While watching the benefit concert "Shelter from the Storm", I really enjoyed hearing Neil Young sing his new song "When God Made Me".
Here's the link to listen it:
http://www.thesongdog.de/rust/sounds/ny_20050702_wgmm.mp3
Here are the lyrics:
WHEN GOD MADE ME
Was he thinking about my country,
or the colour of my skin?
Was he thinking about my religion,
and the way I worshipped him?
Did he create just me in his image,
or every living thing?
When God made me.
When God made me.
Was he planning only for believers,
or for those who just had faith?
Did he envision all wars
that were fought in his name?
Did he say there was only one way
to be close to him?
When God made me.
When God made me.
Did he give me the gift of love
to say who I could choose?
When God made me.
When God made me.
When God made me.
Did he give me the gift of voice
so some could silence me?
Did he give me the gift of vision
not knowing what I might see?
Did he give me the gift of compassion
to help my fellow man?
When God made me.
When God made me.
When God made me.
Is this Neil's requiem to religion?
An ode to individualism and private interpretation of life perhaps?
If so, let it be the not-too-soon death of elitism and fundamentalist groups so we can all enjoy the only life we will ever have.
"Imagine" that.
S