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A Peaceful Solution Will King
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Will King made it a priority to record his version of “A Peaceful Solution” to help further the cause of peace.
Will King wrote some different lyrics and used a wonderful natural vibrato with his voice to make the message more personally meaningful and to convey his personal feelings.
This is a big thing.
Every day Liz and I receive emails with ideas of things for Willie Nelson to do. I suppose few of these people consider how busy he is already. It isn’t like Willie Nelson just hangs out all day waiting for someone to bring him something to do.
Besides touring, making movies and performing benefits Willie Nelson has recently been interviewed by Alex Jones, Amy Goodman of Democracy Now and Ellen DeGeneres where he has gone on record regarding his view on current affairs.
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
In the midst of all of this, Willie Nelson wrote “A Peaceful Solution” and recorded several versions. Even though writing and recording music provides his livelihood, Willie Nelson has released “A Peaceful Solution” without licensing restrictions so other people can get involved with promoting peace.
Will King picked up on this and followed through.
Will King realized that he was going to have to do something for peace if he truly wished to see peace manifested. Being a musician, he does what he can, which is to write and sing songs.
Are you doing something for peace or just sitting around thinking up things for other people to do? What do you do in your daily life that could be used to further the idea of peace?
You see, peace is possible only when enough people decide to make peace a priority and do something about it. Will King and Willie Nelson have both figured out what they can do.
Now it is your turn.
If you have any musical inclination at all then we’ve made it pretty easy here at the Willie Nelson Peace Research Institute. Record you version of “A Peaceful Solution” and/or make a video to an already recorded version.
I don’t know how many people singing “A Peaceful Solution” it will take but I am convinced that when enough people join in then peace will become inevitable.
A Peaceful Solution Will King
Will King’s Lyrics to “A Peaceful Solution”
There is a peaceful solution, a peace resolution
Let’s save our America now
There’s a war and we are in it, I know we can win it
Let’s save our America now
It’s a dream, so believe it, get ready to receive it
Let’s save our America now
When the war is over, the world will be the winner
Let’s learn to love each other somehow
Let’s learn to love each other somehow
There is a peaceful solution, a peace resolution
Let’s save our America now
There’s a war and we are in it, I know we can win it
Let’s save our America now
Barack Obama knows how
Barack Obama knows how
There is a peaceful solution, a peaceful revolution!
Let’s learn to love each other somehow
Let’s save our America now
* * * * * Artist’s Statement * * * * *
Why are you passionate about creating peace?
When I was a young child one of the first books I took out from the library was a picture/history book on Martin Luther King Jr. I’m sure I was drawn to the last name, but more so, I was drawn to the passion in his face.
I would later learn that passion was his yearning for liberty, justice and equality for all — no easy task. As I’ve gotten older this yearning has grown deeper within me and my music.
How long have you been working for peace?
I think that I have always wanted peace but only recently began making artistic statements that underscore triumphs and struggles associated with the movement. For example, last year after taking a civil right quest through the Deep South, I wrote “Edmund Pettus Bridge [How Long, Not Long],” which recounts the horrific events of Bloody Sunday and the eventual passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
I learned a great deal about myself and my attitude toward both conventional and unconventional racism, which exists in many forms. The song has been used to raise funds for the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development. I provided a link below for those interested in hearing the song and learning more about the project.
What motivates you to work for peace and the environment?
A famous saying in my family is:
Peace is not the absence of conflict but our attitude toward it.
Wrapping your head around that concept is no easy task. I believe that Willie and Amy’s song, and in turn the mission of the Peace Institute, speaks to this phrase.
Collectively those of us participating either by composition or by interest or both are creating a collective “attitude” toward this war and the dire state of our planet, which is in peril.
Why have you chosen the path of Art for Peace?
I know no other way that is comfortable and natural to me. We all have our merits and a stimulus source that directs our respective actions. For me songwriting is a vehicle for true expression.
Art takes many forms and each one helps to shape direction of thought and spirit.
When all our respective artistic efforts are joined to form a collective–a surreal mosaic depicting true life emerges that is specific only to the human condition — not race, color, status or creed.
What are your ideas for peaceful solutions?
Those involved with this website, this song, this community, we are on the right path — no question. The key is to involve people either on the fence and curious or simply those who disagree but are open to entering into spirited dialogue.
I provided my amended lyrics to “A Peaceful Solution” which notes Barack Obama. I believe he is a candidate that can encourage meaningful, progressive dialogue across various socio-political lines.
That is why I changed the lyric to “peace resolution” [until the end when it is revolution -- we do need a catalyst] because there are just so many variables that have to be resolved and that will take cooperation from all parties, from all walks of life - nationally and internationally.
Change is possible, which is something I truly believe and am truly embracing as I move forward in this life. It is not easy but there comes a point where there is no alternative.
1] To learn about Will King’s new album “Come on in from the Cold” featuring special guests Grammy nominated John Cohen [The New Lost City Ramblers, and recently featured in Martin Scorsese's documentary on Bob Dylan, No Direction Home] and John Ventimiglia, who played Artie Bucco on the The Sopranos, please visit - www.willkingmusic.com
2] To hear Edmund Pettus Bridge [How Long, Not Long]:
www.willkingmusic.com/Pathways_to_Freedom.html
3] The Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development:
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