Happy Man

from Across The Road by John Christian

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about

This is a very old song written in 1980. That was four years before my 'change'. At 23 I appeared as normal as anyone else. But inside I was already brewing an anti-imperialist mind set. I knew nothing about anarchy. But I had grown up in the 60s and 70s and had seen quite a bit of wrong doing by the side of the world that I was part of.

Don't misunderstand. I am not anti American. Nor am I a lover of the east. I stand for neither. In 1980 I wasn't sure about any of this but in writing this song I realize I was seriously unhappy with the United States.

I loved going south of the border and did so a lot. The American people are some of the most friendliest, outgoing and fun people I have have ever met. I actually like America. What I don't like is where they have come to. By 1980 we had had the Vietnam war, Watergate, several assassinations (including John Lennon), the Iran hostage crisis, and then Ronald Reagan. As a liberal minded person all of that was hard to take. As a Canadian I always reminded my fellows that we are greatly affected by what goes on south of the border.

So this song is about the United States and what I think about them. I don' t mean to insult anyone who is American. I am criticizing America's methods for dealing with the rest of the world. As I see it most of those actions are anti American.

lyrics

Happy Man ride free
And don’t tune your voice to the sound our guitars
Happy Man ride free
And keep within the movements of your heart
Forever’s been known to tear it apart

The latest call
Like burning through the darkness of the night
The latest fall
Colliding with a multitude of rights
Both sides have been aligned by way of sight

Happy Man ride free
Consider what the stars and stripes have done
Happy Man ride free
Accumulated power with the gun
And smother then with prided what you have done

Happy Man ride free
And tell us of a different way of life
Happy Man ride free
But don’t discard your feelings with a knife
The attitude that puts you always right

credits

from Across The Road, released May 25, 2016
John Christian - acoustic guitar, electric guitar, handclaps, vocals, bass, sound effects, arrangements, and production.

Theodore, Penelope, and Romeo - barking

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about

John Christian Windsor, Nova Scotia

Music producer and arranger.

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Activist.

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