Some of you know the name Carrie Newcomer. She is a Quaker and contemporary folk singer. She happens to live in Bloomington, Indiana, but don’t hold that against her. Last year, the CCC class spent an entire session listening to some of her songs and talking about the feeling and meaning of the lyrics. We didn’t get to listen to one of my favorites which is called “If Not Now.”
The first verse says:
I see sorrow and trouble in this land/
I see sorrow and trouble in this land/
Although there will be struggle/
We’ll make the change we can/
And the refrain picks up:
If not now, tell me when/
If not now, tell me when/
We may never see this moment/
Or place in time again/
If not now, tell me when?
The song has a sense of urgency. It’s a great call to action, to seize the moment and work for change while there’s a chance to make a difference.
