Peace Be Upon Us

Here's something different for a change.


Got this new CD by Sheryl Crow and I’m enjoying it immensely. It’s classic Sheryl Crow, if you know what I mean, all infectious and hummable, ala Tuesday Night Music Club, her 1993 debut album.

Starting with the stripped down acoustic “God Bless This Mess” (so raw and demo-like in tone I thought something was wrong with the car player), you get the message that Detours signals her shift to more politically charged lyrics, and not a turn in her music (which still remains as radio-friendly as ever).

Among my favourites is "Peace Be Upon Us" which has a melodic mid-eastern inflected tempo and a catchy chorus. Crow is accompanied on this track by Ahmed al Hirmi who sings in Arabic.

Here’s a song that I want to dedicate to all Malaysians who voted, candidates who won, and everyone who’s committed towards a Malaysian Malaysia.

Walking down the street of dreams
Eating from the fruits of life
Tripping out on the smallest things
Trying to reach the light, trying to reach the light

Pick the key up off the floor
Put the key into the lock
Turn the lock, open up the door
Look at all you've got, look at all you've got

All the sinners and saints
All you creatures of faith
Don't need to be afraid
If you know what I mean
Let me hear you say

Peace be upon us, Peace be upon us, Be upon us all
Peace be upon us, Peace be upon us, Be upon us all

If we speak in tongues of love
But we kill in the name of God
How can we profess to own his name
And still be so lost and still be so lost

The world will turn even when we're gone
The earth will host many souls to come
Who will write the history, tales of
Wisemen, villains and innocent ones

All you shepherds and sheep
When you wake from your sleep
It will be a new day
If you know what I mean
Let me hear you say

Peace be upon us, Peace be upon us, Be upon us all
Peace be upon us, Peace be upon us, Be upon us all

As-salaamu alykum
Wa-alaykum assalaam
Assalaam alykum
Wa-alaykum assalaam

(The meek shall inherit the earth)

Peace be upon us, Peace be upon us, Be upon us all
As-salaamu alykum
Wa-alaykum assalaam
Assalaam alykum
Wa-alaykum assalaam

[Lyrics from metrolyrics]