A musical message to modern US American non-MAGAt citizens from Cass Elliot--her heavenly voice unmistakable
Mama still giving good advice
I always enjoyed the music of the Mamas and the Papas (most Substackers will have to look them up—do it! I look up your musicians all the damn time) especially the solo work of Cass Elliot in part I’m sure because I was chubby and celebrated the successes of companion weight-challenged folks.
Not long ago a member of my family whom I cherish more than words could ever express was in a deep dark place. We didn't know if this family member would ever be able to break out of the series of crises that had been embraced.
I was putting some music together on my iPhone to use with water exercise, and I came across Cass Elliot's song, “There's a New World Coming.” At first I just wanted it in the collection of exercise songs, but I listened to it as I tech-fiddled.
The Mamas and the Papas: Denny Doherty, Cass Elliot, Michelle Phillips, John Phillips (photo borrowed)
It was as if the song had found its way to me for just that moment. Her remarkably pitch-perfect voice and the message she sang gave me hope; kind of an instantaneous infusion. All the angst and worry and fear that had collected in my consciousness were notified that there is indeed a new world coming—not only for my loved one, but also for all who want to find a way out of their darknesses and can live to fight. I am a southern male; senior adult—wrong generation for male tears. Crying isn’t common for me, but I sobbed as Cass kept singing.
Trying to give false hope in this time of US American danger is a disservice. All Polyannas as sweet as they may be need to take a cruise on the armored anti-ICE Love Boat for a while, provided they have proof of citizenship tattooed on their forearms and a waterproof remote control to their Ukraine-manufactured drone chained, stylishly of course, to their wrists. No one needs to have her or his thinking dominated by a required-happily-ever-after mentality. The new world comes only because we fight for it and make a place for it.
I take “world” literally here; the evils in whatever has been monstered into being by grotesque bedfellows, US politics and organized religion, could likely never have happened without counterparts in other countries of the world. So, yes, what we need really is a new world; not just a national political system repaired or Musked.
Click and listen with me.
In gratitude and healthy hope,
David Albert Farmer