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09 The Fight for Jerusalem (2016)

by Bumy Goldson

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1.
Clear away the thorns from the foot of the ladder The mocking tones, the fancy phones and chatter This ladder stands not on a mountain's peak But right here at the crossroads where I sleep Ein zeh ki im beis Elokim V'zeh shar hashamayim Climbing up the ladder in my dream Kol harotze la'alos l'Yirushalayim Stay away, they warn, from the foot of the ladder Don't you think this cage is so much better? They dazzled me with flashing lights and spinning sounds Knocked me out, off my feet and dragged me down Climbing up the ladder in my dream Kol harotze la'alos l'Yirushalayim I looked for ways to climb far and wide The Gate of Heaven I couldn't find I turned back home and opened up the door Standing there, the Gate of Heaven on the floor Ein zeh ki im beis Elokim V'zeh shar hashamayim Climbing up the ladder in my dream Kol harotze la'alos l'Yirushalayim
2.
Touch a stone, change the world This is a special place No where else in the world Has this kind of taste Touch a stone and write your name The world will never be the same One guy drives to work one day Another has a fit "You can't drive today," he shouts "You'll burn down in the pit!" In his anger he grabs a stone In a flash a camera snaps In a picture the rock is thrown And in the caption his name in caps Touch a stone, change the world This is a special place No where else in the world Has this kind of taste Touch a stone and write your name The world will never be the same One guy drives to work one day Another explodes with strife "You're occupying my land!" He shouts "You'll pay me with your life!" In his anger he grabs a stone In a flash a camera snaps In a picture the rock is thrown Touch a stone, change the world This is a special place No where else in the world Has this kind of taste Touch a stone and write your name The world will never be the same Come on guys, can't we get along? In the plaza a young man stands Feeling overwhelmed by it all With eyes closed he prays to G-d And reaches forward towards the wall In a moment he touches stone In a flash his heart explodes In his tears his soul will fly His world is changing with his cry Touch a stone, change the world This is a special place No where else in the world Has this kind of taste Touch a stone and write your name The world will never be the same
3.
All six days I earn money Work so hard for my family But on Saturday I tend To my flowers in the garden What's wrong with that? I ask What's wrong with that? Shabbos is a day of rest From all the driving mess A chance to get to the source The purpose of Creation Designed by the One Who knows best All the rest is just imagination A little switch on the wall One small flick, no work at all Who cares if you turn it on Connected to an atom bomb What's wrong with that? I ask What's wrong with that? Shabbos is a day of rest From all the driving mess A chance to get to the source The purpose of Creation Designed by the One Who knows best All the rest is just imagination This guy works so hard he's never home And when he is it's on the phone So they go out to enjoy a meal But he's talking 'bout the next big deal What's wrong with that? I ask What's wrong with that? Shabbos is a day of rest From all the driving mess A chance to get to the source The purpose of Creation Designed by the One Who knows best All the rest is just imagination
4.
Do you ever feel stressed out, frustrated, confused? Does nothing have meaning and you don't know what to do? Does the craze of social media make you distracted and tired? Does the pressure from work build up till you wish you were fired? Well, it's the latest, greatest breakthrough in technology, Scientific, futuristic, advanced form of energy, Computers have discovered an answer like no other, Shabbos is the key to a life of quality, Be by far the smartest at our upgraded facilities, Realistic and holistic training for efficiency, We'll map out your brain waves, matched to your DNA, Shabbos is the key of balanced harmony, It's a beautiful day and a chance to get focused, Get grounded and centered and back to the basics, Be relaxed and meditative, reflect and contemplative, Be alert and energized, powered up, rejuvenated! Well, it's the latest, greatest... Be your true self, live the life you've always dreamed, With your creative juices flowing imagine the possibilities, Besides getting all the rest you know that you deserve, You'll unlock all the ancient secrets of the universe! Well, it's the latest, greatest...
5.
They voted the public bus, Won't run on Shabbos, She said that only affects the poor, A car they can't afford, So she pushed a law that bars, Cabinet Members in their cars, So, they too can feel, What the poor people feel, Thank you Mrs. Zandberg, For your contribution, For your helping hand, For Shabbos in the Land, Now, they too can taste, The wonderful gift of Shabbos, Now, they can understand, The beauty they've spread through the Land, Only rich car owners going to the beach, Why should they suffer, chasing a dream? Why should only poor riders of the bus, Enjoy the beauty of Shabbos? For this move that can't be beat, It was worth giving Meretz every seat, Every little thing that you do, Hashem counts as merits for you, So many merits for you! Thank you Mrs. Zandberg...
6.
Oh, the words have a ring, it's so obvious, Don't have to explain anything, "The Back of the Bus", Would that our fight be something like yours, We'd all get up right and walk out the door, On screaming billboards you pay to disgrace, And then to accuse us, what a terrible mistake, We have pride in our families so we protect our eyes, While Man's true nature you wish to disguise, When will you see how much power you have? You defame the small people then the world shoots you back, You rightfully cry, "They accuse wrongfully!" But you still deny that we should be free, Oh, the words have a ring, a forgone conclusion, Don't have to explain anything, "Occupation", When terrorists strike, they call it a clash, But when our soldiers must fight there's a huge backlash, So they walk on the back of the bus and do whatever they wish, Then Israel's accused of inciting violence, It's measure for measure, isn't it obvious? We've come full circle at the back of the bus, When will you see... It's an old trick you think from which we can't escape, When we criticize, you accuse us of hate, When we believe what is right we stand up for what's true, And we won't be selfish, we'll let you try it too! When will you see... Maybe you'll try now to let us be free.
7.
The Status Quo is changing, There's nothing you can do, The Status Quo is changing That's what's in the news, You want to live your life, Simply without strife, But the Status Quo is changing, Ain't it tough being a Jew? In the beginning of twenty-fourteen, The government said "We're gonna change things," In the name of education, excuses are found, To take money and boys from the playground, The State was born on a deal that you could live your lives, But we believe in progress so we always change our minds, The Status Quo is changing... Then came down the rockets from out of their schools, We tried to hit them back but that's against the rules, Then the U.S. threatens, "No more defense! No more speeches!" Or else you're on your own, no more money for leeches! Obama says to Bibi, "You’re worried about your State," "But I can't help forever, things can't stay the same," The Status Quo is changing... And in twenty-fifteen people struck in the street, The world understands with great sympathy, "What do you expect? You didn't know it’s a crime," "To pray to your G-d and to live your life?" It’s OK to strike because we really know, When you climb the Temple Mountain you’re changing the Status Quo, The Status Quo is changing... I don't know, you might like change, But I like when things stay the same.
8.
Once upon a time there was a farm, And in it there lived a horse in the barn, One day, he went out to take a walk, But he forgot his way and got lost, Meanwhile, the barn fell into disarray, A snake came along and started to say, "This barn has been sent by providence, And in it I'll take up my residence," Well, many a year passed when, lo and behold! The horse found his way back, battered and cold, The farmer had pity on his wounds and scars, And let him take up his old place in the barn, Late that night, when all were asleep, The horse woke up, he heard something creep, Startled, he saw the snake who then said, "Pardon me, but I think you're sleeping in my bed!" He hissed and he leapt and a struggle ensued, And a miracle, the horse caught the snake by his shoe, The noise woke up the farmer who came and he said, "Cut it out you two! Now go back to bed!" They returned to their places, tired from the fight, But you can probably guess no one slept that night, The horse in the hay, he trembled and squatted, The snake in the rafters, he sat and he plotted, Next morning, as the farmer's wife watered her flowers, She remarked how the horse sits there and cowers, The snake called out, "Madam! You know why he's in fright?" "'Cuz he ate up your rose bush in the middle of the night!" The horse jumped up, the wife ran to check, And sure enough, the bush was a terrible wreck, The snake whispered, "If you want my advice, listen to see," "Bring your camera tonight at half past three," That night, after all went to sleep, The snake snuck to the shed where the farmer would keep, All his rakes and his shovels but he needed one thing, Back to the rafters, a bucket to bring, At three thirty sharp he heard a noise outside, He dropped the bucket square over the horse's eyes, The snake screamed, "He's got me! Run for your life!" And the horse ran outside by the farmer's wife, He ran through the flower bed, this way and that, When the bucket flew off and the camera went snap! Among wrecked flowers, the horse panted, confused, The farmer's wife said, "You've got some explaining to do!" When the farmer arrived, they told him the story, How the snake was attacked and the flowers destroyed, They showed him the picture of the horse's joy ride, "The evidence is clear, right before your eyes," The horse was dismayed, didn't know what to do, Didn't know what to say, how about you? Does this sound something you'd hear in the news? Does it remind you of Israel and the plight of the Jews?
9.
It's the fight for Jerusalem, the fight for us all, This is the dividing line, the fight over the wall, Our brothers, who will fight for them and keep our city whole? It's the fight for Jerusalem, it's the fight of our soul, On the right and on the left, in the East and in the West, Conservatives and liberals, concerning this we're all equal, The line was decided back in Nineteen Forty Nine, Jerusalem divided with the Armistice line, It's the fight for Jerusalem... Democrats, Republicans, Christians and the Muslims, Immoral and practical, religious and fanatical, Prison or security fence, apartheid or self-defense? Temple Mount, Kotel wall, Dome of Rock, Foundation Stone, It's the fight for Jerusalem... ...It's the fight for our soul!
10.
The Battle 02:13
11.
Three o'clock in the morning, A sound I hear, the phone is ringing, I lift it up and turn it in my hand, I see that it's from the Holy Land, My heart begins to race, The blood drains from my face, My hands heavy, I want to scream, As I know what this might mean, Did my son have another baby, Which one day I will hold in my hand, Or did something else happen maybe, Another attack on the Holy Land? How should a mother feel, When her son is far away, How's she supposed to deal, Every time she hears a cry? Hashem, please protect my little children, Even when they've grown up tall and strong, Help whoever's on the other end of this phone, A birthing mother or a victim of a stone, Hashem, please protect... Three o'clock in the afternoon, I listen as I tidy up the room, On the phone my son makes a siyum, He says out loud, "Uhnoo mashkeemim", I look out the window where they used to play, The sleepless nights and I can hear him say, Mommy, can you hear me? Did you fall asleep? I'm here, I say, before I start to weep, Thank you, Hashem, for my little children, For making them to grow up tall and strong, Thank you for sleepless nights that have led me, To this moment to hear this song, Thank you, Hashem, for...
12.
Brother 02:39
Brother, how long will you go on like this, Don't you see what's obvious, It's time you change what you do, Your obligations surround you, Words fly through the air, Who it hits, no one cares, Peace will surely come some way, And G-d will make it happen someday, Brother, I'm only looking for your best, Here's the exit, watch your step, Careful now, there's a scuffle over there, It's getting closer, hey! WATCH OUT! HATZILU! A stone flies through the air, Who it hits, they don't care, It could be his turn, yours or mine, But G-d chose clearly this one, this time, Brother, I'm sorry that it ends this way, I don't know why those harsh things I would say, Please forgive me, my brother, my friend, He is fading, it's the end, Our souls fly through the air, All our claims disappear, War brought peace between us somehow, And G-d will surely gather us in now.
13.
He wakes up to daven while it's still early, He gives one last look in the crib at his baby, He stands there a moment, thinking in his heart, Hashem, please protect my family from harm, Out on the street he helps an old man across, And makes his way on the crosstown bus, He waits on the platform for just one more train, And whatever Hashem has in store for today, BREAKING NEWS, A JERUSALEM MAN WAS KILLED TODAY NEAR THE LIGHT RAIL, IN WHAT ISRAELI POLICE SAY WAS A TERROR ATTACK, AND NOW FOR SPORTS, BOSTON BEATS CHICAGO IN A TROUNCING 19 TO 7... We wake up early as they wake up too, They sharpen their knives as we go to shul, As everyone prays to the G-d of Creation, We toil in Torah and fight for our nation, We run to daven or to the border, To check all the lines and see all's in order, We'll get rewarded for tying our shoes, And placing our lives to save fellow Jews, His brother's in the army, protecting the nation, With a prayer and a gun and determination, He stands by the platform and lifts up his eyes, And waves to his brother on the other side, Suddenly a warning, a cry in the distance, A hundred reactions, a silent confusion, The soldier, he sees him and fires his load, But the stone has been thrown so long ago, We wake up early... “TODAY'S TOP STORIES, MORE VIOLENCE IN JERUSALEM TODAY, IT WASN'T AN ISRAELI WHO WAS SHOT AS EARLIER REPORTED, BUT A PALESTINIAN YOUTH WHO WAS KILLED, BY ISRAELI FORCES CARRYING M16S, AFTER ALLEGEDLY THROWING A SMALL STONE, IN THE DIRECTION OF SOME PEOPLE, THE BOY, WHO WAS JUST 19 YEARS OLD, WAS HEARD TO CRY 'G-D IS GREAT!' BEFORE BEING SHOT DEAD, THERE WERE NO CAUSUALTIES ON THE ISRAELI SIDE, AND NOW FOR THE WEATHER, IT'S COLD AND DREARY THIS MORNING...” We wake up early...
14.
I had a dream but I don't know what it means, I dreamt a bomb had blown up and destroyed the world, I dreamt you gave up on humanity and threw us in a whirl, I dreamt the fathers and mothers, all the wishes and prayers, Washed away in despair, I watched as tunnels and bridges, machine guns and ditches, Flew through the air, leading nowhere, All the toys and games gone in flames, The telephone wires erupted in fires, As I watched out the window as the sky lit up, I felt a change inside of me and then I woke up, I lay in my bed as still as the ground, When I heard far away a very small sound, It sounded like a shofar and the message it was sending, Was telling us all that the exile is ending.
15.
Over in India or South America, On a mountain's peak, people seek eternal truth, In America, in the Stanley Cup, People try to find eternal youth, The time is ripe for something right, We gotta change, We all can feel a need that's real, We're gonna change, We're guaranteed great plans, It can be hard or grand, The choice is in our hands, In airplanes and cars, on a journey to Mars, People send that the end is near, Over in Brooklyn or Jerusalem, All agree the end of history is here, The time is ripe...

about

The main theme of the album is something Rav Nota Schiller repeated often, that the way we treat each other is the way the world treats us. It's true on all levels.

If people throw rocks at cars on Shabbos then Arabs throw rocks at cars during the week.

If the Isreali secular media uses buzz words to arouse ill-feelings towards the Ultra-Orthodox then the world media uses buzz words to arouse ill-feelings towards the State of Israel.

If the left-wing tries to change the religious status quo, then the Arabs murder in the name of the "changing Status Quo" of the Temple Mount, and Barak Obama tells Bibi Netanyahu that America can't support Israel forever, "despite the status quo".

There's a bunch of songs about Shabbos and other religiuos and/or political issues but the climax of the album is tracks 11 to 14, revolving around 2 brothers who's ideological differences melt away in a terror attack.

credits

released November 30, 2016

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Bumy Goldson New York

Bumy Goldson's music is intellectually perceptive and emotionally powerful.
Too many people are caught up in the illusions of "what's going on" in the news but tend to miss that right in front of them is a beautiful world unfolding.
Bumy's music will stir in you a longing and a way to see the real world more dreamy than you can ever imagine.
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