Larry Norman
The Tune
Once there was a tune and everyone knew how it went
But as time went by, people began to forget
Until at last no one could remember
And there was hatred, and wars, and death
Then one day somebody said, "How does the tune go?"
"There is no tune, there never was; it's only a myth."
These were the philosophers
"You mean there's no tune at all?"
"Well, it doesn't really matter what tune you play
As long as you play something."
These were the religious leaders
And so the world played on
And there was hatred, and wars, and death
Then one day the people became weary of this song
And they all sat down on the side of a hill
And suddenly they heard a very strange voice
And somebody said, "That sounds like the tune."
"There is no tune, there never was, there never will be."
"Well, it doesn't really matter what tune you play
As long as you play something
And you don't hurt anybody - especially me."
But the people listened
And a man appeared before them
With a smile on his face
And a sad look, too
And he was singing the tune
And some of the people began to sing along
And the people who loved Him
Decided to follow him
But the people who hated him
Decided to kill him
And they did
And when it was finished
They went back to their houses of philosophy and religion
And they sat down to their tables to eat and drink
Suddenly, they were interrupted by a familiar voice
And they ran to their windows and looked outside
To see who it was. It was him
And they became confused and afraid
And they wondered how they could be rid of him
Once and for all
And while they were watching him
Something very strange happened
"How did he do that?"
"I don't really know, but he's gone...
And when trouble goes, you don't ask where
He'll never return again. I hope
" Yet again they were interrupted
This time they ran out into the streets to lay hold of him
But they couldn't find him
Just a lot of people smiling
And they all know the tune
And when the people made a mistake
They stopped and they listened
That's how they knew the tune
Because they listened
And if you listen, you'll hear it
It's all around you
Just listen to your radio
Watch television
Listen to your leaders, to the authorities
To the governments, to the experts
But if you really listen
You can hear another tune
But you have to listen quietly
And you have to listen every day