Here is another one of Jones' poppier songs that has philosophical roots. In this case, the inspiration came from the Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu.
Here is the original text, from Chapter 20 (Legge translation):
When we renounce learning we have no troubles.
The ready 'yes,' and flattering 'yea'—
Small is the difference they display.
But mark their issues, good and ill—
What space the gulf between shall fill?
What all men fear is indeed to be feared; but how wide and without end is the range of questions asking to be discussed!
The multitude of men look satisfied and pleased; as if enjoying a full banquet, as if mounted on a tower in spring. I alone seem listless and still, my desires having as yet given no indication of their presence. I am like an infant which has not yet smiled. I look dejected and forlorn, as if I had no home to go to.
The ready 'yes,' and flattering 'yea'—
Small is the difference they display.
But mark their issues, good and ill—
What space the gulf between shall fill?
What all men fear is indeed to be feared; but how wide and without end is the range of questions asking to be discussed!
The multitude of men look satisfied and pleased; as if enjoying a full banquet, as if mounted on a tower in spring. I alone seem listless and still, my desires having as yet given no indication of their presence. I am like an infant which has not yet smiled. I look dejected and forlorn, as if I had no home to go to.
The multitude of men all have enough and to spare. I alone seem to have lost everything. My mind is that of a stupid man; I am in a state of chaos.
Ordinary men look bright and intelligent, while I alone seem to be benighted. They look full of discrimination, while I alone am dull and confused. I seem to be carried about as on the sea, drifting as if I had nowhere to rest.
All men have their spheres of action, while I alone seem dull and incapable, like a rude borderer. Thus I alone am different from other men, but I value the nursing-mother, the Tao.
When this tune first appeared, I knew very little about Taoism, and that was probably a good thing, since I was given the opportunity to reflect on its meaning without any intellectual baggage. Assumptions will trip us up, and the way things initially appear is not always the way they truly are.
I know many "westerners" who like to represent "eastern" traditions as if they are somehow more mystically profound because they are wrapped up in cryptic paradoxes, and yet there is never any contradiction in humbly learning how things that at one time seemed opposed can ultimately be united under a higher understanding.
Yes, there is a difference between up and down, yes and no, or here and there, though the contrast between them begins to become less and less significant as the order of the whole is gradually revealed.
Observe those who are caught in the rut of established rules and narrow fashions, and they will look so successful and confident, while they are actually quite lost regarding who they are and why they are here. If you, in turn, seek to discover what is behind all the flashy images, you will come across as quite hopeless and pathetic.
No matter. You are slowly but surely discovering that there is no need for conflict, how to flow with Nature instead of fighting against her, and why all things are reducible to the One.
—5/2007
A few words of commentary from Howard Jones:
And the song itself:
Howard Jones, "Is There a Difference?" from Dream into Action (1985)
Is there a difference between yes and no?
Is there a difference between up and down? Must I fear what others fear?
What nonsense
Some people are content
Enjoying things that belong to tradition
With the seasons they cast their lot
Without a question
Other men are clear and bright and solid
Other men are sharp and clever and jolly
And we go wo oh oh wo oh oh oh wo
Is there a difference between high and low?
Is there a difference between then and now?
Do we have to live in pain and fear?
What nonsense
People are drifting like the waves on the sea
Without direction like the restless wind
Not knowing forward not knowing back
Just existing
Other men are strong and full of courage
Other men are witty and full of knowledge
And we go wo oh oh wo oh oh wo
Other men are clear and bright and solid
I alone am drifting on the sea
Other men are sharp and clever and jolly
Restless like the wind
And we go wo oh oh wo oh oh wo
Is there a difference
Is there really a difference
Yes and no?
Is there a difference
Up and down?
Is there a difference
High and low?
Is there a difference
Then and now?
Is there a difference . . .
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