A NEW BOTTOM LINE
Lyrics

© 2006-2020 by Sharon Abreu and Michael Hurwicz
www.sharmuse.com
www.irthlingz.org
www.penguinsonthinice.com

 

1. Economology  (2:43)

There's a lesson that is dawning on humanity
A species that has suffered from insanity
It's a very simple lesson of prosperity
The economy depend on the ecology.

Many years back in old Iraq, agriculture was invented.
Population increase, cut down all the trees - now that place a desert.

The economy depend on the ecology
The economy depend on the ecology
From land and sea come prosperity -
The economy depend on the ecology

See, you and me are the economy
and we depend on the ecology
If the world isn't healthy, neither will we be,
Economy depend on the ecology

There was a place called Love Canal
People had work a-plenty
But the factory man put poison in the land
And now that town is empty

The factory depend on the ecology
The factory depend on the ecology
Don't poison the land Mr. factory man
The economy depend on the ecology

I don't think war will solve a problem
It only bring devastation
Let's stay home and take care of our own land
And we will have a stronger nation

Democracy depend on the ecology
Freedom the depend on the ecology
Your side, my side, everybody
Everything depend on the ecology

Factory depend on the ecology
University depend on the ecology
Baseball, football, democracy
Everything depend on the ecology

You and me depend on ecology
She and he depend on ecology
All of  we depend on the ecology
It's a lesson that is dawning on humanity.

 

2. Katrina  (5:09)

Katrina’s song was a wild aria full of fury and rage,
More forceful than any drama diva to blow onto the global stage.
She’s the worst hurricane we’ve ever seen,
And I don’t want to blame,
No, I don’t like that scene,
And I don’t want to put my energy there, but my God!
Hear the cries of the Earth and the air!

Chorus:
Katrina blows her fitful warning,
Katrina screams, “The Earth is warming!”
Her flood waters rise, gushing tears in our eyes.
The winds of change carry your name – Katrina, Katrina.

The troops we need now on our soil
Are far off fighting a war for oil,
And the fuels we’re burning fueled the force
Of Katrina’s tempestuous turmoil.
The worst storm in our history rages on in you and me.
Some pick up the remains in a world gone insane,
And we brace for the next hurricane. Katrina! Chorus

She’s still churning in our minds, still tossing in our hearts.
She’s pounding in our conscience and tearing our souls apart.
But how much do we really care?

 

3. Sweet Survivor by Peter Yarrow  (4:01)

You have asked me why the days fly by so quickly
And why each one feels no different from the last
And you say that you are fearful of the future
And you have grown suspicious of the past

And you wonder if the dreams we shared together
Have abandoned us or we abandoned them
And you cast about and try to find new meaning
So that you can feel that closeness once again

Carry on my sweet survivor
Carry on my lonely friend
Don't give up on your dream, don't you let it end

Carry on my sweet survivor
Though you know that something's gone
For everything that matters, carry on

Do you remember when you felt each person mattered?
When we all had to care or all was lost?
Ah but now you see believers turn to cynics
And you wonder was the struggle worth the cost

Then you find someone too young to know the difference
And the veil of isolation in their eyes
And inside you know you've got to leave them something
Or the hope for something better slowly dies

Carry on my sweet survivor
Carry on my lonely friend
Don't give up on your dream and don't you let it end

Carry on my sweet survivor
Though you know that something's gone
For everything that matters, carry on

Carry on my sweet survivor
You've carried it so long
So it may come again, carry on
Carry on, carry on

 

4. Change in the Climate  (4:19)

There's a change in the climate, there's a change in the air,
Changes are happening everywhere.
Are we ready to notice?
Do we dare to be aware?
How can we change the atmosphere and show that we care?
By now we've heard the call,but do we heed the warning?
Do we look at Peter Pan and Santa Claus the same way we look at Global Warming?
Do we heed the tests of science, or buy the words of industry?
Can we look at what we do individually?
How can we make a difference, each one do our part
To cool the rising tides of warming, each one make a start?


Chorus:
Sometimes I feel like I'm standing by myself,
Though I know we're all in this together.
But let's not talk about global warming, No, No -
Let's just talk about the weather.
Now there is no magic potion, but I know that there's a plan -
We can save our skies and oceans, our forests and our land.
But to reach the ears of Congress, we're gonna have to shout.
The animals and trees can't, so we've got to work this out.

Chorus


[THE RAP:]
The Kyoto Treaty is reliable, it's economically viable,
But the U.S. won't ratify, and the world is standing by.
Waiting for U.S. action, feeling the Earth's dissatisfaction.
You're supposed to represent us, not choke us and cement us!
So, c'mon, U.S., RATIFY, so more people don't have to die!

The coral reefs are steeped in grief,
The ozone's feeling incomplete,
The glaciers are disappearing and who is the thief?
Big guns saying "You all worry so much, you worry warts –
You worry just ‘cause you're wearing shorts in New York in December!"
Well, I'll tell you what you can do with your CO2,
Your fluorocarbon jargon and your coal-burning soul!
Your carbon monoxide is not your best side,
So open wide and take what Mother Nature just won't take in stride!
It's a long-term friendship threatening to end -
I will not let this happen, I will fight to defend this Earth –
You are so important to me.
I will keep you safe and healthy,
and you'll do the same I’ll see.

Chorus

 

5. Wangari (www.greenbeltmovement.org)  (5:25)

Refrain:
Oh, Wangari, Wangari, Wangari! (2x)

Kenya’s daughter, you have won,
You shine bright as morning sun.
All those times your dream was denied,
Now you know God is on your side!

You’re the breeze through trees above,
You have shown the power of love.
You have helped us to understand
Peace on Earth needs a living land!

You have planted freedom’s song,
Your heart lives where seeds grow strong.
Bravely, you led the women wise,
Planting peace, earned the Nobel prize!

Now your Green Belt can expand
All across this world’s great land.
Africa, come and take the lead,
Cure AIDS, heal the Earth, end the greed!

From a higher place we heal
Our Earth’s wounds and our own reveal.
Planting trees our great gift to all
Generations yet to grow tall!

 

6. Mary & Julia   (4:24)

p>CHORUS:

Mary and Julia,
Way up high in a Redwood tree,
Dreaming far and wide
of what they knew had to be.

Mary and Julia,
Climbing high to see,
The trees through the fading forest
In the darkness of an ancient mystery.

"I think I'll stay a week," said Julia,
"Maybe I'll stay all year.
It's amazing how the view does change
When you look from way up here."

Mary and Julia,
Way up high in a Redwood tree,
Two hundred feet above the Earth.
To see how far they can see.

A thousand years can fall so fast,
And millenniums topple hard.
Could be a winter or a world away,
Could be in my back yard today.
And I can see your tree
Through a forest of lies
The wolf, he wears a thin disguise.

Mary and Julia,
Way up high in a Redwood tree,
Dreaming far and wide
of what they knew had to be.

Mary and Julia,
Climbing high to see,
The trees through the fading forest
In the darkness of an ancient mystery.

Laughter must and will prevail,
Louder than any logger's tale.
Ears that cannot bear the sound
Of great life as it hits the ground.

The young cannot replace the old,
Bands more valuable than gold.
The new rush of the West
Brings a loud, destructive guest.

Mary and Julia,
Way up high in a Redwood tree,
Dreaming far and wide
of what they knew had to be.

Mary and Julia,
With their voices so clear and strong,
Call to you and me,
"Come up and see -- and don't wait too long."

Mary and Julia,
Way up high in a Redwood tree,
Dreaming far and wide
of what they knew had to be.

Mary and Julia (3x)

 

7. Blue and Green  (Blue-Green Alliance Theme Song) (4:08)
    http://www.bluegreenalliance.org


Green is for the grasses, and the leaves that help us breathe.
Green is for the living Earth, that gives us all we need.
Blue is for the ocean, connecting every shore.
Blue is for the workers, from Spokane to East Timor.
 
Chorus:
We are a coalition, a union of Blue and Green,
With a deep, sustaining vision
Of work and play and Earth in harmony.
Blue and Green, Blue and Green,
Sky and land, work and man -- A union of Blue and Green.
 
Blue and Green together, on the pallet of our lives,
Blending for our children, our husbands and our wives,
A world where home and workplace are healthy, safe and clean,
A world of peace and plenty – a world of Blue and Green.
 
Blue and Green, Blue and Green,
Sky and land, work and man -- A union of Blue and Green.
 
Now, corporations like to say that Blue cannot meet Green,
But that is not acceptable, or true, from what we’ve seen.
We have to make it happen, and together there’s a way,
With minds and hearts in motion, making history today.

Chorus
 

8. The Balance (www.penguinsonthinice.com)  (1:50)

How do we find the balance?
How do we find the key?
Where would you look to find it?
I want you to tell me.

How do we find the balance?
How do we level the scales?
Think about the animals – from the frogs to the whales.
And then tell me what you think,
Take time and think hard.
Think about what life is like beyond your own backyard.

How do we find the balance?
How do we find the key?
How would you like to write
The next page of history?

How would you write
The next page of history?
How do we find the balance?
How do we find the key?

 

9. IRV (The Instant Runoff Voting Song)  (3:38)

I wanna tell ya ‘bout the new kid on the block
By the name of I-R-V,
Now IRV’s a guy who caught my eye,
I know he could make history, yeah,
He could set our country free!

IRV is just a friendly guy,
Who only wants to serve,
And when “Get lost!” is the reply
You know IRV’s hit a nerve.

“My name is IRV, I’m a new kind of player,
I am I-R V, you’ll know me sooner or later.
When the drag-ons are dragging their feet,
Watch I-R-V comin’ down the street.”

Chorus:
Oooh, IRV – I hope you come to me.
I want more choice, and you give a voice
To a real democracy!

People tired of choosing from the lesser of
Evils sparrin’ with the same old gloves
IRV says “Look what you’ve been missin’,”
And some of them start a-listenin’.

You ask, “IRV, how can this be?
How can I vote for a third par-ty?
Without my vote goin’ out to sea?”
“Ah,” says IRV, “that’s my beauty!

“You see, with I-R-V you’re free to vote
Your first choice without fear,
‘Cause you can vote for your second choice, too,
So your hope won’t disappear.” Chorus

There’s a potent disease in the Beltway breeze,
But we don’t have to let it get our goat.
There’s a great way to treat the bugs on that beat,
And I-R-V could be the antidote.

Yeah, there are big bullies in that town,
At least two that I know,
They want to punch and knock I-R-V down,
But fear won’t make IRV go.

Now you don’t need to wear your politics on your sleeve,
But when the system fails you, you can believe
That there are more ways to skin a vote –
I-R-V will help democracy stay afloat.

So take a good look at I-R-V,
Lookin' better all the time,
When choices change from two to three,
You're gonna see a happier votin' line. Chorus
That’s a free republic to me!

 

10. Be Peace  (3:02)

I pray for peace in this world for all people (2x)
But I know prayer is not enough, not enough.
I must Be Peace, feel it in my body and soul,
Be Peace, fill my heart and mind with the glow
Only Love can show.
That’s when I will know Peace.

 

11. Please Don’t Call It Theater
When You’re Talking About War

Please don’t call it ‘theater’
When you’re talking about war.
There’s no dramatic lighting,
Just bombs and death and gore.
No program or synopsis
That tells you what it’s for –
So please don’t call it ‘theater’
When you’re talking about war.
Please don’t call it ‘theater’
When you’re talking about war.

There’s no grand proscenium
With velvet curtains there.
But flag-draped coffins by the score
You won’t see on the air.
No popcorn, no milk duds,
No wine, but lots of blood,
Spilled on dirt in far-off lands,
Weak plots mired in mud.
Blood spilled in far-off lands,
Weak plots all mired in mud.

But OH—the rush of battle!
It keeps-- us wanting more.
Holds high—emotions captive,
And we don’t see we dropped our dreams
Down on its sticky floor.

Its directors never acted,
They can’t begin to feel
The pain in this production
Though the spotlight they steal.
How can you call it ‘theater’
When it’s all too very re—ee—eal?
How can you call it ‘theater’
When it’s all too very real?
How can you call it ‘theater’
When it’s all so very real?

No one calls it ‘theater’ when someone dies of AIDS.
Our failing systems earn no dramatic accolades.
Lieutenant Perez won no Tony, though she died at 23 --
In a war they call the ‘theater’, no end in sight to see,
Shouting “Freedom isn’t free” from the wings of our country.

So, please don’t call it ‘theater’,
And please don’t take a bow,
If you won’t take the bullet
Killing those you cast right now.
Don’t expect applause
From hearts that don’t beat anymore,
In the show that doesn’t shut down
Though reviews are very poor. (repeat last two lines)

If a show won’t fly at home
You shouldn’t take it out on tour!—
So, please don’t call it ‘theater’
When you’re talking about war.
Please don’t call it ‘theater’
When you’re talking about war.
Please don’t call it ‘theater’
When you’re talking-- about war.

 

12. Department of Peace Bop   (3:41)

Float like a butterfly, buzz like a bee
The Department of Peace is the kind of government I want to see

Don't go spending all our money on things that hurt and kill
If you want to see peace in the world, support the Department of Peace bill

 

13. Oh, Jesus! (Sharon & the Chip-Monks)  (2:24)

Oh, Jesus! Look what’s being done in your name – Oy Gevalt!
Seems like here we go again, but it’s not your fault, you see.
Oh, Jesus, come and rescue me!

Oh, Jesus! We don’t know who wrote the Bible – what the hey!
It gives us a good story and a reason to pray, you see.
And we can kill for piety.

Oh, Jesus! When you turned the tables over – what a day!
I’d like to go to Washington and do it that way, like you.
This corporate government won’t do.

Oh, Jesus, Jesus,
Where did we lose the love?
Too much ego,
Yeah, amigo,
It’s chokin’ that poor dove.

Oh, Jesus! You tried to teach us that the altar is within.
We got it all mixed up, and now it’s all about sin,
With an unhealthy dose of spin.

Oh, Jesus, Jesus,
Where did we lose the love?
Seems compassion’s out of fashion,
But the light’s still shining from above.

Oh, Jesus! You tried to teach us that forgiveness is the way.
Help us wake up to love, so we can honestly say
We love all humankind today.

Oh, Jesus!

 

14. Fear  (4:23)

We’re fighting a war on terror
With terror as our guide.
And terror the byproduct
The war is creating outside.

How strange that this “New Millennium”
Is just like fifty years ago.
We’re tossing around the nuclear bomb
Like we’re just playing G.I. Joe!!

CHORUS:
Fear –
What are we afraid of?
Keep running away from?
Keep buying off time after time?
Fear –
Looking over our shoulder.
Feel our hearts getting colder,
Closing our minds.

They say that today is “Code Orange” –
We’re in DANGER – Oh No!
We’d better not ask any questions.
For the good of the government, stay low.

They say they can beat all the terror,
With bombs and then more bombs, but how?
When people this world ‘round have nothing,
And we consume more than the Earth will allow.  CHORUS

BRIDGE:
Oh, we must have the courage to keep going on,
Keep asking the unanswered questions,
‘Til we stop every bomb.

I’ll tell you what I am afraid of –
That we have forgotten how to care,
Thinking money and greed will provide all we need,
And forgetting the Earth has a share.

Will fear lead us into more darkness?
Or will we let Love take the lead?
I’ve heard it can heal, I believe that is real,
And it's truly all that we need.  CHORUS

BRIDGE:
Oh, we must have the courage to keep going on,
Keep seeking those classified answers,
‘Til we stop every bomb.  ‘We must stop every bomb.

 

15. Potlucks for Peace   (2:58)

We gather together to break bread and heal,
To share our concerns and the fear that we feel.
We serve up hope that will not cease,
At this great communion, a Potluck for Peace.

We cook and we share as we fill our bowls,
We feed our minds and nourish our souls,
We open our hearts and plan our next move.
Peace is the postulate we're here to prove.

Chorus:
At Potlucks for Peace,
Gather 'round, all fears release.
Come share some food, a thought, a prayer,
For peace in our hearts, here and everywhere.

We may not have "pot", but "luck" here abounds!
As peace flows through us, from the sky to the ground.
We connect to the Earth, ourselves, and all hearts.
In a world needing peace, this is where it starts. Chorus
Here and everywhere! At Potlucks for Peace.

 

16. She Shanty 

I have sailed upon this journey
For nigh on many years.
And the salt sea has flowed
Through these weary eyes.
But as I set my sail at sunrise
On still another day.
I set my sights on clear, uncharted skies.

CHORUS:
I sing my She Shanty to the wind and the sun,
Loud and strong, may its tune sail on high!
Watch its words catch the wave,
Note and bottle do I save!
I will sing my She Shanty,
Sing it AR! Sing it AY!
Sing it AR! Sing it AY! Sing it AY!

My will is my captain, my heart the tiller steers.
My eyes on the horizon, my crew it knows no fears.
Hoist me from the bowsprit!
My keel, steady she will be.
I set a course for tomorrow,
But today is the day to be here.

CHORUS

Let the wind carry this music,
Let the harmony be its guide,
To China, to Pakistan,
Afghanistan, where women still must hide.
And though storms may toss me over,
My life boat’s here inside.
I’m free right now to be a rover,
And freedom for all women’s on the tide.

CHORUS

 

17. Left Hand of God (www.spiritualprogressives.org)  (3:58)

I want to sit at the Left Hand of God,
I want to sit at the Left Hand of God.
I want to live my life in peace,
Feel anxiety release,
In kindness, compassion and love.

Why would I go anywhere else,
If I knew my way home,
If I knew myself?

I want to sit at the Left Hand of God,
I want to sit at the Left Hand of God.

I’m gonna let the tears flow,
In joy or sadness, let them go,
Let the waters of life be set free.

At the Left Hand of God,
That’s where you’ll find me.

Won’t you join me?
Won’t you join me?

As I join with the Divine,
In a New Bottom Line,
I see forgiveness unfold all around me.
And my heart, free from sin,
Begins to let love in.

I find meaning in this life of mine,
Gonna stop and take some time,
Appreciate the grand design.
And sit at the Left Hand of God,
Sit at the Left Hand of God.

Why would I go anywhere else,
If I knew my way home,
If I knew myself?

I’m gonna sit at the Left Hand of God,
I’m gonna sit at the Left Hand of God.

The light of Heaven on my face,
I see the whole human race
Glow with generosity,
Heal all animosity,
Celebrate civility,
Embrace sustainability,
Feel the Earth’s pulse beating in our heart,
Hear it singing, “We were never apart.”

And we’ll sit at the Left Hand of God,
We’ll sit at the Left Hand of God.

Why would I go anywhere else,
If I knew my way home,
If I knew myself?

Shalom aleichem,
A salaam aleikum,
Paz, liebe, libertad,

Here at the Left Hand of God. (3x)

 

© 2006-2020 by Sharon Abreu and Michael Hurwicz
www.irthlingz.org
www.penguinsonthinice.com