Some More Music From the American Muse

Since I've encountered Stevens' Muse singing to the ocean, the central theme to me is the American use of music to form and move their self image. Jerry Garcia formed a pivotal backbone of the American psyche, during what was considered by many to be the high-water mark of America (See Hunter S.Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas). As I was working of O'Connor's novel the flowing song came on my iPod. Not originally by Jerry, I realize, but still it was a piece of art he clearly left his mark upon. Interestingly, he died before he had truly become old. At age 55, he had begun to return to his roots and in fact the roots of american music with Bluegrass. Jerry was a massive fan of traditional music. Constantly he was reinterpreting americana music made popular by men like Woody Guthrie. Garcia was a type of muse, performing the songs that identified what is was to be living on the space. He sang past the genius of the land. Was he successful, in some part, due to his humanity?

The Harder They Come

Well they tell me of a pie up in the sky
Waiting for me when I die
But between the day you're born and when you die
They never seem to hear you even your cry.

So as sure as the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share now, what's mine
And the harder they come, the harder they fall
The harder they come, the harder they fall one and all.

Well the oppressors are trying to keep me down
Trying to drive me underground
And they think that they have got the battle won
I say forgive them Lord they know not what they've done.

Cause as sure as the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share now, what's mine
And the harder they come, the harder they fall
The harder they come, the harder they fall one and all.

And I'll keep on fighting for the things I want
Though I know that when you're dead you can't
But I'd rather be a free man in my grave
Than living as a puppet or a slave.

So as sure as the sun will shine
I'm gonna get my share now, what's mine
And the harder they come, the harder they fall
The harder they come, the harder they fall one and all.