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Imagine all the people Living life in peace
One of my most valued possessions is the “The Hamlyn Childrens History Of The World” book I got as a gift from my dad when I was ten. I still have it today, cover is a little battered, but the book is intact.
“The Introduction of the book stated the following:
History is but the dismal tale of different people of different nations making the same mistakes.
It can be the record of never ending efforts by bigger and stronger people to dominate smaller and weaker ones.
So far in the story of the world no civilized people has yet entirely rid itself of it’s savage characteristics.
In many ways it must seem that Man has in fact progressed very little since his great transformation from barbarism into a civilized state six or seven thousand years ago. Despite technological achievements such as lunar landings, nuclear power, transplant surgery, and computer control, there are still such things as slavery, racial intolerance, injustice, religious persecution, and exploitation of minorities.”
What a summary of the world we live in, in a children’s history book! What a gift about the world from a father.
In this light, John Lennon’s “Imagine” is so insightful and a brilliant masterpiece! He is an amazing thinker and visionary. MLTs cover of Imagine is so incredibly moving and beautiful, would make John proud.
I love the new MLT songs, that brilliantly capture and express the issues in our world today. I love that Mona and Lisa are not afraid to express what they believe in and stand for in their music, just like John Lennon. For me, “Jump Ship”, “I Bought Myself a Politician”, “Summer Rain” are songs in the realm of “Imagine”. I love their new music and the visionary artists they are.
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16 Replies
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Hi Jung,
the introduction from the children’s book unfortunately portrays the world as it is: madness dominates reason, greed displaces charity, and the hunger for power kills humanity. This is the sad legacy that we carry within us. If it wins, we can only lose. Or as Yoda put it so well: “Anger, fear, aggression. The dark side are they. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny.”
The songs you mentioned by Mona and Lisa are very beautiful and the critical lyrics are thought provoking. A nice contrast to „I wanna hold your hand“ (although that’s important too, of course). But if I understood Mona and Lisa correctly, they don’t want to be understood as political at all.
Jumpship actually describes very nicely how I feel at the moment. Often I want to say: Stop the world, I want to get out:
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But if I understood you correctly, you want to convey a hopeful mood, so I would like to end my contribution with the following idea: Let us sow the seeds of love
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Hi Jurgen, thanks for the videos, I enjoyed them. The Tears For Fears song has a Beatles “I Am The Walrus” ring to it, but such a positive song. I agree, songs like these are thought provoking indeed, and to expand on your point….
The Hamlyn’s Children’s Book might come across as overly gloomy for a children’s book introducing the history of the world for 10 years old children. In fairness to the author, after the statements he made citing other historians, he goes on to state:
“You can say that history is the story of groups of people in different parts of the world developing, over the centuries, some in common with other people and some uniquely original and individual. I prefer the last approach because I believe it to be the most satisfactory on with which to summarize the story of the world for young readers…”
I think though anyone who has studied history or has a general interest in it cannot ignore the conflict, violence, hatred, corruption, domination, and oppression of peoples that continue to happen century after century since the beginning of human civilization, even now. But hope and faith in what we believe in is the future for the possibility of a better world. I believe artists and great minds like John Lennon, Beethoven, Einstein…and the like through their art and insight call out issues and injustices in this world and give us hope for a better world through their craft. Mona and Lisa, great artists they are, do the same with their music.
I think many great artists and scientists through history are enlightened, and shine a bright light on the world around us to reveal the issues and injustices plaguing the world and lead the world along to a brighter future. I don’t think artists who express what they see wrong in the world around them are being political, but rather enlightened.
Mona and Lisa are enlightened, just listen to Jump Ship.
Anyway, that’s my 2 cents on that subject. ????
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This is a song I learned and sang in Elementary school, a great teacher. One of my favourite songs throughout my life, in the realm of Imagine. I think a song that goes hand in hand when learning about history of humanity.
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Jung, I’m happy for you that you were able to keep such a positive view of the world. George Orwell, Ray Bradbury or Heinrich Mann: pessimistic realists or realistic pessimists? I don’t want to delve further into the topic for myself, for that I would have to go very far, and become political. This isn’t the right place for it. Instead, I’ll just quote my grandma: („Geld regiert die Welt“) „Money rules the world“. Mona and Lisa recognized that well in their song. At the moment there is a lot of money on the way and that is moving a lot, unfortunately not always for the better…
…and last but not least: a happy song with a serious note:
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We just lost a wonderful and important person. Queen Elizabeth II has passed. Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a few minutes ago, put it best: “She was one of my favorite people in the world and I will miss her so”.
Deepest sympathies to everyone in Great Britain and in the Commonwealth. May Her Majesty rest in peace.
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God Bless The Queen
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Hi Christopher, I echo your sentiments about Queen Elizabeth, and condolences to all in the UK, she will be missed. Of all the leaders in this world, she was one of the greatest beacons of goodness and justice. She was the same age as my parents and always was a source of inspiration and hope for me through the years.
In honour of the Queen.
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I remember back in April 2020 when the world felt like it was spiraling out of control in the grips Covid and lockdowns, Queen Elizabeth’s message was so comforting and gave strength. I will never forget this speech, and the hope I felt afterwards. This was Queen Elizabeth II legacy. Inspiring hope and strength during tribulations.
“We will succeed, and that success will belong to everyone of us. We should take comfort, while we may have more still to endure, better days will return. We will meet again”
What an enduring message of hope and strength for the world and for the future ahead. Imagine.
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Here is a little fun fact, well one that is of fond interest for me.
While Queen Elizabeth II was a Princess, her parents (The Queen Mother and King George VI) gifted her a burgundy Parker 51 fountain pen with a gold cap. The story goes she has been using it since the 1950s when she became Queen and was always with her in her purse, a cherished gift from her parents. She may have signed important public documents with other pens presented to her, but this was her personal pen she used all the time.
I inked up my vintage 1950s burgundy with gold cap Parker 51 today, in her honour. I only learned of this story after I acquired this pen a few years ago.
Parker manufactured pens for the UK market in their UK factory back then, so that is why she was gifted a Parker I presume. At one point when she broke her pen in half by accident, Parker repaired it for her. It’s little facts like this that makes a public figure more human.
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Anyway, I digress, back to the topic of this post. This is what I really wanted to share, this video about John Lennon and his legacy that is so moving! It shows how powerful music can be, and the message it is meant to express, and it’s a virtue when artists can use their talent and craft to try to make this world a better place. The last 10 seconds of the video with Paul is so heartwarming.
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Jung, you did not digress when you wrote about the Queen and her Parker pen. You have a link, especially since fountain pens are a passion of yours. Hope you use it only to sign good documents and to write happy correspondence.
It is always easy to see that Mona and Lisa love the pen and pen-related gifts that you send them. It perfectly fits their hobby of journalizing. I am certain that your pens have been the source of music, lyrics, and video ideas.
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JumpShip is one of the Twins very special new ones. I am not keeping up . I may not be getting notifications. I hope everyone is well.
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Hi Christopher, that would be pretty awesome if one of those pens had a small part in Mona and Lisa’s song writing process! Thanks for the kind words.
I find it interesting that even now in this digital age, how one’s signature via ink on paper is still very important, and continues to be an important ritual that is performed, be it at your bank or special occasion ceremony. I loved seeing the ceremonial signing the other day of King Charles III Proclamation ceremony. Apparently according to accounts from the fountain pen community, Prince William and Harry gifted a couple of fancy ink crystal ink wells for the special occasion for their father to use. King Charles reached for his personal fountain pen, twisted the cap off, and inked it in the fancy inkwell to do sign the Proclamation document.
Someone’s handwritten signature is still valued highly representing something very personal about the person, a scribble on paper that was physically created by hand is very personal and special. When you write a thought or feeling down on paper, you kind of make it reality in a sense. A physical mark in this world. I loved seeing Mona and Lisa receiving Paul McCartney, and later George and John’s hand written signatures for Christmas and on their Birthday. I dream one day to meet Mona and Lisa and have them sign in my journal!
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Hi Tom. Yeah, I am loving Jump Ship, it’s such a wonderful and irresistible song I can’t get enough of these days. The vocals, melody, and lyrics are so intriguing and thought provoking. It’s another masterpiece I can’t wait for them to release to the world. The album is getting more and more incredible with every new song.
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Imagine music unites hearts: Wherever you live, whatever your name is and wherever you may go.
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