I had prepared a new post for today (and have set a strong intention to begin posting regularly again) – but while doomscrolling on Instagram I came across this version of the Sound of Silence by the sibling group Life In 3D, and I felt a strong urge to share it. Please listen closely to the words and the message. This is a beautiful song but it’s also a call to action to speak up for doing good in the world. Please listen and enjoy, and take time to re-read the original post.

(image from Flickr.com with creative commons rights)

Paul Simon and Art Garfunkle were a folk music duo in the ’60s and 70’s. They were well known for their catchy and easy listening songs. I remember enjoying their easy listening, fun to sing along to songs as I grew up. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized that some of theses songs had deeper meanings than I realized.

The songs are notable in how they are so easy to connect with and listen to. They provide comfort and ease one’s fears instead of protest songs that are more aggressive and in your face.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_%26_Garfunkel

The Sound of Silence

This song is so smooth and interesting to listen to. The lyrics hint at a bit of a deeper meaning, but it’s so easy just to go along with it and not really give more attention to it. Then, a heavy metal band, Disturbed recorded it in 2015, with a much deeper level of anger and obvious pain associated with it, which made me realize there was more to it.

The song was inspired by a friend of Art’s who became blind and how Art would assist him and lead him around. Art would refer to himself as “Darkness” during this time. There’s a story that at one point Art was walking with my friend but then became quiet and stepped away from him leaving the friend to navigate the crowd himself. The friend had believed Art had left him and at first panicked, but then worked on listening and feeling his way through. Once he got through the crowded area Art let him know that he’d been behind him the whole time.

The song also includes messages about people ‘Talking without Speaking, and “Hearing without Listening”. “Silence Like a Cancer Grows”. It’s a strong rebuke of people choosing to not see what’s going on around them. Or, for not standing up to what they see is wrong.

It’s a much more complex song than it comes across, and deserves to have more attention paid to it.

Bridge over Troubled Water

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_over_Troubled_Water_(song)

This song was written in 1969 when America was in turmoil. Vietnam, Nixon, Assassinations, etc. It’s not so much a protest song, per se, but and acknowledgement of the difficult times they were in. It’s meant to be comforting to those who were “weary and feeling small”. It’s an acknowledgement of the toll the pain and suffering in the world was taking on people.

I feel like it’s a call to action to be that bridge for those we see struggling. Protesting isn’t always about yelling at people. I believe it’s also about supporting others to find their voices.