The Tune by Larry Norman

Snowblind by Larry Norman

download - purchase

The Tune
by Larry Norman

Album: Snowblind

all lyrics spoken: 

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.