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I wake up each morning in the newsroom that doubles as my bedroom, which doubles as my closet. I spread the paper thick and neat, and I get to writing. Of strikes in Chicago, fires in New York, and unrest in Rome. I get to the point and move on.
All we ask is for your sympathy.
All we ask is your attention.
I'm up late each evening cleaning the dishes, Tamar at my knee and Peter at the table reading a book or two or three, when he gets to talking. Of leaving this city and taking the worst off, taking them all with us, just over that bending river.
Now the Worker is placed on every corner. Most every school and building has their own Workers waiting for them. Sold them for a pittance. It would be a pity to miss it.
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2. |
Augustine
02:36
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Bob Dylan dreamed that he saw me, alive as he. And Calvin thought, 'There's a man to be.' Bob Dylan dreamed of a white light—or was that Lou Reed? And Calvin said, "There's a man to be."
All the greatest of minds tend to dream of me. Why that is, I'm not sure. And the best of all writers, they cite from me, from Confessions: Chapter Four.
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Fannie Lou Hamer
02:15
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We had the windows down, we had our heads held high. We sang our favorite songs, the wind was in our hair.
We’re on our way to Indianola.
A half-hour drive down old 49—it can change your life. It surely changed mine.
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Thérèse
02:59
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I woke up with a mouthful of blood. I pushed the stained sheets back. You would have thought there was a flood. I woke up with a pounding in my chest and a ringing in my ears. You would have thought that I’d protest.
I let fall a shower of roses.
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5. |
Jimmy Carter
04:37
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Flannery was right, it’s much harder to believe. And Tillich was right.
I have found it’s much harder to do right. Doubt, fear and worry—and unbelief.
O what sweet relief I found in Mark 9:23-4. I gave a sigh.
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6. |
César Chávez
03:11
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Took out a home equity loan on my brother Richard’s house. My wife pacing, on the phone, wearing her favorite pink blouse.
I’m in the spotlight, made the headlines. To get to me, let’s leave the city.
A blood moon in the sky and I saw visions in my sleep. As a child, I learned not to ask why there was nothing I could keep.
We slept in sleeping bags under the cloudless California sky.
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7. |
Kitty Ferguson
02:58
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Niels Bohr challenged physics, challenged science. Nothing can be known in itself. He taught us something new. Not all parts can be measured at once.
Then Kitty spoke to us. Nothing can be known. Assurance can’t be found, it comes to you. She taught us something new. Not all things can be measured.
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8. |
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My wife and I drive to Catonsville, homemade napalm in our laps. Sun soaked and happy, we spill cherry cola on the map. My wife and I talk about the years, philosophy and its limits. Though we’re off to federal prison, there’ll be conjugal visits.
The two of us talk of having kids. Some great parents we would make. "Take it back. Those TV families are bullshit, they’re fake." We fix ourselves in the rearview mirror, my hairline receding every day. She shakes her head, she says to me: "I like you this way. . . and there’ll be conjugal visits."
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9. |
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The shock of my husband walking out knocked the wind out of me. It was too much to bear. I needed help from a friend and you gave it.
In 1991, you stuck your neck out for some kids—nameless, hiding in a crowd. They needed help from a friend and they found it.
A daughter of Bilitis, a son of Mattachine, you were the light from Christ’s side. A sign for the living.
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10. |
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
03:30
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I was curled up on the floor when the window shattered. Cold air rushing in. Counted seconds on my watch, saw the fires start to spread. The smoke rushing out.
And what would I do, if I were here with you?
And what would I say?
It doesn’t matter anyway.
I was up smoking a cigarette when the curtains were thrown open. The night spilling in. And I thought about you, I thought I might see you bathed in light.
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The Chairman Dances Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Band/mystics (indie rock & folk from Philly)
The Chairman Dances recommends:
Luke & Ashley are two of the greatest musical minds I know. (The Chairman Dances' recordings are significantly better because of their involvement.) This record of theirs is incredible. -EK
go to album
No One's Ever Changed
by Spelling Reform
The best band I know. Its members (friends of ours) are kind and good looking to boot. -EK
go to album
Thy Tender Care
by Harrison Lemke
Harrison is a truly excellent songwriter. I love everything of his, but this, his most recent album, is particularly compelling and lovely. -EK
go to albumIf you like The Chairman Dances, you may also like:
Forever Only Idaho
by Harrison Lemke
supported by 4 fans who also own “Time Without Measure”
Current frontrunner for my favorite project of 2021. I stay putting people onto this album
go to album
This Living Act
by Conor Kenahan
Gentle melodies rub up against toothy guitars on the latest indie opus from Conor Kenahan.
go to album
Sit Resist (Remastered Deluxe Edition)
by Laura Stevenson
Stevenson's out-of-print sophomore album will be reissued with a special edition double vinyl LP.
go to album
