vanity

"For you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
Genesis 3:19 [Bible, Revised Standard Version, 1952]

"I have seen everything that is done under the sun,
and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind."
Ecclesiastes 1:14 [Bible, Revised Standard Version, 1952]

keep on truckin'

It is the history of America and the many crises that almost destroyed us, and the stories of the heroes that led us out of the darkness, that give me hope and strength, not anger or despair. Whatever the consequences of the current economic disaster, we will emerge a stronger nation, though it may be not apparent in terms of economic or political might. I really do place my trust in the minds of those who are working to navigate us through the next few years. No doubt there will be less than perfect decisions. Whether or not we like it, we all must accept it; that the course of events is not now within our purview, at least not mine. All the hand-wringing and debate, all the gurus, prophets,and armchair wizards will fade in the ever changing realities of the situation at hand.

We will endure and we will survive and we will emerge with integrity.

What Is Truth ?

The old man turned off the radio, said:
"Where did all of the old songs go?
"Kids sure play funny music these days.
"They play it in the strangest ways".
Said: "It looks to me like they've all gone wild.
"It was peaceful back when I was a child."
Well, man could it be that the girls and boys,
Are trying to be heard above your noise?
And the lonely voice of youth cries:
"What is truth?"

A little boy of three sittin' on the floor,
Looks up and says: "Daddy, what is war?"
"Son, that's when people fight and die."
A little boy of three says: "Daddy, why?"
A young man of seventeen in Sunday school,
Being taught the golden rule.
And by the time another year has gone around,
It may be his turn to lay his life down.
Can you blame the voice of youth for asking:
"What is truth?"

A young man sittin' on the witness stand,
The man with the book says: "Raise your hand.
"Repeat after me: I solemnly swear."
The man looked down at his long hair.
And although the young man solemnly swore,
Nobody seemed to hear anymore.
And it didn't really matter if the truth was there:
It was the cut of his clothes and the length of his hair.
And the lonely voice of youth cries:
"What is truth?"

The young girl dancing to the latest beat,
Has found new ways to move her feet.
The young man speaking in the city square,
Is trying to tell somebody that he cares.
Yeah, the ones that you're calling wild,
Are going to be the leaders in a little while.
This whole world's wakin' to a new born day,
And I solemnly swear that it'll be their way.
You better help that voice of youth find:
"What is truth."
And the lonely voice of youth cries:
"What is Truth?"

Written by John R. Cash.
(© Songs of Cash/Bughouse.)
Single release: © 1970, CBS Records.