Tag: coronavirus

We sang, “Silent Night” All Day Long

Listen to John Prine’s “Silent Night, All Day Long” as we reflect back on a difficult year with guarded hope for the coming year.

John Prine Christmas

The world faced numerous losses this year. Although it is part of the human condition that we lose loved ones every year, this year was collectively difficult as we were struck by a pandemic that was not even on many of our minds one year ago today. As we watched the numbers climb on our television screens, we could lose track of the incalculable individual personal tragedies, largely because taking it all in would be too much to bear. The affected people we knew brought the impact home. And people in the spotlight killed by Covid, like Charley Pride, might bring together a divided country in unified grieving, if only for a moment.

One of the earlier deaths of a national figure occurred in April, when singer-songwriter John Prine passed away from complications related to Covid-19. From his lyrics and his warmth, many of us felt a special personal connection to Prine, even if we had only heard his music and seen him on stage.

And so it seems appropriate that for this Christmas, we remember those we lost and reflect on the coming year with one of Prine’s perfect Christmas songs from his 1993 album A John Prine Christmas, “Silent Night All Day Long.”

We held hands and stared at the lights on the tree,
As if Christmas was invented for you and for me;
When the angel on the treetop requested a song,
We sang, “Silent Night” all day long.

Even as we are reminded, through memories of a year ago, that we can never know what tragedies and joys await us in the new year, we look forward to this coming year with guarded hope. As we persist through this winter, we pray for the changes from the new vaccines, new leadership, and the coming seasons.

And most of all we keep our faith that, as in the images of love in John Prine’s song, somehow we will get through it all together.

Peace to you this holiday season.

Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    John Mellencamp Covers “Welcome to Struggleville” (Pandemic Songs)

    John Mellencamp gives his fans a cover of a song “fitting for these times.”

    John Mellencamp recently posted on his Facebook page his cover of a Vigilantes of Love song “Welcome to Struggleville.” The singer-songwriter offered a brief explanation: “John played this song because he thought it was fitting for these times.”

    Through the 1990s into the early 2000s, Vigilantes of Love was fronted by Bill Mallonee. Although Mallonee never received the fame he deserved, it is cool that Mellencamp recognizes the talent.

    And Mellencamp is also correct about how the song fits our times. Although the Vigilantes of Love version of “Welcome to Struggleville” is a rock song, Mellencamp slows things down, making it into a folk song that is almost a dirge. The song paints haunting images, including Biblical characters. And it ends with a dark warning.

    They are building a new gallows
    For when you show up on the street.
    Polishing the electric chair,
    They’re gonna give you a front row seat.
    Heard a sneer outside the garden;
    Salutation so well-heeled:     . . . .
    ‘Welcome all you suckers to Struggleville. ‘

    Check out John Mellencamp’s version of “Welcome to Struggleville.”

    Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Some Live Sturgill Simpson Bluegrass for Charity

    Sturgill Simpson Ryman

    Sturgill Simpson provided us with a musical treat during the coronavirus pandemic. To raise money for charity, Simpson and his band gave us some bluegrass performed live at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Due to the pandemic, there was no audience beyond those watching online.

    In the video that was live-streamed on June 5, 2010, Simpson explains how the one-night show was the result of an Instagram joke. His posts about “Dick Daddy Survival School” developed into an effort to raise money for charity. Thus, his fundraising efforts benefit the Special Forces Foundation, the Equity Alliance, and the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.

    So, sit back and relax and enjoy some wonderful bluegrass versions of some Sturgill Simpson songs like “Long White Line.” Check it out.

    Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Everyone Needs a Little Extra “Love And Mercy” Now

    Love & Mercy Wilson

    All of us know people who are hurting during the current coronavirus pandemic. In addition to those suffering physically, many are in pain emotionally. I feel fortunate in that I may imagine many times in my life where the pandemic would have been much more difficult for me. But I know that others are now experiencing those worst of times. Health care workers, grocery employees, and other essential workers who are helping us all need help too. And many are lonely and scared, with the social isolation causing more pain. Everyone is suffering to varying degrees, so we all need a little of the love and mercy that Brian Wilson sang about in the song with that title.

    “Love And Mercy” originally appeared on Brian Wilson’s debut 1988 self-titled solo album following his success with The Beach Boys. Although the song was released as part of a double-sided single, it failed to find any chart success. But the song has endured and is more timely than ever.

    I was lyin’ in my room and the news came on T.V.
    A lotta people out there hurtin’ and it really scares me.

    Love and mercy that’s what you need tonight;
    So, love and mercy to you and your friends tonight.

    In the liner notes for the song, Wilson concludes that the song is “probably the most spiritual song” he has ever written. He explains the difference between the two terms in the title: “I would think love is a gentle thing and mercy would be more desperate, ultimately more desperately needed, thing in life. Mercy–a little break here and there for somebody who’s having trouble.”

    Below is Brian Wilson’s official video for “Love And Mercy.”

    This week I rediscovered the song while re-watching the 2014 movie Love & Mercy. I had seen the movie featuring Paul Dano and John Cusack as different era Brians in the theater when it was released. In parallels, the movie shows the young Brian Wilson facing mental issues during the creation of the Pet Sounds album, contrasting that story with the older Brian Wilson escaping an abusive relationship with a “doctor.”

    I equally enjoyed the movie the second time. And this time around, I found a connection to what is going on the world and the video that appears over the end credits showing the real Brian Wilson singing his song “Love And Mercy.”

    Not surprisingly, after I started writing this post about how “Love And Mercy” is a wonderful song for our current times, I discovered that someone else had the same idea. Brian Wilson recently posted a video of him singing “Love and Mercy” from his home (along with “Do It Again”).

    Wilson recorded the at-home video for Rolling Stone magazine’s In My Room series. Check it out below.

    Love and mercy to you and your friends tonight.

    Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    • ( Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

    John Fogerty and Family Gift Us “Green River” from the Campfire

    As people are locked down at home during the coronavirus pandemic, John Fogerty has joined other artists sending us gifts through video. Most recently, he gave us a video of the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic “Green River.”

    The video features Fogerty with his children Shane, Tyler and Kelsey around the campfire, apparently from Fogerty’s Ventura, California home. With Fogerty’s great voice, one cannot get much better than this one. In addition to the campfire, there are marshmallows and a stuffed Winnie the Pooh.

    Fogerty begins the video with an explanation of how he got the title “Green River.” A drink inspired the song. Check out the pandemic video of the day.

    Leave your two cents in the comments.

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