This song made some very interesting changes and evolutions as I wrote it. At first it was a little bitter since I was raised a Christian and then after 5 years of Theocratic Ministry School and becoming and ordained minister, in 1979, I reasoned that we as mortals, shouldn’t be allowed to decide who is right or wrong when it comes to religion. So I revolted and was consequently exiled. Even in exile I still feel that way deep in my being.

In the years since have read everything I could get my hands on to try to get a closer connection to the source of life. Science has enlightened my country bumpkin beginnings, interesting sci-fi stories, and even fascinating religious philosophies. I have since read most of the great philosophers, and after thousands of books and journals; I still don’t know. Yet in that, it is a relief to know that we are all entitled to know what we know and believe what we believe in our own right, way and method. With today’s technology most humans have access to information to fully enlighten their mind, body and soul.

I seek and will seek until I can seek no more, as of now all l I know for sure is, the more I look and scrutinize, the less sure I am and I actually find comfort in knowing I can’t master this life or knowing, if I did I would be done, and I am not ready to be done. And that just might mean we are all right, right in our decisions, our indecisions and right in our search to find what we believe.

Maybe Jesus, Mohammed, Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), Mahatma Ghandi, Brigham Young, Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King, Jr. or even Nelson Mandela (et al) could have a special connection to God that they need, should or were told to share with us to help us find our spiritual path.

I chose not to decide WHO is or is not the “Christ”, the Lord, a saint or sinner. What I chose to do instead is to reap everything I can from each and every peaceful and enlightened soul’s story. That way maybe my life can be more peaceful. I feel at peace with all that is happening on the planet today because I think bigger souls and more powerful spirits than mine are in action here.

This song, “The Jew” is also a reflection of the peace and enlightenment I get from my Jewish friends that show me that tribe, village, family and tradition are very much needed on our world and our society. As such all traditions and and connections that promote peace and well being should be fostered and respected.

So as the song says in its final line,
“As for me I’m glad I got the chance,
To get to know the Jew.”

That is figurative in my metaphor and it is literally my relationship with my close Jewish friends. As momma used to say… “Thank ya, Jesus!”