Day 5 – A Song That Reminds You Of Someone
“Cruel, Crazy, Beautiful World” – Johnny Clegg & Savuka
I can’t hear this song without thinking of my oldest son, Kyle. South African musician Johnny Clegg wrote it for his son, and it is very appropriate, discussing the hardships that one will face in life. I won’t go into all of the hardships Kyle has had in his life, but suffice to say the first 5 years were not easy, to say the least. Then things would occasionally “go sideways” for him, and at times he would use his hardships as an excuse to fall back on. This, however, is contrary to how he was raised.
The lyrics are about facing up to life’s challenges, not hiding from them, and hoping for the best. I want my son to not shy away from the challenges that he will face in his life, and not use his troubled past as an excuse for his lack of progress. I want him to be happy, not just with the normal trappings of success, but with himself as a person.
My words about the song don’t do it justice. Instead, I’ll just post the lyrics so you can see why this Johnny Clegg song will always make me think of my oldest son.
You got to wash with the crocodile in the river
You got to swim with the sharks in the sea
You got to live with the crooked politician
Trust those things that you can never see
Ayeye ayeye Jesse Mfana (Jesse boy) ayeye ayeye (x2)
You got to trust your lover when you go away,
Keep on believing tomorrow brings a better day.
Sometimes you smile while you’re cryin’ inside,
Just once you’ll turn away while the truth be shinin’ bright.
Ayeye ayeye Jesse Mfana ayeye ayeye (x2)
Chorus:
It’s a cruel crazy beautiful world
Every (day first and third chorus)(time second Chorus) you wake up I hope it’s under a blue sky.
It’s a cruel crazy beautiful world
One day when you wake up I will have to say goodbye
Say goodbye — It’s your world so live in it! Goodbye (first-third chorus only). It’s your world so live in it!(x11)
Beyond the door, strange cruel beautiful years are waiting for you
It kills me to know you won’t escape loneliness,
Maybe you lose hope too
Ayeye ayeye Jesse Mfana ayeye ayeye (x2)
Chorus
When I hold your small body close to mine
I feel weak and strong at the same time
So few years to give you wings to fly
Show you stars to guide your ship by
Chorus
It’s your world so live in it