The immortal Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull

[Seymouro]

Very misunderstood commentary about religion and especially the, at times tyrannical Church of England by the boys on these clips.

The ones that would be quick to rush to judgment would reflexively jump out and scream blasphemy and be outraged. Those people would represent the segment of narrow-minded, rush to judgment fools that unfortunately speak so loud with so little substance, let alone reason; that they tend to "drown out" the rest of the more rational, yet less bombastic thinkers.

Both songs featured illustrate the desire of the participant to be included, yet in the case of "Wind Up", the poor kid that the song is about was made fun of and to look like an idiot by the clergymen at his church. Ironically, it ends with the child asking if "before I'm through, I'd like to say my prayers"...

Then in "My God", Anderson begins by saying "He is the God of nothing" and it sounds inflammatory until you hear the following lyric about man "You are the God of EVERYTHING". All he is saying is lean upon the Lord for help and guidance and trust the Lord, but TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for YOUR actions! Finally,"So lean upon him gently, but don't call on him to save"...again STEP UP!

I am not saying that I agree with this carte-blanche, but I sure respect the man's opinions and they are worthy of thinking over.

After all, religion, to me, is supposed to be a practice that draws from the strength and wisdom of the savior. NOT the oft-distorted and self serving filtering and revision provided to us all by many messengers on Earth who make it a commercial enterprise that they deem to be a necessity for their own sustainment, while demanding absolute control of the purse strings. And it is up to each "receiver" to draw out what is best out of all messages, apply them for his own learning, and adopt it for his own good.

Otherwise, when you attend a service, I'll bet that you are one of those bastards that sin for all but the two hours or so that attend a service out of the 168 hour long week and depart squealing your tires, and cutting some poor stiff off as you cut in front of them on your haste to get back to the house for another round of "Bloody Marys"...

Say what you will, but for my money (both pennies), the man (Ian Anderson) is one of the most true, honest and honorable performers ever.

"Nuff said".

MUSIC!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-Zt40qu9vc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZXj20MjNek

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eJi8PqB_Mk

[Mark M]

Both of these are extemely cool songs by Tull and as with many bands I highly prefer the early stuff.

I guess I never heard or paid much attention to negative commentary concerning the lyrics but I can see how it could happen especially considering the subject matter. In the days I was really listening I was only hearing the guitars and flute

Listening a bit closer I think I sort of get what Ian is trying to say and If I'm interpreting correctly I think I'm down with most of it but I'd have to disect closer to really know. At any rate, quite insightful for a bunch of wild rockers back in the 70's.

MM

[Seymouro]

I probably would not have took as much notice as I did with regard to the religion issue Mark, except for one major factor.

I went to school in England, (after dad sold everything in 1966 and we went by ship in September of that year to the U.K.) Nobody realized when I enrolled in British schools that I was two grades behind where I was (they had me in what is equivalent to their 5th grade when I had just completing 3rd grade here in the states). All their schools have religion class.

In fact, it is only because I am blessed with a near photographic memory, that I recall what transpired there when I was so young and precocious. I paid scant notice to these lyrics until I recently got new CDs of this material. When I was 16, it had little or no impact on me. It does now.

All I can say in a nutshell is this...if you had any wonder as to what was the principal factor that precipitated the US revolution, it was the tyranny of the Church of England. And with my memories, I believe that a lot of it was still alive in 1966, when I experienced it first-hand.

Ian Anderson unlocks the evils in these recordings.