Whoever is unjust Let him be unjust still Whoever is righteous Let him be righteous still Listen to the words long written down When the man comes around.

In this song, there's no optimism, no ray of light, and the salvation that comes from above is apocalyptic -- well-suited, it seems, to our own desperate political moment:

Til' Armageddon, no Salaam, no Shalom The father hen will call his chickens home The wise men will bow down before the throne And at his feet they'll cast their golden crowns When the man comes around.

Johnny Cash died on September 12th, 2003, just four months after his wife. I wore black.

[1]       [2]       [3]       4

Related articles:

The Other Rally Samuel Hayim Brody
Confrontation and cooperation in the face of odious leaders
February, 2003

I'm Hearing Music from a Different Time Zeek staff
Zeek remembers Joe Strummer
January, 2003

Quality of Life Jay Michaelson
What my grandmother's suffering teaches
January, 2003

Eminem & Class Rage Dan Friedman
Will the star of 8 Mile be America's next working class hero?
December, 2002

Mix Tape vs. Mix CD Bex Schwartz
A Eulogy for the Soul of Rock & Roll
November, 2002

The Long Winters' Indie Sincerity Bex Schwartz
Real life & real music from John Roderick & Co.
June, 2002

What's your point? Samuel Hayim Brody
A WEF Protester Tells You Why He Bothers
March, 2002

Upright Values Dan Friedman
Cinema can help expose ourselves to the world, or it can seduce us to sit back and relax.
February, 2002

Seeing Dylan and/or Divine Revelation Jay Michaelson
Two related theories about Bob Dylan, or, a review of his November 19, 2001 show, in which divine revelation plays a significant role.
December, 2001