Murder Most Foul

Early this morning I had a Skype session with my dear friend, Terry Price. Normally we meet once a week, at Beck’s Farmhouse Coffee, for a couple hours of mostly uninterrupted conversation. With the continuing spread of the Corona Virus, everyone has self-quarantined themselves, and most establishments - like the coffee shop, have shut their doors until the threat of this virus is over.

During our conversation, this morning, Terry had mentioned something that his wife brought up: about how much has happened in our lifetime; and since Terry and I are close in age, this topic was valid for me as well. It began with the assignation of President John F. Kennedy, followed by the assignation of Dr. Martin Luther King - only to be followed, shortly thereafter, by the assassination of Robert Kennedy. And then there was the assassination of Malcom X, and then Watergate with President Nixon. We had the war in Vietnam, with strong, and unrelenting protests at home - marked by the murder of four protestors by National Guard Soldiers who fired approximately 67 rounds in 13 seconds, in an attempt to squelch the protests. This order was given by then President Nixon.

What makes this conversation so ironic is because of something that I experienced about an hour ago, while listening to Jim Ladd’s radio broadcast. He played a brand new song by, Bob Dylan, that was just released today. The title: Murder Most Foul. 

I freely admit that I have always been in a very tiny minority when it comes to Bob Dylan: I just never really thought that much of his music - until now. I have been moved by many pieces of music, but I don’t think that any have moved me the way this piece did. It is just over 16 minutes in length, and inescapable once the first few words are sung. Everything about this piece of music is profound.

Listening to it opened a door within me, as I sat on the deck with my headphone on. I sat motionless. I felt, in ways that I haven’t felt in a while, and this feeling reminded me of why I am here - upon this earth. It is to tell the stories - hopefully as powerfully as Dylan has told this one. Before this evening it had been - for decades, Bruce Springsteen’s “Nebraska” album that acted as a benchmark for storytelling. “Murder Most Foul” has joined that album, as yet another benchmark.

As a society, along with numerous other societies around the world, we are experiencing something never encountered in any of our lifetimes. Violence, hatred, and outright lying by politicians is at an all time high. Racism is prevalent, and the focus on individualism is still rising. I find it to be a critical contrast: a few weeks ago a tornado swept through Nashville, devastating homes, business, and even lives. Without hesitation, people from all walks of life came to the aid of those affected by the devastation. Even in the predominantly black neighborhood of North Nashville, people of all races came together to help in the cleanup. They also came together with an abundance of donations - of food, clothing, and blankets; and in many cases these donation were were purchased, and donated as brand new. And then along came the virus...

When the first clues that the virus was approaching, people attacked the grocery stores and cleared the shelves. Now, a few weeks into the virus, grocery store shelves still remain empty. It became a frenzy, with no consideration of anyone else. Yet there is another side - aside where other individuals have come up with creative ways to bring about a sense of community, and of balance. I strongly believe that, she this virus passes, there will be a new way of doing things - at least for many people. I believe that this has shown - with great clarity, where people’s hearts reside; and for those whose hearts remained good - and open to one another, they will continue to bond together, and grow roots that are even stronger, as they interconnect. And yes, there will still be those who are in it for themselves - and so beit, But a new light may just be beginning to shine. I am reminded, quite fondly, of a line from a Leonard Cohen song: “There is a  Crack Where the Light Gets In”.

_David