The Peaceful Rebel

[John]

I'm working on a new song . . . Don't have the tune down yet - but many existing tunes can work for now:

The Peaceful Rebel        by John Connell

In a prison out in Dover
As the heat wave passes through
He's as peaceful as was Jesus
And the gaurds all know it's true

They don't know what to make of him
He won't put up a fight
He wakes up smiling every day
And he smiles throughout the night

It is hauntingly familiar
As they watch him through the door
A few times - back in history
There were men like him before

The law was wrong & he was right
But that's not what they see
They just see the strange new rebel
Who keeps acting like he's Free

In that prison cell in Dover
As a summer storm blows through
He's as peaceful as was Jesus
And the JUDGES know it to

[then (maybe) as the song fades - to the tune of Charlie Daniels' "Saddle Tramp"]
And if you don't like him, You won't like me either
He's a non-violent rebel, And I can't wait till he's home again in Keene

[Kat Kanning]

Wow, John, that's beautiful!

[burnthebeautiful]

I'm actually considering writing a song myself, maybe we could put some songs together and make some kind of Russel Kanning Aid EP

[Pat K]

  nice John.

[Tom Sawyer]

Thanks John... I think that the heart is what we need to appeal to. I see a lot of effort in analytical discussion. If rational reason was all that effective we would already have won. We need to get people to feel... then we will be able to move forward.

Frustrated by the inability to get our message out? Try explaining your feelngs and beliefs to the folks closest to you. Your parents, friends etc. if you refine your approach and speak from the heart... well maybe we can build support to take back America. Just preaching to the choir isn't cutting it anymore.

Polishing guns, trying to use the political process, writing another academic tome... get someone to laugh, cry or dream about having our freedom back then things will start to improve.

Rush -- Closer to the Heart

And the men who hold high places
Must be the ones who start
To mold a new reality
Closer to the heart
Closer to the heart

The blacksmith and the artist
Reflect it in their art
They forge their creativity
Closer to the heart
Yes, closer to the heart

Philosophers and ploughmen
Each must know his part
To sow a new mentality
Closer to the heart
Yes, closer to the heart, yeah

You can be the Captain
And I will draw the chart
Sailing into destiny
Closer to the Heart
Closer to the Heart
Well, closer to the Heart, yeah

[Michael Fisher]

Great work, John.

There's only one small problem: nothing compares to Jesus. The Lord's methods are somewhat similar, but as far as I know, He did not violate any laws unless the law violated the Bible.

Your general approach is correct: the essence of civil disobedience is supposed to be civility and its goal is an emotional as well as an intellectual response.

[Dreepa]

Great work, John.

There's only one small problem: nothing compares to Jesus. The Lord's methods are somewhat similar, but as far as I know, He did not violate any laws unless the law violated the Bible.

He did overturn some tables which might have been against the law.
He also sometimes help some rallies and did not do them in a 'free speech zone'.

[Caleb]

Jesus ... I think John R Stott's book sums him up nicely, "The incomparable Christ"  There will never be another Jesus Christ, the divine came once for all time.

But our calling is to imitate him as best we can, and I think Russell does a fine job.

Caleb

[Recumbent ReCycler]

Great work, John.

There's only one small problem: nothing compares to Jesus. The Lord's methods are somewhat similar, but as far as I know, He did not violate any laws unless the law violated the Bible.

He did overturn some tables which might have been against the law.
He also sometimes help some rallies and did not do them in a 'free speech zone'.

After He overturned the tables, He threw some people out of His Father's house. 
And He healed people on the sabbath, which at the time was forbidden.

[John]

Wow, John, that's beautiful!

Thanks Kat.  So glad you like it,  . . . therefore, I figure it is successful.

[John]

I'm actually considering writing a song myself,

We definatly need more songs!

[John]

I think that the heart is what we need to appeal to. . .

The blacksmith and the artist
Reflect it in their art
They forge their creativity
Closer to the heart
Yes, closer to the heart

Philosophers and ploughmen
Each must know his part
To sow a new mentality
Closer to the heart
Yes, closer to the heart, yeah

You can bet that that is what I am hoping to do with my songs.

[John]

There's only one small problem: . . .

Thanks for the constuctive criticism.  I was very aware that this might be pushing further than is comfortable, and I am trying not to go too far - but I want to (I must) walk up as close to that line as I can, so that folks might think about (and feel) how far "the authorities/the System" is capable of taking things. . .

[John]

Anyway, thanks for all of the feedback.

BTW, I had not written complete a song since "Let Me Call You Home" in 2003.  Seems it takes real inspiration for me to do this . . .

(I began another song about CD last night.)

[Recumbent ReCycler]

So...When will the mp3 be available?