Running to the Social Justice Beat

By Chris Olson, Outreach Coordinator

In December, my roommates and I made a pact (well, we pinky swore, which is the most binding agreement in the legal system if you ask me) that we would all work together to put a priority on getting in-shape before the end of our LVC year. We called it our Six Month Six-Pack Challenge. As a result I have been working out regularly for the past month. Two evenings a week in the Loyal Heights Community Center weight room and two or three evenings running around my neighborhood. I've never been one to "work out" but I am finding that it is a great way to relieve stress and feel energized. I can't say that I have seen much of a body result so far, but even if I don't just the fact that I am moving my body and getting off the couch is enough of a reward for me.

One of the issues that has always discouraged me from running in the past is boredom, which would focus my attention on how much I disliked the running. I would be easily defeated. Since January, however, I have been using my MP3 player to listen to music while on my evening run. This has been a fantastic change. I only have two albums on my MP3 that are appropriate for any kind of exercise music (I used to use it while I was studying at the library and haven't updated the "study" music with something more upbeat), one is the John Butler Trio album "Three" and the other is the Caedmon's Call album "Share the Well". Both albums were written around social justice themes.

The John Butler Trio is from Australia and has been advocating against uranium mines in Australia and for the rights of the Aborigine people. Caedmon's Call is a Christian group passionately involved with the Dalit Freedom Network to help the "untouchable" and impoverished Dalit people of India. Since these are the only two uptempo albums on my MP3, every time I run I get a good dose of encouragement about social justice issues. It makes for an uplifting, inspiring, and soul satisfying 45 minutes.

I would like to share the lyrics of one of my favorite songs from Caedmon's Call. Its the title track called "Share the Well". I tried to find it online to post in the blog, but couldn't. You can go to the Caedmon's Call website by clicking on this link or on the picture below and you can listen to to the song there. Enjoy!

"Share the Well"
words and music by Randall Goodgame

Je Ra Ji Ra, Ji Ra, De Ji Ra, De Ji Ji Ji

Share the well, share with your brother
Share the well my friend
It takes a deeper well to love one another
Share the well my friend

Je Ra Ji Ra, Ji Ra, De Ji Ra, De Ji Ji Ji

Do you think the water knows
Flowing down the mountain thaw
Finally to find repose
For any soul who cares to draw
Some kindred keepers of this Earth
On their way to join the flow
Are cast aside and left to thirst
Tell me know it is not so

Share the well, share with your brother
Share the well my friend
It takes a deeper well to love one another
Share the well my friend

All God’s creatures share the water hole
The blessed day the monsoon comes
And in His image we are woven
Every likeness every one
From Kashmir to Karala
Under every banyan tree
Mothers for their children cry
With empty jar and bended knee

Share the well, share with your brother
Share the well my friend
It takes a deeper well to love one another
Share the well my friend

Je Ra Ji Ra, Ji Ra, De Ji Ra, De Ji Ji Ji

You know I’ve heard good people say
There’s nothing I can do
That’s half a world away
Well maybe you’ve got money
Maybe you’ve got time
Maybe you’ve got the Living Well
That ain’t every running dry

Share the well, share with your brother
Share the well my friend
It takes a deeper well to love one another
Share the well my friend

Share the well, share with your brother
Share the well my friend
It takes a deeper well to love one another
Share the well my friend

Je Ra Ji Ra, Ji Ra, De Ji Ra, De Ji Ji Ji