Did anyone ever record a better album than “Graceland”? I’m sitting here in Liberia listening to live music that sounds so much like Paul Simon’s album that it is uncanny. It is mellow. It is exciting. It fills a hot night with spirit. But I just can’t get to it. I have tried several times, but I can’t get there. I can hear it. I can see where it is coming from, but I can’t get there. Too many beggars.
I don’t live in a world of beggars. My world is characterized by affluence. Sure I see a few people standing on the street corner where I live. I saw an interesting guy the other day holding a sign saying, “You can cuss me out for a dollar.” I’m sure he needed food. But I don’t think he was about to die.
But walking across the street in Monrovia trying to get to the tunes, I was surrounded by too many beggars to get there. I’m not talking about people who just won’t work. No, they were victims of the war here. Michael’s leg was deformed from an explosion. James lost a leg and walked on a homemade crutch. And even the non-beggars had stories. Arthur, who runs the Christian Relief Fund here, showed me his father’s house that had been hit by a rocket. There wasn’t much left.
They all say that it is a better time now. Music is playing. You can walk across the street and not have to dodge a bullet. But you will just get swarmed by beggars if you are a wealthy, white guy like me.
I bought Michael some shoes. James got a meal. But I didn’t think I could encounter all the rest of the guys on the street. So I went back to my hotel and listened to the music from afar.
What did I just experience? I guess it was a party. I think Jesus was there. Maybe he was the guy playing the percussion. “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.”–Jesus
Yes, I have been to Graceland.
I think I even saw Elvis at the restaurant.
At the hotel, there is electricity and running water–but not at the school.
Jesus was there–wow He is showing you so much!
blessings
elaine
Best album ever. I got it when it first came out, and have remained transfixed by it ever since. I still listen to it often, and think of Paul Simon bringing the wonderful sounds of Africa to our longing ears. It inspires me to believe that there is still love and music and happiness in that land, and it is only a matter of teaching the people there about the power of the Spirit, and showing them the love of Jesus, and not getting caught up in the materialism and selfishness that surrounds us here in the States. And I wonder sometimes, what would I be willing to give up to see this dream come true?