Here’s the second installment in my project to relocate anything I think might be worth saving from my old web site. For a few years there I got the idea that maybe I had some talent for poetry and song writing. The song writing bit is a little out there since I never learned music, not to mention anything about the quality of the lyrics. J This one was meant to be done to a driving dance beat with synthesized electric guitar providing a dark background. I’ll spare you any attempt at describing what I’m hearing in my head.

I think this marks the beginning of my dissatisfaction with all the ritual of traditional church services, regardless of flavor. The pastor at the time liked to have us all join hands at some point in the service, and it always struck me as contrived community. We would all stand there holding hands for what seemed like forever as he went on and on. Disheartened and longing for even a glimpse of the things that once drew me to that body, I wrote this.

Let’s All Hold Hands

Let’s all get together.
Let’s sing a song.
Let’s listen to the preacher
Tell us right from wrong.
Let’s all get together.
Let’s all shake hands.
I will tell you that I love you
But don’t make demands.

Let’s all hold hands.
That’s what the man said.
Let’s all hold hands
Looking solemn as the dead.
Let’s all hold hands
Until the monologue ends.
Let’s all hold hands
And pretend we’re friends.

Let’s all get together
Over here and over there.
Behind invisible walls
in the room we share.
Let’s all get together
And go our separate ways.
Let’s all get together
In another seven days.

Let’s all hold hands.
That’s what the man said.
Let’s all hold hands
Looking solemn as the dead.
Let’s all hold hands
Until the monologue ends.
Let’s all hold hands
And pretend we’re friends.

Let’s all get together.
Did somebody sneeze?
Let’s all get together
And spread the disease.
We’re so glad that you could join us.
If you stay here long.
One of us may take you in
And you can learn our song.
Let’s all get together
But not too near.
Under synthetic fragrances
we hide the smell of fear.

Let’s all hold hands.
That’s what the man said.
Let’s all hold hands
Looking solemn as the dead.
Let’s all hold hands
Until the monologue ends.
Let’s all hold hands
And pretend we’re friends.

© 2001 Larry Thacker Jr.