Song for Day 46 - "I Believe in You" by Bob Dylan, sung by Alison Krauss

Fiddler and Singer Alison Krauss.

Day 46 - "I Believe in You" by Bob Dylan, sung by Alison Krauss

     I have to confess that Alison Krauss chanting the phone book would sound good to me.  Hell, I'd rather listen to Alison Kraus gargling than Ted Nugent "singing".  Even with that, her cover of Bob Dylan's "I Believe in You" is downright transcendental.  Not for naught has she been awarded more Grammies than any other singer.  There are far worse ways to spend an afternoon than browsing her performances on YouTube.

     The song was written during Dylan's brief conversion, as experienced in his "Slow Train Coming"  (1979, also featuring "Gotta Serve Somebody")  and "Saved" (1980) albums.

   All of us know how difficult it can be to talk with deeply religious folks, especially about political matters.  Why not get professionals to negotiate this minefield?

Songwriter Bob Dylan.

     Even within red states, we have done well with other religions and with congregations of color.  In 2016 Catholic Republican voters outnumbered Democratic ones 52-45 but in the five elections before that Catholics  have been supportive, thanks in part due to VP Joe Biden and the new Pope, Francis.  The problem has come in WASP communities.  If we are going to make a 50-state strategy work we'll need to go "into the dragon's den", supporting liberal clergy both financially and in building public profiles.  This provides the biggest bang for the buck, if only because, by definition, these advocates/candidates already know how to speak and deal with the public.

     In addition to the original studio version, there are a number of fine performances of "I Believe in You" online, including Bob Dylan's live, 1980 performance and, of course, Sinéad O'Connor's unique rendition.  It always comes back to Alison's, though:

Lyrics:

They ask me how I feel
And if my love is real
And how I know I'll make it through
And they, they look at me and frown
They'd like to drive me from this town
They don't want me around
'Cause I believe in you

They show me to the door
They say don't come back no more
'Cause I don't be like they'd like me to
And I, I walk out on my own
A thousand miles from home
But I don't feel alone
'Cause I believe in you

I believe in you even through the tears and the laughter
I believe in you even though we be apart
I believe in you even on the morning after
Oh, when the dawn is nearing
Oh, when the night is disappearing
Oh, this feeling is still here in my heart

Don't let me drift too far
Keep me where you are
Where I will always be renewed
And that which you've given me today
Is worth more than I could pay
And no matter what they say
I believe in you

I believe in you when wintertime turns to summer
I believe in you when white turn to black
I believe in you even though I be outnumbered
Oh, though the earth may shake me
Oh, though my friends forsake me
Oh, even that couldn't make me go back

Don't let me change my heart
Keep me set apart
From all the plans they do pursue
And I, I don't mind the pain
Don't mind the driving rain
I know I will sustain
'Cause I believe in you

Song for Day 7 of a 4 Year Funeral

Day 7 - "Black Boys on Mopeds" by Sinéad O'Connor

     The death of 21 year old Colin Roach  in 1983 sparked outrage and an inquiry in Britain, remaining a cause célèbre for years afterwards.  In March, 1990, Sinéad O'Connor's second album "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got"  was released, including "Black Boys on Mopeds", the equally haunting "Three Babies", and the hits "Nothing Compares 2 U" and "Feel So Different".

     One of many turning points in 2016 was the confrontation between the eventual Democratic nominee and Black Lives Matter advocate, Ashley Williams  in Charleston, South Carolina on 2016-02-24.

Lyrics:

Margareth Thatcher on TV
Shocked by the deaths that took place in Beijing
It seems strange that she should be offended
The same orders are given by her
I've said this before now
You said I was childish and you'll say it now
Remember what I told you
If they hated me they will hate you
England's not the mythical land of Madame George and roses
It's the home of police who kill black boys on mopeds
And I love my boy and that's why I'm leaving
I don't want him to be aware that there's
Any such thing as grieving
Young mother down at Smithfield
Five a.m., looking for food for her kids
In her arms she holds three cold babies
And the first word that they learned was please
These are dangerous days
To say…

Links:

Day 1 (The Inauguration) - "Hands" - Jewel

Day 2 (The Million Woman March) - "Testimony" by Ferron, sung by Marcelle Davies Lashley

Day 3 - "Ruins" - by Cat Stevens
 
Day 4 - "Eve of Destruction" (1964) - by P. F. Sloan performed by Barry McGuire

Day 5 - "Hypersensive Jester" - by Denny Guy

Day 6 - "Teresa" - by John Stewart

Day 7 - "Black Boys on Mopeds" by Sinéad O'Connor

Day 8 - "Burn, Baby, Burn" - by Bruce Cockburn

Day 9 - "Black Day in July" - by Gordon Lightfoot

Day 10 - "Democracy is Coming" - Leonard Cohen