Page 67 - wamcountry

Ronald E Davis

“How dare you pretend that this can be solved with just ‘
business as usual’ and some technical solutions?” spoke
Thunberg. Laissez faire rules the day. Business as usual, the
status quo, will blow us away, I heard and wrote.

“The eyes of all future generations are upon you. And if you
choose to fail us, I say: We will never forgive you,” said
Thunberg. So, we’re gonna, just like Greta’s said, hold you to the
flame, for your grandchild, I heard, and captured.

Not many of us are in a position to affect cataclysmic
global change. But it seems Mother Nature will handle that.
Yet the bravery, dedication, and “management of privilege”
by Thunberg seem legit, and seem to inspire youth worldwide
to respond to her calls. Our children can help lead the way, if
we listen. And their exuberant ignorance (respectfully, some
don’t know what they supposedly can’t accomplish) of what
019 saw the rise of the youth voice, and beginnings of a is possible must be given due consideration; because if it can
2worldwide movement of school-aged children who were be conceived, even if by an adolescent, perhaps it truly can be
challenging their world leaders to take notice of the destruction achieved by all of us willing to listen, and give it a try.
perpetrated upon the earth, and therefore future generations of
humanity. One such voice was Greta Thunberg of Sweden. Ron Davis, (a.k.a. Sweet Jeezus) has been writing lyrics and
poetry for most of his life. Only recently, however, has he made
“We are in the beginning of mass extinction… and all you can the commitment to become a musician, as well, and since then
speak of are fairytales of eternal economic growth,” she decried. has been rehearsing, writing and performing as a drummer with
3 Michigan-based bands, Lady and the Tramps (contemporary
Her impassioned honesty moved me to tears, and of course, and standard blues covers), Good Thing Going (eclectic blues
inspired an emotional response, which typically for me means a and jazz originals and covers), and Clifford and the Big Red
melody. If I’m open enough to the Universe and its muses, one Dogs, (pop, gospel, country originals). Davis composes under
eventually delivers a message. the artist names “Blaquesteel,” “FoldSpace,” and “Sweet Jeezus”
(or ‘Swete Jezes,). He debuted his first original rock/blues song,
This time, there was little hesitation from beyond: “And She Said,” in a vocal performance on May 3, 2019 in
Lansing, Michigan, and has participated in blues jams, open
“Clap if you want to, but generally I don’t care.” I heard first, mics, and open jams nationwide. Davis learned the basics of
imagining Thunberg’s thoughts as she addressed a group of guitar in 1991 while in Pasadena, CA leading worship and
possibly patronizing adults. These lyrics spoke to the passion of children’s songs at Harambee Christian Family Center, and
her speech, and the desperation of millions of young volunteering with Intervarsity Campus Ministries. There is no
earthlings fearing for their long-term quality of life on this consistent central theme to his melodies, ranging from love, to
planet. So, applause, or congratulations would simply be an social awareness, to professional and familial relationships.
insult and mockery (as we witnessed from a certain world Davis believes that the beauty of songwriting is that the musi-
leader.) cian can be open to ANY muse-ic influence, if they so desire. In
this light of understanding, Davis’ work songs, or blues
From there the melody grew into an amalgam of references to compositions don’t necessarily define or categorize him to him-
general society and atrocities against children, including school self, but rather challenge and allow him to grow.
shootings and/or the environment: “Thoughts and prayers”
was typical response from so-called “leaders” following mass
shootings, particularly at schools; Carbon skies addresses fuel
emission from planes and automobiles and deforestation; and,
greed of your sex trade, of course, assails trafficking offenses,
pedophilia and willful ignorance of presumably sensible adults;
and the oft overlooked religious persecution, and all the
subjugation of women, girls and boys therein whose assailants
must be prosecuted and eliminated and reparated.

Replete with depressing, but true and avoidable human rights
violations—environmental destruction is human rights
violation, this song is, I hope, balanced between the sombre
lyrical content of the lyrics and an upbeat 12-bar acoustic
performance. However, my semi-produced mp3 version of the
song has, and is intended to maintain, a dystopian vibe.

www.writeawaymag.co.uk 67