I finally got Sarah to join me for an Alarm concert on Sep 15. It was not too far down the road in Londonderry, NH at the Tupulo Music Hall. What a great show! We were in the third row and Sarah enjoyed the show!
Here are some videos from the concert.
Could be the middle of night...or in the middle of the street
It could be uptown, downtown...or even where you sleep
I hear the marching drum... I hear a song unsung
It could be your dream, my dream...I'm not the only one
'Cause I’m a soldier marching in an army
I got no gun to shoot all I've got is ONE GUITAR
I see the risin’ smoke...I hear a heartbreak joke
All of my brothers and sisters... I think it’s time we spoke
I’ve only got six strings... but like a bell they ring
It’s like a jet plane, insane... crashin’ in my brain
'Cause I’m a soldier marching in an army
I got no gun to shoot all I've got is ONE GUITAR
So if you get knocked down... you gotta take a stand
For all the outcast, dead last... who need a helping hand
You've got to raise your voice... raise it up loud
You've got to raise your... above the crowd
'Cause I’m a soldier marching in an army
I got no gun to shoot all I've got is ONE GUITAR
A guy named Greg has his dreams come true!
Walk forever by my side
Never lose sight of the day
When we will run through all our weakness
On through the fields
Strewn with our broken dreams
Walk forever by my side
Stay forever in the light
Never lose sight of the way
For I alone can’t face the future
I need your strength
To help me make it through
Walk forever by my side
Stay forever in the light
Walk on ’til morning
All my days are yours
Walk on ’til morning
All my days are yours
Hope you’ll stay with me tonight
Lift the veil from my eyes
For I am weak and I am foolish
I need your love
To see me through the darkness
Hope you’ll stay with me tonight
Walk on ’till morning
All my days are yours
Walk on ’till morning
All my days are yours
One Guitar is one of the jewels on The Alarm's new cd Direct Action.
One Guitar
Could be the middle of night...or in the middle of the street
It could be uptown, downtown...or even where you sleep
I hear the marching drum... I hear a song unsung
It could be your dream, my dream...I'm not the only one
'Cause I’m a soldier marching in an army
I got no gun to shoot all I've got is ONE GUITAR
I see the risin’ smoke...I hear a heartbreak joke
All of my brothers and sisters... I think it’s time we spoke
I’ve only got six strings... but like a bell they ring
It’s like a jet plane, insane... crashin’ in my brain
'Cause I’m a soldier marching in an army
I got no gun to shoot all I've got is ONE GUITAR
So if you get knocked down... you gotta take a stand
For all the outcast, dead last... who need a helping hand
You've got to raise your voice... raise it up loud
You've got to raise your... above the crowd
'Cause I’m a soldier marching in an army
I got no gun to shoot all I've got is ONE GUITAR
Written by Willie Nile / Frankie Lee
The song is actually a Willie Nile song. Here is a video from the January 20, 2010, Light Of Day 10 Parkinson's disease fundraiser at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, NJ. You can see Bruce Springteen in the photos.
Here Willie Nile joins The Alarm at The Brook in Southampton, on 23rd April 2010
and Willie Nile solo explaining how Mike Peters approached him to record the song.
The song sort of reminds me of The Killers song "All These Things That I've Done."
I am back to listening to a lot of music from The Alarm this past week. It didn't arrive in time for Christmas, so my wife gave me the package of all four winter releases for my birthday (didn't receive the Christmas-or birthday card-though). I always have appreciated the music of Mike Peters and The Alarm (bought the original EP the first day it was released in America). Mike is such a nice guy (sort of like the Captain Kangaroo of Rock music)! I am sure I am the first to make that comparison, but he just makes you feel comfortable, like the Captain did (although I don't think the Captain could rock!). His lyrics are filled with hope, optimism, fight, and faith. One song that I have been reacquainted with on the new cds is called "My Town". It has a great sound and punctuates the atmosphere of a post 9/11 world. I just personally hate one line, "Not even Jesus Christ could separate the sinners from believers." I know Mike is trying to prove a point here about people, but he misses the point from scriptures that Jesus is the Good Shepard that know his sheep: "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep." John 10:14-15. I don't appreciate that these lyrics strip Jesus of his power to know "who" belongs to him and who doesn't and this song always makes me feel uncomfortable (would the Captain ever do that?). We may not, as humans, be able to judge people accurately as this song suggests, but I think it is misguided to think that, even in a song, Jesus is as powerless as us. If I was writing the song, I think it would pack just as much punch to say, "That only Jesus Christ could separate the sinners from believers. It goes against my core beliefs, but otherwise it is a great song. Sorry Mike!
Here it comes the reaping of the whirlwind that was promised us
And all the streets are littered with the tension and the pressure
A culture spreads it's needles ‘round like flowers in the garden
The only thing that comes for free is the air we need to breathe
This is where I come from
This is my town
When I last looked everything was black and white but now it's grey
Not even Jesus Christ could separate the sinners from believers
Backpack bombs and cups of tea lying on the kitchen table
The only thing that I believe I'm fighting fit and able
This is where I come from
This is my town
Turn off the lights listen to the city by the river
Turn off the power listen to the pulse of your heart beating
Turn off the sound listen to the blood running through your veins
Turn off the voice that says that all of this has not been worth it
I can't take back the bullets fired in the name of God
Two wrongs don't make it right
Two rights don't make it wrong
This is where I come from
This is my town
Was it really 25 years ago that The Alarm punched out the Declaration album. It is still one of my favorite albums and The Alarm in the newer form still are my favorite band. Twenty-five years! That is half of my life. I remember buying this at a record shop in Brockton, Massachusetts the first day it was released. I could find a lot of their EPs and other singles at that store. I am not sure I was in sync with the band's hairdos but the music was thrilling and to this day I can say that these are some great songs that have held up real well over the years. Songs like Sixty Eight Guns, Marching On, Where Were You Hiding When the Storm Broke, We Are the Light, Shout to the Devil, Howling Wind, and Blaze of Glory are all classic Alarm songs. Take a look at the songs on the album.
Declaration Marching On Where Were You Hiding When the Storm Broke? Third Light Sixty Eight Guns We Are the Light Shout to the Devil Blaze of Glory Tell Me The Deceiver The Stand (Prophecy) Howling Wind
Here is a great and energetic video of Declaration and Marching On performed live by The Alarm.
Declaration
...We're the young who stand up We must never be silenced We've gotta speak up now For all our sakes And lift our voices higher `Let's sing our song Keep on marching marching And never forget About the power on the right side Fights the power on the left We have got to stand together Forget the east and west 'Cause there's another voice crying in the ghetto Another mouth to feed Another heart beating in the ghetto Another soul to set free
(And we'll go) MARCHING ON Hear our sound hear our voice We're growing stronger (And we'll go) MARCHING ON We're not alone and we're keeping on, we're going MARCHING ON '''
Here is the classic video of Sixty Eight Guns.
Every alarm concert should end with Blaze of Glory
Even Bono sings along (wasn't this song written about U2?)
Blaze of Glory
It's funny how they shoot you down When your hands are held up high And you open up your heart and soul But that's not enough for most.
I remember this much There is nothing You shouldn't speak of If you got something to say And there is no one To be scared of Just get them out of the way
GOING OUT IN A BLAZE OF GLORY My heart is open wide You can take anything that you want from me there is nothing left to hide
GOING OUT IN A BLAZE OF GLORY my hands are held up high I'm learning how to hit back I'm learning how to fight
The law of the jungle says You look after yourself But I remember this much I love as I've been loved myself.
Don't forget what I told you now When the question keeps on coming And it's "How much more can you take" When they've ripped your clothes to pieces "Shouldn't you be gone by now"
But you keep on GOING OUT IN A BLAZE OF GLORY Setting your sights for the sky. They can offer you anything at all But your dreams must not be sold. GOING OUT IN A BLAZE OF GLORY No price is high enough I'm fighting back with feeling I'm fighting back with love
When the nails are biting into your hands And the cross is heavy on your heart Now is the time to really make a stand MY HANDS ARE HELD UP HIGH.
(Going out) IN A BLZE OF GLORY (Going out) IN A BLAZE OF GLORY (Going out) IN A BLAZE OF GLORY
GOING OUT IN A BLAZE OF GLORY My heart is open wide You can take anything that you want from me But you cannot take my soul
GOING OUT IN A BLAZE OF GLORY My hands are held up high I'm learning how to hit back Yes I'm learning how to fight
GOING OUT IN A BLAZE OF GLORY Going out with my heart wide open Going out with my hands held high
GOING OUT IN A BLAZE OF GLORY (repeat)
Fighting back with love Fighting back with LOVE! No price is high enough To take my soul, to take my soul To take my soul
It's funny how they shoot you down when your hands are held up high
(Keep on going with my hands held high)
Here is a 1986 video of Howling Wind:
Howling Wind
Love on this wasteland holds no dominion I refuse to lay me down On the grapevine comes the saying "Son, you'll reap whatever you sow" I sow the seeds of my love Deep undying true love I sow
There is beauty out there somewhere I will leave no stone unturned There's a guitar and a bugle I hear the sound of distant drums Fire and water rage through my mind (Love on) Love on this wasteland I cannot find
And there is a HOWL HOWL HOWLING WIND A ringing around my ears And a wild wild wind is a blowing Tearing down my tears
There is virtue truth abounding Peace will come to everyman And there's a landmark on the skyline There is a sign standing in the road Sail on my brother Sail on through the night (Love on) Love on this wasteland is waiting on down the line
And there is a HOWL HOWL HOWLING WIND A ringing around my ears And a wild wild wind is a blowing Tearing down my tears
Forty days in the desert sand Forty nights on my hands and knees Forty days in the howling wind In the howling wind
Love on this wasteland holds no dominion I refuse to lay me down On the grapevine comes the saying "Son, you'll reap whatever you sow" I sow the seeds of my love, my love Deep undying true love's what I sow
There's a HOWL HOWL HOWLING WIND A ringing around my ears And a wild wild wind is a blowing Tearing down my tears
And there's a HOWL HOWL HOWLING WIND A ringing around my ears And there's a wild wild wind is a blowing Tearing down my tears
Great stiff indeed even after one-fourth of a century!
I was visiting the "A Purple State of Mind" website to find information about this film about two ex-college roommates reuniting 25 years later to discuss issues and friendship. While in college one was entering into a life of faith and one was just leaving it behind. Craig Detweiler is now a filmmaker and professor at Fuller Theological Seminary and John Marks is now a journalist, author and former 60 Minutes producer. The film and friendship sounds interesting and although I haven't seen the movie, I would like to view it.
In John's blog I came across an interview he had with Steven King. I am not a Steven King fan but I did read "The Stand" and this interview "Steven King's God Trip" sounded interesting. So I read the article and listened to the audio interview. Now it has been over 20 years since I have read the book, but I remember bits of its apocalyptic nature with the plague and also the elements of faith. Here is a snippet of the interview between John Marks and Steven King:
In the introduction to the expanded edition of "The Stand," you also called the novel a work of "dark Christianity." What did you mean by that?
I was raised Christian, and I was raised to believe in the idea of the Antichrist. My wife said that -- she was raised a Catholic -- the attitude of the Catholic Church is, give them to me when they're young, and they'll be mine forever. It isn't really true. A lot of us grow up and we grow out of the literal interpretation that we get when we're children, but we bear the scars all our life. Whether they're scars of beauty or scars of ugliness, it's pretty much in the eye of the beholder. I'm interested in the concepts. I'm particularly interested in the idea that in the New Testament, you're suggesting a moral code that's actually enlightened. Basically what Christ preached: get along with your neighbor and give everything away and follow me. So we're talking pretty much about communism or socialism, all the things that the good Christian Republicans in the House of Representatives today are railing about in light of this bailout bill. Of course, Christ never preached give away everything to Wall Street, so they might have a point.
I was able to use all those things in "The Stand." It's an effort to say, let's give God his due here. Too often, in novels that are speculative, God is a kind of kryptonite, and that's about all that it is, and it goes back to Dracula, where someone dumps a crucifix in Count Dracula's face, and he pulls away and runs back into his house. That's not religion. That's some kind of juju, like a talisman. I wanted to do more than that. I wanted to explore what that means to be able to rise above adversity by faith, because it's something most of us do every day. We may not call it Christianity. I wanted to do that. I wanted it to be a God trip.
It has been many years since I read The Stand and I don't believe I will take the time to read it again. I first read the book because I enjoyed the Welsh group "The Alarm". One of the first songs I had heard of theirs was called "The Stand". I liked it and the lyrics intrigued me. When I found they were based on Steven King's book I had to read it. Here is the old video of Mike Peters and The Alarm singing The Stand.
The Stand
Oh I have been out searching with the black book in my hand And I've looked between the lines that lie on the pages that I tread I met the walking dude,religious, in his worn down cowboy boots He walked liked no man on earth I swear he had no name (had no name) I swear he had no name
Come on down & meet your maker Come on down & make the stand Come on down, come on down, Come on down & make the stand.
As I crawled beneath the searchlights Looking through the floorboards of this life I met Doctor Strangelove's cousin He bore the marks of time "Hey! Trashcan where you going boy Your eyes are feet apart Is that the end you're carrying Shall I play the funeral march" (play the march) "Play the funeral march"
Come on down & meet your maker Come on down & make the stand Come on down, come on down, Come on down & we'll make the stand.
Come on down & meet your maker Come on down & make the stand Come on down, come on down, Come on down, we'll make the stand.
When I looked out the window On the hardship that had struck I saw the seven phials open The plague claimed man and son Four men at a grave in silence With hats bowed down in grace A simple wooden cross, It had no epitaph engraved (it had no) It had no epitaph engraved.
Come on down & meet your maker Come on down & make the stand Come on down, come on down, Come on and make the stand
Come on down & meet your maker Come on down & make the stand Come on down, come on down, Come on down, & we'll make the stand.
I always thought that the chorus would make a cool alter call for Billy Graham.
