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“I Am Overcome”

Anyone who knows me very well, knows that I like to consider myself a bit of a music buff. I even prefer the term aficionado. While I am not very talented with music, I do take great pride in my knowledge of music. Sometimes, certain songs just touch me or strike a chord with me that I couldn’t ever even try to explain. Because of how important music is to my life, I come across songs like that quite often.

While I have always been a fan of the band “Live,” I especially think the words Ed Kowalcyk sings in this song, and the accompanying music, have such meaning and a deep, important message for all of us. I don’t remember a time hearing this song after 9/11 when it wouldn’t bring tears to my eyes. But, not just tears, also a love and appreciation for those fighting for the freedoms we take advantage of, often without any thought at all.

I’ll never forget where I was or how I felt on September 11th, 2001. I don’t at all want to make an unfair comparison, but lately everyone has been talking about where they were when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Obviously, that being long before my time, I can’t fully relate. But in watching all the news clips from then, and hearing/reading all the discussions, for me, at least in that sense, that was 9/11.

I don’t personally know anyone who died from the terrorist attacks of that day. But, I do personally know people who did lose friends, family and other loved ones in those meaningless attacks which shook the entire nation.

I have really thought of this a lot today when looking at all the images and videos of the protests surrounding the grand jury decision in Ferguson today. Again, I don’t want to downplay either of the events. But as I watch the news and read all the reports, I think, we have enough enemies around the world trying to take away our freedoms and way of life. Why do we have to fight amongst ourselves too? Will we always be a divided nation? Remember the words of President Abraham Lincoln. While the discussion is no longer about slavery, I think his words still ring true today, just as they did back in 1858.
“A house divided against itself cannot stand… I do not expect the Union to be dissolved — I do not expect the house to fall — but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other.”

Now, here’s the video. As always, let me know what you think.

Thanks, Ed Kowalcyk and Live for this.

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