Imagine -- nominated theme song

[Rich White]

During our annual meeting, the Library Display Project was collecting songs that embody the Beyond War principles. During our visioning exercise, John Lennon's "Imagine" was suggested. On the face of it, a great idea, but take a listen to the lyrics and tell me if it doesn't in fact conflict directly with our vision. Imagine that :)

[Melissa Ruhl]

hey rich, thanks for the post! i realized i hadn't really listened to the lyrics other than the most well known. i'm wondering what exactly you find objectionable. thanks!

Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

[Rich White]

It's not that I find it objectionable, but I think it falls short. In particular, it doesn't think ahead any farther than today.
At the annual meeting, we were doing a vision exercise which seemed to be much broader than just the absence of violence. Although there wasn't broad consensus on these components, the idea of sustainability or stewardship over many generations was represented, as well as the list of basic human needs of food, shelter, clothing, clean water, healthcare, (and one I can't remember). If all the world had these things, it seemed, there would be less to fight about.
So, with that frame, I felt "Imagine" might be too simplistic. I think maybe my original post was worded too strongly.

[Aaron Nakano]

I agree with Rich, the song itself is very good but it doesn't quite fulfill the entirety of the organization. I personally feel like we should look toward our own members to write a song that that would more fully fit the goals

[Leonora]

Aaron,
I like your idea of our song emerging from the ranks....know anyone who might be up for it?

[Daniel McKay]

Leonora,
I am friends with some "new folk"-ish muscians who might be interested in recording a song, I will ask them when I see them likely this weekend. I don't know if they will write the song or not, but I think one of us could donate some creativity :)

[Aaron Nakano]

Possibly a donation of some sort of beyond war poetry, from a member might be enough to integrate to music for the project?

[Noah]

In my opinion, I think that the song "Bomb The World" by Micheal Franti and Spearhead would be a great song which embodies the Beyond War principles, what do you think?


Please tell me the reason
behind the colors that you fly
love just one nation
and the whole world we divide
you say you’re “sorry”
say, “there is no other choice”
but god bless the people them
who cannot raise their voice

(chorus)
we can chase down all our enemies
bring them to their knees
we can bomb the world to pieces
but we can’t bomb it into peace
whoa we may even find a solution
to hunger and disease
we can bomb the world to pieces
but we can’t bomb it into peace

violence brings one thing
more more of the same
military madness
the smell of flesh and burning pain
so I sing out to the masses
stand up if you’re still sane!
To all of us gone crazy
I sing this one refrain

(chorus)

and I sing power to the peaceful
love to the people y’all
power to the peaceful
love to the people y’all

[David Scholten]

Love this song. Seems to me it was written for Beyond War. thanks for introducing it me!