I Refuse

I Refuse is a song by Josh Wilson with very challenging lyrics. I think that most of us would aspire to the sentiments contained in them, though they are by far easier to say than to act out.

I just pray that God will melt our hearts to refuse to just pay "lip service" to the problems around us.

I Refuse lyrics
Songwriters: Benjamin Glover;Joshua David Wilson

Sometimes I
I just want to close my eyes
And act like everyone's alright
When I know they're not

This world needs God
But it's easier to stand and watch
I could say a prayer and just move on
Like nothing's wrong

But I refuse
'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

I can hear the least of these
Crying out so desperately
And I know we are the hands and feet
Of You, oh God

So, if You say move
It's time for me to follow through
And do what I was made to do
Show them who You are

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

To stand and watch the weary and lost
Cry out for help
I refuse to turn my back
And try and act like all is well

I refuse to stay unchanged
To wait another day, to die to myself
I refuse to make one more excuse

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

I refuse
I refuse

Wild Angels

Magnum are a band I have heard of for years, but to my shame never really given much of a listen to. I am in the process of changing this. Wild Angels is a recent single, which had quite a bit of airplay on Planet Rock earlier this year.

I would not pretend to know what the lyrics are about, and do not want to make a guess either. I find the song to be both catchy and singable.

Like a lot of songs there does appear to be a sense of longing, or searching within the lyrics. We all are searching for something to satisfy that inner yearning. For me it is my Christian faith that sustains in the time of trouble, or bewilderment.

Enjoy what I think is a truly cracking song, the clip below was recorded in Southampton in April this year.

Nobody's leaving this world tonight
The way I'm feeling, we'll be all right
So many people, going nowhere
The poor forsaken, nobody cares

I wonder what you're thinking
I don't know where you are
Can't stop my heart from sinking
Before it gets too far

Wild angels in the sky, baby
Diamonds fall like rain
Nobody told you why, baby
Isn't that a shame?

The room is empty, the city sleeps
We pass by gently, and shadows creep
But come tomorrow, there's no relief
And I'm still looking in disbelief

I wonder what you're thinking
I don't know where you are
Can't stop my heart from sinking
Before it gets too far

Wild angels in the sky, baby
Thunder in the air
Don't let it make you cry, baby
You won't have a prayer

Something out of nothing, tell me if I'm right
Stranded here forever, take me home tonight
Maybe let it happen, keep it in your mind
Maybe there's no answer, don't get left behind

Wild angels in the sky, baby
Diamonds fall like rain
Nobody told you why, baby
Isn't that a shame?

Wild angels in the sky, baby
Thunder in the air
Don't let it make you cry, baby
You won't have a prayer

Clarence Clemons RIP

Just a short posting of a track in tribute to the great man, who died recently. I had the joy of seeing him perform at Wembley many moons ago as part of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Enjoy Junglelands, performed live in Hyde Park in 2009.....

I Am A Cider Drinker

Well I do like a pint or two of cider, or real ale, but this is not about me.

The Wurzles clip that follows is by way of tribute to John Venter, who's funeral is this coming Friday. John was the village butcher in Prestbury, as well as almost living in The Plough. His death at 56 last week has left a big hole in the lives of so many people. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. He was a larger than life character and a friend to many. Over the last three years that I have been a regular at The Plough, rather than an occasional visitor, I have come to count John as a good friend. In the cold winter's months when the tourists are absent, we have often been the only two left in there at closing time on a Saturday. In the last six weeks since his nephew has taken on the running of the pub, we have often departed at some silly time in the morning!

I am going to miss you John, until we meet again, enjoy the cider....

I Wont Back Down

This song by Tom Petty has pretty simplistic lyrics, but to me they are also fairly profound. With references to standing your ground, and not backing down, it could quite easily be the way we as Christians should react. The reference to standing at the gates of hell, could be seen as any temptation. In these situations, I hope, that I would not back down from doing the right thing. The song says there is no easy way out, that is very true. In our own strength we can not avoid temptation's lure. If we lean on the strength of Jesus Christ, we will not avoid the temptation, but we should have the inner strength to overcome it. In other words...I wont back down.

Well I won't back down
No I won't back down
You can stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won't back down

No I'll stand my ground, won't be turned around
And I'll keep this world from draggin me down
gonna stand my ground
... and I won't back down

(I won't back down...)
Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
(and I won't back down...)
hey I will stand my ground
and I won't back down

Well I know what's right, I got just one life
in a world that keeps on pushin me around
but I'll stand my ground
...and I won't back down

(I won't back down...)
Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
(and I won't back down...)
hey I will stand my ground
(I won't back down)
and I won't back down...

(I won't back down...)
Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
(I won't back down)
hey I won't back down
(and I won't back down)
hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
(and I won't back down)
hey I will stand my ground
(and I won't back down)
and I won't back down
(I won't back down)
No I won't back down...

A Sinner Saved By Grace

I first heard this song at the recent funeral for Pete Berryman. Pete was the manager of Cornerstone United in the Cotswold Churches League. He was a passionate man, both about his faith and football. After hearing the many tributes to him at his funeral, this song appears to describe the way he thought of his life. By extension, it applies to most, if not all, of us as well.

If you could see
What I once was
If u could go with me
Back to where I started from
Then, I know you would see
A miracle of Love that put me
in it's sweet embrace
and made me what I am today
just an old sinner
Saved by grace

I'm just a sinner
Saved by grace
when I stood
condemned to death
He took my place
Now I live and breathe in freedom
with each breath of life I take
loved and forgiving
backed with a living
I'm just a sinner
Saved by grace

How could I boast on anything
I've ever seen or done
how could I dare to claim as mine
the victories GOD has won
where would I be
had GOD not brought me
gently to this place
I'm here to say I'm nothing but
a sinner
Saved by grace

I'm just a sinner
Saved by grace
when I stood condemned to death
He took my place
Now I grow and breathe in freedom
with each breath of life I take
I'm loved and forgiving
backed with a living
I'm just a sinner
Saved by grace

Now I grow and breathe in freedom
with each breath of life I take
I'm loved and forgiving
backed with a living
I'm just a sinner
Saved by grace
Saved by grace
If you could see
What I once was
If u could go with me
Back to where I started from
Then, I know you would see
A miracle of Love that put me
in it's sweet embrace
and made me what I am today
just an old sinner
Saved by grace

I'm just a sinner
Saved by grace
when I stood
condemned to death
He took my place
Now I live and breathe in freedom
with each breath of life I take
loved and forgiving
backed with a living
I'm just a sinner
Saved by grace

How could I boast on anything
I've ever seen or done
how could I dare to claim as mine
the victories GOD has won
where would I be
had GOD not brought me
gently to this place
I'm here to say I'm nothing but
a sinner
Saved by grace

I'm just a sinner
Saved by grace
when I stood condemned to death
He took my place
Now I grow and breathe in freedom
with each breath of life I take
I'm loved and forgiving
backed with a living
I'm just a sinner
Saved by grace

Now I grow and breathe in freedom
with each breath of life I take
I'm loved and forgiving
backed with a living
I'm just a sinner
Saved by grace
Saved by grace

Smiley Culture

Whatever the reasons behind his untimely death, Smiley Culture was a great reggae artist in his time. It is a pity that his time at the top was only brief, and that his life then allegedly went into a downhill spiral. In my diverse record collection I have both of his hit singles, Cockney Translation and Police Officer. The latter being an autobiographical song about him being constantly stopped whilst driving. The former a translation of Cockney mob slang into Jamaican yardie slang. Both were good in their own way. As a tribute to Smiley Culture, there are below the lyrics to, and a rendition of, Cockney Translation.

11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,
It's I Smiley Culture with the mike in a me hand
Me come to teach you right and not the wrong
In a de Cockney Translation

Cockney's not a language it is only a slang
And was originated yah so inna England
The first place it was used was over East London
It was respect for the different style pronunciation
But it wasn't really used by any and any man
Me say strictly con-man also the villain
But through me full up of lyrics and education
Right here now you a go get a little translation

Cockney have name like Terry, Arthur and del-boy
We have name like Winston, Lloyd and Leroy
We bawl out YOW! While cockneys say OI!
What cockney call a Jack's we call a Blue Bwoy
Say cockney have mates while we have spar
Cockney live in a brum while we live in a yard
Say we nyam while cockney get capture
Cockney say guv'nor. We say Big Bout ya
In a de Cockney Translation!
In a de Cockney Translation!


Well watch a man..............................
The translation of cockney to understand is easy
So long as you don't deaf and you listen me keenly
You should pick it up likea youth who find some money
Go tell it to your friends also your family
No matter if a English or a Yardy
Ca' you never when them might buck up a cockney
Remember warm dem dem deh man dem don't easy
Dem no fire sling shot a me say strictly double B
Dem run protection racket and control 'nuff C.I.D.

Say cockney fire shooter, We bus' gun
Cockney say tea leaf, We say sticks man
You know dem have wedge while we have corn
Say cockney say be first, my son! We just say Gwan!
Cockney say grass, We say outformer man
When dem talk 'bout iron dem really meam batty man
Rope chain and choparita me say cockney call tom
Say cockney say Old Bill, We dutty Babylon
In a de Cockney Translation!
In a de Cockney Translation!

Well watch a man........................
Slam bam
Jah man
Hear dam
Fashion
Smiley
Culture
Origiantion


But first let me tell you more about the cockney
Who live comfortably and have yacht by the sea
And when it come to money most of then have plenty
But where dum spend it? In de bookie
Lose it all on the dogs or on the gee gees
Or paying off fe dem bribes to the Sweeney
So dem nah go do no time fe no armed robbery
Or catching antthing that fell off the back of a lorry


Slam bam
Jah man
Hear dem
Fashion
Me strong
Me long
Me at the mike stand
More time
In a dance
Me chat
'Pon a sound


But sometimes me shake out and leave me home town
And that's when me travel a East London
Where I have to speak as a different man
So that the cockney can understand
So black man and white man hear dem fashion


Cockney say scarper, We say scatter
Cockney say rabbit, We chatter
We say bleach, Cockney Knackered!
Cockney say triffic, We say waaacked!


Cockney say blokes, We say guys
Cockney say Alright? We say Ites!
we say pants, Cockney say strides
Sweet as a nut...................... just level vibes. Seen?