Jesus and John Lennon.mp3
Couple quick things about this song. First, see the post before this for a few short remarks about the actual process of writing it. Second, I see this as an important song for me. Partly for reasons listed in the previous post, and partly because I think it's just a pretty good song (not that I expect everyone to like it). I found myself worrying a little about what listeners might think about this one. Perhaps this song will help me to let go of that feeling a bit and just let the songs come to life and breathe on their own.
Listeners may hear lots of different things and/or draw different meanings from it when they listen to this one. I'll let them sort that out in their own minds as they do. I'm sure you may find a meaning in this song that is completely unrelated to the one(s) I felt as I wrote and performed it. Regardless, I hope you enjoy Jesus and John Lennon. It comes from a good place, I think.
Thanks for taking the time,
J
Jesus and John Lennon
words and music by John Natiw
VERSE 1
Nineteen seventy three
On the way to the high school dance
Someone shouted to me
"All I'm sayin' is give peace a chance"
Saw an old man on a bench
His clothes were all covered in dirt
He smiled at me and looked away
Then he stood up and said "have you heard...
CHORUS 1
I saw Jesus and John Lennon spend the day
Hangin' out and talking 'bout that better way
Can you Imagine..."
VERSE 2
Word came through the telephone
A man killed a man with a gun
In a moment the dreamer was gone
But he wasn't the only one
Sad man on the radio
Said the world has just lost a great light
Closed the shades and then my eyes
And drifted off into the night
CHORUS 2
I saw Jesus and John Lennon take a walk
Through times square, strawberry fields and central park
Can you Imagine...
BRIDGE
Can you imagine, Standing side by side
Imagine, it's high time that we tried
Can you imagine, A brotherhood of man
Imagine, please tell me that you can...
[instrumental verse - harp]
CHORUS 3
I saw Jesus and John Lennon spend the day
Hangin' out and talking 'bout that better way
Can you Imagine...
Jesus and John Lennon.mp3
4 comments:
I think this lyric is great because of all of the detail: a clear setting (high school dance, 1973). And I'm a sucker for songs with pop culture references (Jesus, and John Lennon).
I like the melody change-up at the end of the second verse (triplets are what they're called I believe).
And of course, harmonica again rules. You've settled into your harmonica like a natural folkie.
:)
Accept your inner liberal. You can join Brandon over at Born Again Liberals (PurpleExploder from the Orchard).
:D
Thanks Steve. The detail in the lyrics is a bit of a change for me. I've tried "story songs" before (although this one is not really that), with little success. Drawing the picture here was not that hard.
The harmonica is coming along. I feel like everything I play sounds the same at this point, but it's really fun to learn.
I'm not quite ready to give up my "conservative" card yet though... LOL..
Thanks again for the comments.
J
Just a quick note about this one...
I recorded some double tracking on the vocals. The chorus didn't seem strong enough for my taste. I originally tried a couple of harmonies, but didn't like any of them. So I just ended up doubling the chorus, one left and one right.
I feel better now.
J
Just getting back to this one. Did a quick edit/add this afternoon. The last couple times I played this one out I did it with a new bridge. Thought I'd post it in the lyrics here.
John
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