Song of the Day: Butler Street
(to listen for free, go to http://www.davidlamotte.com/music/hard-earned-smile/ and click track 11)
I wrote this song after spending some time at the Open Door Community in Atlanta, Georgia, which is sometimes referred to as an ‘unintentional community’ of homeless and formerly homeless and housed people all trying to serve Christ and each other. I was angry when I came home; angry at systems that oppress, and truth be told, angry at my own complicity in those systems and benefit from them.
When I was young I thought that part of being faithful was not being angry, but I have come to believe that anger is an important place to visit, it’s just not a very good place to live. Jesus certainly got angry, and some of that anger was pointed in similar directions — driving the money changers from the temple, for instance. What I hope and pray for is to continue to find ways to direct that energy toward positive change rather than wallowing in it.
I stopped playing this song for a while, after a youth leader (not a youth) came up to me after a concert and thanked me for singing this song because “some days you just don’t want to sing about the poor.” The concern that people could miss the irony made me lay it down, but I trust you to read closely enough to get it.
Blessings on your day.
Butler Street
Words and Music by David LaMotte
Atlanta, Georgia, 1997There’s a neon cross on a mountain
Saying ‘sinners best beware’
That means that somebody went to the trouble
To run power way up there
These mountains speak to my spirit
I guess it kind of blows my mind
To think someone could look at that vista
And think God needs a neon signThe old man asked me if I was saved
I turned to check his eyes
I didn’t see any concern there
And it’s sad that I wasn’t surprised
No, he was just trying the secret handshake
Where you push until push comes to shove
His hands were deep in his pockets
And his eyes said nothing of love(Chorus:)
Sing me a song about Jesus
But please don’t sing about the poor
It’s already been a long day
I really don’t want to hear anymore
Sing me a song about Jesus
That will make me feel happy inside
Sing me a song about forgiveness
That will make this lifestyle feel justified
Sing a song about JesusRan into Jesus this morning
He was down on Butler Street
He was carrying his bedroll
Standing in line for something to eat
He got splashed by the muddy water
When the shiny hubcaps rolled by
He brushed himself off and chuckled and looked over at me
And said “hey, there but for the grace of God go I”(repeat chorus)
