Concerned Connection

Nearly seventeen years ago, when my daughter was two months old, my mother was murdered in a hate crime in Michigan. (Click on the OWL October 31, posting, "Goodbye Sun," if you want to read about this experience.)

When I preferred to retreat, "Don't Give Up" had a powerful impact on me and encouraged me to return to active participation in life and work.

Though not everyone is suffering, for the countries and people that are going through difficult times, and for those blog readers who are struggling, I offer this song to you in whatever version that touches your heart the most.

Willie Nelson and Sinead O'Connor




Bono and Alicia Keys



Peter Gabriel and Angun



Shannon Noll and Natalie Bassingthwaighte



Don't Give Up (written by Peter Gabriel 1986)



In this proud land we grew up strong


we were wanted all along


I was taught to fight


taught to win


I never thought I could fail.



No fight left or so it seems


I am a man whose dreams have all deserted


I've changed my face


I've changed my name


But no one wants you when you lose.




Don't give up - 'cause you have friends

Don't give up - you're not beaten yet

Don't give up - I know you can make it good.



Though I saw it all around

never thought that I could be affected

Thought that we'd be last to go

it is so strange the way things turn.

Drove the night toward my home

the place that I was Born on the lakeside

As daylight broke I saw the earth

the trees had burned down to the ground.



Don't give up - you still have us

Don't give up - we don't need much of anything

Don't give up 'cause somewhere

there's a place where we belong.




Rest your head

you worry too much

it's going to be alright.

When times get rough you can fall back on us

Don't give up

please don't give up!


Got to walk out of here

I can't take anymore

Going to stand on that bridge

keep my eyes down below.

Whatever may come and whatever may go -

That river's flowing that river's flowing.

Moved on to another town tried hard to settle down

For every job so many men so many men no one needs.

Don't give up - 'cause you have friends

Don't give up - you're not the only one

Don't give up - no reason to be ashamed

Don't give up - you still have us.


Don't give up now - we're proud of who you are

Don't give up - you know it's never been easy

Don't give up - 'cause I believe there's a place

There's a place where we belong