This was written in 1979 by Bob Dylan. Listen to it in view of today’s problems.
From Front Page:
Maybe Bob Dylan is a prophet after all. On stage in Omaha back on Jan. 25, 1980, Dylan, in the midst of fierce controversy over having become a Christian, said, “Years ago they…said I was a prophet. I used to say, ‘No, I’m not a prophet.’ They’d say: ‘Yes you are, you’re a prophet.’ I said, ‘No, it’s not me.’ They used to say: ‘You sure are a prophet.’ They used to convince me I was a prophet. Now I come out and say Jesus Christ is the answer. They say, ‘Bob Dylan’s no prophet.’ They just can’t handle it.”
God don’t make no promises that He don’t keep
You got some big dreams, baby, but in order to dream you gotta still be asleep
When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up
When you gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain?
Counterfeit philosophies have polluted all of your thoughts
Karl Marx has got ya by the throat, Henry Kissinger’s got you tied up in knots
When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up
When you gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain?
You got innocent men in jail, your insane asylums are filled
You got unrighteous doctors dealing drugs that’ll never cure your ills
When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up
When you gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain?
You got men who can’t hold their peace and women who can’t control their tongues
The rich seduce the poor and the old are seduced by the young
When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up
When you gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain?
Adulterers in churches and pornography in the schools
You got gangsters in power and lawbreakers making rules
When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up
When you gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain?
Spiritual advisors and gurus to guide your every move
Instant inner peace and every step you take has got to be approved
When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up
When you gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain?
Do you ever wonder just what God requires?
You think He’s just an errand boy to satisfy your wandering desires
When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up
When you gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain?
You can’t take it with you and you know that it’s too worthless to be sold
They tell you, “Time is money,” as if your life was worth its weight in gold
When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up
When you gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain?
There’s a Man up on a cross and He’s been crucified
Do you have any idea why or for who He died?
When you gonna wake up, when you gonna wake up
When you gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain?
Yes, very timely.
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You can say the same about Quicksilver’s “What about me!” Recorded back in the early 70’s.
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Indeed, Pa!
You poisoned my sweet water.
You cut down my green trees.
The food you fed my children
Was the cause of their disease.
My world is slowly fallin’ down
And the airs not good to breathe.
And those of us who care enough,
We have to do something…….
[Chorus]
Oh… oh What you gonna do about me?
Oh… oh What you gonna do about me?
Your newspapers,
They just put you on.
They never tell you
The whole story.
They just put your
Young ideas down.
I was wonderin’ could this be the end
Of your pride and glory?
[Chorus]
I work in your factory.
I study in your schools.
I fill your penitentiaries.
And your military too!
And I feel the future trembling,
As the word is passed around.
“If you stand up for what you do believe,
Be prepared to be shot down.”
[Chorus]
And I feel like a stranger
In the land where I was born
And I live like an outlaw.
An’ I’m always on the run…
An I’m always getting busted
And I got to take a stand….
I believe the revolution
Must be mighty close at hand…
[Chorus]
I smoke marijuana
But I can’t get behind your wars.
And most of what I do believe
Is against most of your laws
I’m a fugitive from injustice
But I’m goin’ to be free.
Cause your rules and regulations
They don’t do the thing for me
[Chorus]
And I feel like a stranger
In the land where I was born
And I live just like an outlaw.
An’ I’m always on the run.
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I’m not sure if the perspective was accurate, but the words certainly were.
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Stella, I appreciate your notice of the substantial things in life and sharing those here. I know that there’s always been perversion, lust for power and money, government shannigans, corruption, etc. But, I always knew what it was and the perpetrators knew, as well.
When did our consciences become so clouded and numb, when did we become so tolerant that we’re willing to accept just whatever is handed to us, and, the really hard part, like it, too?
I don’t know how people with no faith in God survive these days.
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College years back in the 60’s…thats when I lost my sister to the doctrine! She used to go to Sunday school; now she doesn’t even send Christmas cards. They stole her soul…it’s so sad.
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