded this song the year after I graduated from college in 1981. Even then, it resonated with me, as the world I was facing as a newly minted college grad was already significantly different from my childhood in the '60s.
Haggard is optimistic in the final chorus, believing that things were going to get better, not worse. He passed away in early 2016 - late enough to realize that the good times were, indeed, over for good.
I wish a buck was still silver
It was back when the country was strong
Back before Elvis, before Vietnam war came along
Before the Beatles and yesterday
When a man could still work and still would
Is the best of the free life behind us now
And are the good times really over for good?
And are we rolling downhill like a snowball headed for hell
With no kinda chance for the flag or the liberty bell?
Wish a Ford and a Chevy
Would still last ten years like they should
Is the best of the free life behind us now
And are the good times really over for good?
I wish coke was still cola
And a joint was a bad place to be
It was back before Nixon lied to us all on T.V.
Before microwave ovens when a girl could still cook, and still would
Is the best of the free life behind us now
Are the good times really over for good?
Stop rolling downhill like a snowball headed for hell
Stand up for the flag and let's all ring the liberty bell
Let's make a Ford and a Chevy
That would still last ten years like they should
'Cause the best of the free life is still yet to come
And the good times ain't over for good
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Saturday, March 23, 2019
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Mashed Classics
If you haven't seen this yet, you really, really want to take a look. It's absolutely brilliant.
While it starts out fairly simply, with just two composers, by the time you reach the end, there are four different lines, two treble and two bass, representing four different composers. The changes of keys and time signatures is staggering, yet the whole piece flows as if it were purposely written by a single composer.
While it starts out fairly simply, with just two composers, by the time you reach the end, there are four different lines, two treble and two bass, representing four different composers. The changes of keys and time signatures is staggering, yet the whole piece flows as if it were purposely written by a single composer.
Friday, April 26, 2013
A little bit Country
In spite of the fact that I was a kid when the British groups invaded America in the early to mid sixties, one of the first musical styles I was aware of was country. My dad was a short haul trucker, and country seemed to be his music of choice.
Back then, country was country, not pop music sung with a southern accent. Musicians could be instantly identified by unique voices and distinctive playing styles. The lyrics were both easy to hear and easy to identify with. Home, God and Country were major themes.
Traditional country music lost a legend today. George Jones has passed away.
In spite of a history of alcohol and drug abuse, a string of marriages and a life of trouble, he leaves an incredible legacy spanning fifty years of hits. One of my favorites is the haunting Grammy winning "Choices" from 1999.
We'll miss you, Possum.
Back then, country was country, not pop music sung with a southern accent. Musicians could be instantly identified by unique voices and distinctive playing styles. The lyrics were both easy to hear and easy to identify with. Home, God and Country were major themes.
Traditional country music lost a legend today. George Jones has passed away.
In spite of a history of alcohol and drug abuse, a string of marriages and a life of trouble, he leaves an incredible legacy spanning fifty years of hits. One of my favorites is the haunting Grammy winning "Choices" from 1999.
We'll miss you, Possum.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Sunday serendipity
Last week, one of the freebies was a biography of Johann Sebastian Bach by Rick Marschall that is part of the Christian Encounters series. The biographies in the series place their emphasis on the spiritual lives of the subjects, with special attention to how their faith informed their lives and art.
It made sense to me as I started to read the book this morning to cue up some of the Bach on the ipod. Bypassing the Brandenburg concertos, I settled on the Weihnachts Oratorium.
It's close enough to start playing Christmas music, right?
In the introduction, the author talks about his own introduction to Baroque music, and his mother's urging that he not only listen to the music, but follow along with a translation of the words.
Naturally, through the wonder of the internet, it's a matter of seconds to find an interlinear translation.
The music alone is transcendent, glorious, even without knowing the sense of what is being sung. But viewing the translation - understanding more of the heart of what Bach was conveying - lifts the listening experience out of the mortal realm into the spiritual, which is exactly what Bach intended.
Not exactly how I meant to spend this time, but more than worthwhile.
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Judgment day
Woke up this morning to the newest single released from Third Day's CD Move. One of the things I most appreciate about their music is the solid theology of their lyrics, while the music is straight-out southern rock.
Trust in Jesus
One of these days we all will stand in judgment for
Every single word that we have spoken
One of these days we all will stand before the Lord
Give a reason for everything we've done
And what I've done is
Chorus:
Trust in Jesus
My great Deliverer
My strong Defender
The Son of God
I trust in Jesus
Blessed Redeemer
My Lord forever
The Holy One, the Holy One
What are you going to do when your time has come
And your life is done and there's nothing you can stand on
What will you have to say at the judgment throne
I already know the only thing that I can say I
Repeat chorus
There's nothing I can do on my own to find forgiveness
It's by His grace alone I trust in Jesus
Trust in Jesus
One of these days we all will stand in judgment for
Every single word that we have spoken
One of these days we all will stand before the Lord
Trust in Jesus
One of these days we all will stand in judgment for
Every single word that we have spoken
One of these days we all will stand before the Lord
Give a reason for everything we've done
And what I've done is
Chorus:
Trust in Jesus
My great Deliverer
My strong Defender
The Son of God
I trust in Jesus
Blessed Redeemer
My Lord forever
The Holy One, the Holy One
What are you going to do when your time has come
And your life is done and there's nothing you can stand on
What will you have to say at the judgment throne
I already know the only thing that I can say I
Repeat chorus
There's nothing I can do on my own to find forgiveness
It's by His grace alone I trust in Jesus
Trust in Jesus
One of these days we all will stand in judgment for
Every single word that we have spoken
One of these days we all will stand before the Lord
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Pull up a hay bale
The Farm Aid concert is making its way to Milwaukee in October, playing at Miller Park.
After all, it's not as if the Brewers will need the stadium in October. ::rimshot::
In spite of California's claims, Wisconsin will always be America's Dairyland (so say our license plates). One of my college roommates grew up on a dairy farm; her wedding was held in the early evening, followed immediately by the dinner and reception in part so her dad could get the morning milking done and get cleaned up himself in time to walk her down the aisle. The concert will help to tell "the story of Wisconsin farm families to a national audience", or so they say.
Considering the talent lineup, the tickets are reasonable. For those of you flinching at parking prices (and those would be native Milwaukeans, who are naturally thrifty - the parking looks cheap to our favorite Illinois brethren), you may want to call the bars near the stadium; they run shuttle buses to Brewer games, and if they are smart, they will do the same for the concert.
If nothing else, come park at my house and I'll show you which bus to take.
After all, it's not as if the Brewers will need the stadium in October. ::rimshot::
In spite of California's claims, Wisconsin will always be America's Dairyland (so say our license plates). One of my college roommates grew up on a dairy farm; her wedding was held in the early evening, followed immediately by the dinner and reception in part so her dad could get the morning milking done and get cleaned up himself in time to walk her down the aisle. The concert will help to tell "the story of Wisconsin farm families to a national audience", or so they say.
Considering the talent lineup, the tickets are reasonable. For those of you flinching at parking prices (and those would be native Milwaukeans, who are naturally thrifty - the parking looks cheap to our favorite Illinois brethren), you may want to call the bars near the stadium; they run shuttle buses to Brewer games, and if they are smart, they will do the same for the concert.
If nothing else, come park at my house and I'll show you which bus to take.
Still tired
Who knew having fun could be so exhausting? Truthfully, it wasn't so much the fun itself that was tiring, but the really short amount of sleep after having the fun that wore me out.
Late Monday afternoon I wandered around the State Fair for a few hours, gawking at people (honestly, folks, do you even think before you leave the house dressed like that?!), listening to a great blues band and a (different) really, really lousy singer (he had a voice that made me think he began his career as an Elvis impersonator...if he had left the "stylings" out of his "vocal stylings" he would have been much better (and maybe on pitch)) and looking through the Wisconsin Products building (Cheese!! Nuts!! Chocolate!! Cream Puffs!! (I had an eclair instead - so sue me)). Sights, sounds, tastes - the complete fair experience.
A friend and I met up later to go to the long-awaited Third Day concert.
Blown away.
Truly, that's about the best description I can come up with. The excellent seats - we were six feet from the stage, close enough to make easy eye contact with the entire band (freaked me out a bit at first) - helped, but the music and the message made the night. Their sound is solidly Southern Rock, but the songs are centered on faith, from incredible praise anthems to aching cries for help from the only One who is able to turn night to day.
The opening act, Chad James, put on a great show as well. During the concert he announced he's stepping back from the music business for a bit, to focus on family and local ministry (and he is actually local to us - from a town about forty minutes away). Where else but a Christian concert could a band make an announcement like that and be cheered, rather than booed?
Apparently, a lot of people I knew were also at the concert, but where, I have no idea. Next time, we need to turn ourselves into a group and bulk purchase tickets.
By the time the concert was over (total time: three hours) and I finally got home, it was almost midnight. Still wired (heh - that just happens to be the name of one of Third Day's CDs) from the evening, it was almost twelve-thirty before I went ot bed.
I get up at quarter to five, and need to get to work before six-thirty. Yep, still tired.
Late Monday afternoon I wandered around the State Fair for a few hours, gawking at people (honestly, folks, do you even think before you leave the house dressed like that?!), listening to a great blues band and a (different) really, really lousy singer (he had a voice that made me think he began his career as an Elvis impersonator...if he had left the "stylings" out of his "vocal stylings" he would have been much better (and maybe on pitch)) and looking through the Wisconsin Products building (Cheese!! Nuts!! Chocolate!! Cream Puffs!! (I had an eclair instead - so sue me)). Sights, sounds, tastes - the complete fair experience.
A friend and I met up later to go to the long-awaited Third Day concert.
Blown away.
Truly, that's about the best description I can come up with. The excellent seats - we were six feet from the stage, close enough to make easy eye contact with the entire band (freaked me out a bit at first) - helped, but the music and the message made the night. Their sound is solidly Southern Rock, but the songs are centered on faith, from incredible praise anthems to aching cries for help from the only One who is able to turn night to day.
The opening act, Chad James, put on a great show as well. During the concert he announced he's stepping back from the music business for a bit, to focus on family and local ministry (and he is actually local to us - from a town about forty minutes away). Where else but a Christian concert could a band make an announcement like that and be cheered, rather than booed?
Apparently, a lot of people I knew were also at the concert, but where, I have no idea. Next time, we need to turn ourselves into a group and bulk purchase tickets.
By the time the concert was over (total time: three hours) and I finally got home, it was almost midnight. Still wired (heh - that just happens to be the name of one of Third Day's CDs) from the evening, it was almost twelve-thirty before I went ot bed.
I get up at quarter to five, and need to get to work before six-thirty. Yep, still tired.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Blown away
Er, I don't get out much. Rather, the last nine or ten concerts I've attended have been symphonic rather than rock/contemporary worship in nature. Those left me decidedly unprepared for the Casting Crowns concert last night...
Three hours of almost non-stop music. Part concert, part worship service, part sermon. Five thousand people, hands raised in praise, hearts and voices raised in worship. Dancing in the aisles? Not sure, but certainly dancing in the pews. Award-winning tracks, plus new ones from the CD out next month.
Through it all, focus not on the bands, not on satisfying the crowd, but on glorifying God, not only in the moment, but in all the moments afterwards.
Blown away.
Three hours of almost non-stop music. Part concert, part worship service, part sermon. Five thousand people, hands raised in praise, hearts and voices raised in worship. Dancing in the aisles? Not sure, but certainly dancing in the pews. Award-winning tracks, plus new ones from the CD out next month.
Through it all, focus not on the bands, not on satisfying the crowd, but on glorifying God, not only in the moment, but in all the moments afterwards.
Blown away.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
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