In Silent Meditation

Recently, I have been discussing with some of my friends and family the difficulty of actually living one’s convictions. For instance, making the decision to only wear natural plant fibers or cosmetics that are not tested on animals will force someone to research each item they wish to purchase. A decision to purchase only fair trade coffee and chocolate creates the need to read containers and often to go out of one’s way to find the product. This discussion reminded me of some ideas I had pondered in the past. The same sort of difficulties will arise when one realizes the impact of their word choices and even their choice of music. Earlier this year, I discovered how even the most seemingly harmless choice can have a negative impact on the world. I don’t write this as a call to stop listening to a particular song or a particular band. I do, however, want to share the reason I turn off the radio (or switch stations) when certain songs or artists begin to play. It comes as a result of learning to actually listen to lyrics I once thought I knew.

Now, for years I just loved Lynyrd Skynyrd.  I even went to see them at the Spectrum in Philadelphia with some friends and my sister Sally, back in 1976.  I thought "Sweet Home Alabama" was great - loved the beat - you know, like "it's really danceable, I'll give it a 10."  The reality is that like so many songs, no matter how often I heard it, I really didn't understand some of the lyrics, so I missed a greater meaning in the song. What I realized was that this song is somewhat of an "anthem" to racism.

You see, Neil Young has a song called "Southern Man."  In the song, he admonishes the man of the southern states not to forget "what their good book says."  Well, let's make this easier (for me).  Here are the lyrics to "Southern Man:"

Southern Man

Southern man
better keep your head
Don't forget
what your good book said
Southern change
gonna come at last
Now your crosses
are burning fast
Southern man

I saw cotton
and I saw black
Tall white mansions
and little shacks.
Southern man
when will you
pay them back?
I heard screamin'
and bullwhips cracking
How long? How long?

Southern man
better keep your head
Don't forget
what your good book said
Southern change
gonna come at last
Now your crosses
are burning fast
Southern man

Lily Belle,
your hair is golden brown
I've seen your black man
comin' round
Swear by God
I'm gonna cut him down!
I heard screamin'
and bullwhips cracking
How long? How long?

Now here are the lyrics for "Sweet Home Alabama:"

Big wheels keep on turning
Carry me home to see my kin
Singing songs about the Southland
I miss Alabamy once again
And I think it's a sin, yes

Well I heard mister Young sing about her
Well, I heard ole Neil put her down
Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
A Southern man don't need him around anyhow

Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet Home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you

In Birmingham they love the governor
Now we all did what we could do
Now Watergate does not bother me
Does your conscience bother you?
Tell the truth

Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet Home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you
Here I come Alabama

Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers
And they've been known to pick a song or two
Lord they get me off so much
They pick me up when I'm feeling blue
Now how about you?

Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet Home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you

Sweet home Alabama
Oh sweet home baby
Where the skies are so blue
And the governor's true
Sweet Home Alabama
Lordy
Lord, I'm coming home to you
Yea, yea

I didn't notice "Mr. Young" speaking about Alabama specifically here...did you? Nevertheless, it is Alabama's four-time governor, George Wallace, who is most famous for resisting segregation and vilifying blacks, students and everyone who was against continued US activity in Vietnam.

There is no doubt in my mind that Mr. Wallace is the governor who is "true" in these lyrics. Actually knowing the lyrics to this song after all these years has certainly given me new eyes and new understanding.  I will never, ever be able to enjoy listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd again, without feeling a bit of anger for their part in continuing the edification of segregation and racism in this country.

A few years ago when “Sweet Home Alabama” played, I might have turned up the volume. Today, even hearing it causes a sense of guilt that I never heard the message inside the music. It’s a kind of guilt by association and of the sin of omission. How could I miss those lyrics for so many years?  Now that I know, it’s up to me to change the station.