Level 42, "Freedom Someday"

As a reference for Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 12.30:

That beautiful chorus, both the music and the lyrics, remains deeply lodged in my memory. At the worst of times, it will pop back into my thinking, and I will sing along for just a moment, just in my own head. I inevitably feel better; these are not the worst of times at all.

. . . paint the planet red
or black and blue instead
but we are one world

I know I am getting too old, but it still seems to me that they don't write songs like this anymore. It may be more about me changing than the world changing, though I recall when I could listen to Top 40 radio without hearing about shooting someone, or buying and selling sex, or posing and posturing.

I hope it just means I've finally been growing up a bit.

Level 42, "Freedom Someday", from Running in the Family (1987)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brqApsUrsoY

I'm not chasing miracles
I don't want no sympathy
I'm waiting for the world
to keep me company
thinking 'bout the universe
trying to keep my fears at bay
and all I'm hoping for
is for someone else to want to say

Freedom someday—are you ready to make the deal
Freedom someday—freedom to live for real

I don't want no money
but buddy, can you spare the time of day
'cause silence is, I'm sure
the highest price we pay
I don't wish my troubles on anyone
but I can wish them well
so I'm knocking on your door
'cause there's something I would like to say

Freedom someday—I'm ready to make the deal
Freedom someday—freedom to live for real

Somehow life goes on
but when it's said and done
it's such a bitter pill
when you think the battle's won
you hear the distant guns
of all those fighting still
the battle's in our heads
one we alway lose
whichever side we choose
we can paint the planet red
or black and blue instead
but we are one world

I'm not chasing miracles
but I don't choose to be this way
now all I'm hoping for
is for someone else to hear me say

Freedom someday—are you ready to make the deal
Freedom someday—freedom to live for real

Freedom someday—a life we won't have to steal
Freedom someday—freedom to live for real 

And if our time has come
and if our race is run
who will pay the bill
when you think the battle's won
you hear the distant guns
of all those fighting still
but the battle's in our heads
one we always lose
whichever side we choose
paint the planet red
or black and blue instead
but we are one world. 

Somehow life's going on
but when it's said and done
it's such a bitter pill
when you think the battle's won
you hear the distant guns
of all those fighting still
the battle's in our heads
one we alway lose
whichever side we choose
we can paint the planet red
or black and blue instead
but we are one world. . . .