Just finished reading "John Adams" by David McCullough. Brilliant Book. I have a new hero. I am greatly impressed with the integrity of the man. He is a genuine hero and example to follow. I highly recommend the book. Now the only question is what to read next. I have lately been hooked on biographies. I recently read Ghandi's autobiography. Though it was very interesting, it isn't nearly as impressive as the book on Adams. McCullough says that there are well over 1,000 letters between John and Abigail. Too bad they couldn't twitter or email or something.
Ok, So here's my entry in the Ogden Nature Center song writing contest for earth day. Mark Randall and I will be performing this sometime between 11:00 and 12:30 on Saturday, April 16th at the center on 12th Street in Ogden. You can hear some old guy sing the song by clicking on the link under "MP3 Audio Files" to the right.
Riders on This Planet
As children we did ever want to spend our time in play
The things around us we did use to bring us joy each day
The world was ours and all its wealth provided for our ease
The animals and plants were there for all our wants to please
(CHORUS)
But as we grew and learned about the resources we had
The planet became kin to us, just like a mom or dad
And all the life around us was responsive to our care
Through tenderness and love the earth would all its blessings share
(CHORUS)
So humankind now fill the world, and everywhere are found
And now it is required of us to nourish well the ground
To nurture and to beautify and care for all we see
The destiny of life is our responsibility
(CHORUS)
CHORUS:
We are riders on this planet, on this beautiful green earth
God has blessed us with our lives here, we have lived here since our birth
Precious water, land and air here, clean and pure through nature's strife
May we labor to preserve them and the quality of life
A lion did walk through the jungle lush
He was takin' his time, wasn't in a rush
He was thinkin' he was special, he was quite the thing
He was mean and he was fierce, he was the Jungle King
He came to a monkey swingin' there in the trees
And he snagged his tail and began to squeeze
Then the monkey was scared, knew not what to do
And he wondered if the lion on his face would chew
Then the lion roared out, and made a huge request
"Of the beasts in the jungle just who is the best?"
Then the monkey called out and his voice did sing
“It's you mighty lion, you're the jungle king!”
So the lion left the monkey and he went on his way
Then he came to a fox he thought to make his prey
And he chased the fox to a great big tree
Where he couldn't get away and he couldn't get free
Then the lion roared out, very loud and long
“Of the beasts in the jungle who's the very most strong?”
Then the fox barked out and his voice did ring
“It's you mighty lion, you're the jungle king!”
So the lion left the fox, he was feelin' pretty fine
When he saw a big bear on which he thought to dine
He leapt out front where the bear did walk
And confronted him there with ferocious talk
Then the lion roared out, he was all out riled
“Of the beasts in the jungle, who's most fierce and wild?”
Then the big bear bellowed and the air did sting
“It's you mighty lion, you're the jungle king!”
Then the lion walked on and was feelin' mighty tough
When an elephant came out struttin' his stuff
And he blocked the path where the lion strode
Then the lion got mad and his anger showed
Then the lion roared out to the elephant there
“Of the beasts in the jungle, who's the biggest scare?”
But the big gray beast didn't say a thing
'Bout the mighty lion or the jungle king
But instead reached out with his mighty long trunk
And he batted the lion like he was a punk
Then again and again the lion he did swat
Then his great big feet on the lion did trot
Then the lion roared out, he was hurtin' really bad
“Why'd ya go and do that, you don't have to get all mad
Just 'Cause ya don't know the answer to the question I did bring
'Bout the mighty lion and the jungle king.”
