I've tried to wait, but I can't.
For the last week, God has been refreshing my spirit in many different ways. God At War. Double-shot venti no-whip mochas. Last Monday's downpour of rain. And Eric Johnson.
EJ is one of the most amazing guitar talents to ever come down from Mt. Olympus and walk our little blue planet. Or any of the other 7 planets in our solar system. (Yes, I know 7 +1 = 8, not nine. But remember that Pluto got nixed as a planet last week or so.) Anyway….
On Eric's latest release, Bloom, which I've had since June 14, 2005, he puts together a phenomenal version of Bob Dylan's 'My Back Pages'. You need to go to iTunes and get it.(I'll send you $.99) Let the tone of his aural expertise wash over you and remind you that we take life way too seriously sometimes. Remember the words of Jesus, who said "let the little children come to me"….and something about 'faith like a child'.
Here are lyrics:
Crimson flames tied through my ears
Rollin' high and mighty traps
Pounced with fire on flaming roads
Using ideas as my maps
"We'll meet on edges, soon," said I
Proud 'neath heated brow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.
Half-wracked prejudice leaped forth
"Rip down all hate", I screamed
Lies that life is black and white
Spoke from my skull. I dreamed
Romantic facts of musketeers
Foundationed deep, somehow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.
Girls' faces formed the forward path
From phony jealousy
To memorizing politics
Of ancient history
Flung down by corpse evangelists
Unthought of, though, somehow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.
Too serious to fool
Spouted out that liberty
Is just equality in school
"Equality," I spoke the word
As if a wedding vow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.
In a soldier's stance, I aimed my hand
At the mongrel dogs who teach
Fearing not that I'd become my enemy
In the instant that I preach
My pathway led by confusion boats
Mutiny from stern to bow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.
Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats
Too noble to neglect
Deceived me into thinking
I had something to protect
Good and bad, I define these terms
Quite clear, no doubt, somehow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger than that now.
BTW, Bob Dylan turned 65 this year, just released his new album Modern Times, is scheduling an upcoming tour, and is on the cover of the September issue of Rolling Stone (got it in the mail today). Look for the media to blitz us with his genius.
