Imagine…
When the title for the previous post came to me, I re-read the lyrics and listened to John Lennon’s original. Like its author, and indeed like much of his music, Imagine has many detractors. Most of those do not go below the surface of the words and envision, perchance to dream, of Lennon’s imaginary world of peace, love, and harmony. Drug induced vision? Perhaps. Idealistic? Sure. Impossible? Of course. Worth working toward? Absolutely.
If you take the time to really read the words, all of the words, and think about the world that Lennon talked about, Imagine depicts a human state that is quite close to that espoused by all the great religions of the world. John Lennon became a lightning rod for peace during the Vietnam War. Consider what has happened to our world since 2000. Then read the verses again. We need a lightning rod for peace and sanity in this world gone mad. Imagine…
Imagine there’s no Heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one
6 Comments so far
Winston, YOU are a lightening rod for peace and sanity in this blogging world. Peace and love to you.
“Imagine” has been one of my all-time favorite songs….ever. It was the best thing John Lennon ever wrote, and he had some good stuff. And yes, I think everyone should read his words over and over and really absorb their intent of peace and beauty. Thanks Winston for the reminder…
ditto Elsie and Joy… bless you, Winston.
probably one of my favorite songs of all times…have you gone to see the movie across the universe?.it’s a movie done to the beatles songs..it looks fantastic..if it’s playing in waco I will go this weekend..first movie in about 12 years…but sounded to good to miss…going to take my granddaughters..
When I read the lyrics I hear John Lennon’s voice. Thanks for the opportunity to reflect.
“You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one”.
I imagine that it’s the “living as one” without religion and politics and race dividing us that is the important thing here. If we forget the things that we imagine seperate us and concentrate on our one unifying common attribute, we are all human.
Picasso wrote, “Anything you can imagine is real”. Why not is my question.
Thanks Winston, for the opportunity to revisit Lennon’s vision for our world.