Jeremiah 3:18 In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.
Oh Friends, oh Friends, the actions of our magnificent God, never cease to amaze me! Today, while watching some hockey, I decided to play some music too, so I turned on my C.D player. The disc that began playing was titled, ‘The Very Best of Dobie Grey.’ Some of you might remember him; a Black American R&B singer who had hits like ‘Drift Away’ and ‘The In Crowd’ in the 70’s or 80’s. This music has to be at least twenty or more years old, and I’ve played it often enough, but today Friends, my attention was suddenly drawn to this particular song. The first time I listened to the lyrics, I was mystified and wondered , ‘How come I never heard this before?’ And after three listens, I finally got the message. All I could say then was, ‘Thank you Lord for Today’s Bit.’ Now though, I had to find the scripture to fit it. But I should have known better than to be overly concerned, ‘oh ye of little faith’ (smile) for when I read the scripture for my Mother later on, there it was, all neatly wrapped in Jeremiah 3:18. There’s nothing that grabs the ole fella’s heart like a beautiful, well orchestrated piece of music, surrounding positive, meaningful words. Oh children, you know how the ole fella gets when he hears a sweet piece of soul music! But enough of my gushing people, just listen to these words, sung in a strong, heart rending voice by Dobie Grey, accompanied by a full orchestra, and a choir singing soulful harmony in the background. The song ‘s called ‘Streets of Fire.’ Enjoy! ‘Have you heard the song of silence, filling up the night? Have you watched the flames of anger burn? Something isn’t right. But you and I can stop the madness. Doesn’t matter who’s to blame. No. Together we can change, Streets of fire, to peaceful roads. Cease all the violence, let the healing waters flow. The veil of hatred can be lifted from our eyes, when the mighty gates of LOVE open wide. Well in the heartless feud and violence, oh the many stand to lose. We can rise above indifference, or all stand accused. Faith can move mountains, but the faithful must be strong, along the way, as we journey on, Streets of fire, to peaceful roads. Cease all the violence, let the healing waters flow. The veil of hatred, can be lifted from our eyes, when the mighty gates of LOVE open wide. There will always be someone, who just won’t agree. But your LOVE and my LOVE, can take us down, these Streets of fire, to peaceful roads. Why can’t we cease all the violence, and let the healing waters flow? The veil of hatred can be lifted from our eyes, O when the mighty gates of LOVE open wide…when the mighty gates of LOVE open wide. Streets of fire…to peaceful roads…Streets of fire…to peaceful roads.’ Yes Friends, it’s disconcerting that words written so long ago, are still so applicable and relevant today. Nothing much has changed. We’re still fighting each other, for no good reason; The veil of hatred hasn’t been lifted, we only talk peace, but never do much to make it happen, cause war and hatred are more profitable. Whatever happened to that promise, ‘In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together…’ When will brother stop killing brother? The Lord won’t just wave a wand and make it disappear. We have to wake up and do it ourselves. When will we realize that in the continuous violence and blood letting no one wins? Oh Friends, let’s take these words to heart nuh. We have to stop the madness, cease the senseless, stupid violence. Lift that veil of hatred, not only from our eyes but even more importantly from our children’s. You’ll notice that racial and religious tensions are increasing, not decreasing. Oh Friends, we’ll never inherit that bountiful land the Lord’s promised us, until we walk together down those streets of fire, allowing the healing waters to flow down them, till they’re quenched, and we open those mighty gates of LOVE that lead to peaceful roads. Let’s do it for our children’s sake nuh…and soon too. Much LOVE!…we can do it…if we really try…
Oh Friends, oh Friends, the actions of our magnificent God, never cease to amaze me! Today, while watching some hockey, I decided to play some music too, so I turned on my C.D player. The disc that began playing was titled, ‘The Very Best of Dobie Grey.’ Some of you might remember him; a Black American R&B singer who had hits like ‘Drift Away’ and ‘The In Crowd’ in the 70’s or 80’s. This music has to be at least twenty or more years old, and I’ve played it often enough, but today Friends, my attention was suddenly drawn to this particular song. The first time I listened to the lyrics, I was mystified and wondered , ‘How come I never heard this before?’ And after three listens, I finally got the message. All I could say then was, ‘Thank you Lord for Today’s Bit.’ Now though, I had to find the scripture to fit it. But I should have known better than to be overly concerned, ‘oh ye of little faith’ (smile) for when I read the scripture for my Mother later on, there it was, all neatly wrapped in Jeremiah 3:18. There’s nothing that grabs the ole fella’s heart like a beautiful, well orchestrated piece of music, surrounding positive, meaningful words. Oh children, you know how the ole fella gets when he hears a sweet piece of soul music! But enough of my gushing people, just listen to these words, sung in a strong, heart rending voice by Dobie Grey, accompanied by a full orchestra, and a choir singing soulful harmony in the background. The song ‘s called ‘Streets of Fire.’ Enjoy! ‘Have you heard the song of silence, filling up the night? Have you watched the flames of anger burn? Something isn’t right. But you and I can stop the madness. Doesn’t matter who’s to blame. No. Together we can change, Streets of fire, to peaceful roads. Cease all the violence, let the healing waters flow. The veil of hatred can be lifted from our eyes, when the mighty gates of LOVE open wide. Well in the heartless feud and violence, oh the many stand to lose. We can rise above indifference, or all stand accused. Faith can move mountains, but the faithful must be strong, along the way, as we journey on, Streets of fire, to peaceful roads. Cease all the violence, let the healing waters flow. The veil of hatred, can be lifted from our eyes, when the mighty gates of LOVE open wide. There will always be someone, who just won’t agree. But your LOVE and my LOVE, can take us down, these Streets of fire, to peaceful roads. Why can’t we cease all the violence, and let the healing waters flow? The veil of hatred can be lifted from our eyes, O when the mighty gates of LOVE open wide…when the mighty gates of LOVE open wide. Streets of fire…to peaceful roads…Streets of fire…to peaceful roads.’ Yes Friends, it’s disconcerting that words written so long ago, are still so applicable and relevant today. Nothing much has changed. We’re still fighting each other, for no good reason; The veil of hatred hasn’t been lifted, we only talk peace, but never do much to make it happen, cause war and hatred are more profitable. Whatever happened to that promise, ‘In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together…’ When will brother stop killing brother? The Lord won’t just wave a wand and make it disappear. We have to wake up and do it ourselves. When will we realize that in the continuous violence and blood letting no one wins? Oh Friends, let’s take these words to heart nuh. We have to stop the madness, cease the senseless, stupid violence. Lift that veil of hatred, not only from our eyes but even more importantly from our children’s. You’ll notice that racial and religious tensions are increasing, not decreasing. Oh Friends, we’ll never inherit that bountiful land the Lord’s promised us, until we walk together down those streets of fire, allowing the healing waters to flow down them, till they’re quenched, and we open those mighty gates of LOVE that lead to peaceful roads. Let’s do it for our children’s sake nuh…and soon too. Much LOVE!…we can do it…if we really try…
SCRIP-BITS 
Mar 04, 2014 @ 12:39:56
Cant agree more with this post and the song itself. Both very well written and sad reflections of the state we find ourselves in as people.