Groans that Words Cannot Express

Romans 8:22-27 (New International Version)

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons [and daughters], the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

Creole: A Song from the Underground

Let's celebrate New Orleans for a bit by checking out "Creole," with Mos Def on Charlie Hunter's CD Songs from the Analog Undergroud. Slip into the feel of the Big Easy. Mos Def isn't always on key here (as on some of his other recordings), but it doesn't even matter. His phrasing and feel for the song are so in sync, you hardly notice.



Creole
by Charlie Hunter

plain and fantastic
lonely together
painfully tender like the first roll of thunder
You are sweet and slow
creole, creole, creole
you are veiled and bold
creole, creole, creole.

open and distant
the warm and the sharp breeze
movement and solace
you are the soft shine of lightning.

i just go walking in the rain
when i feel you in the sky
i just go walking in the rain
when i feel you....passing by
Oh whoa, oh whoa

easy fantastic
lonely together
painfully tender like the last clap of thunder
open and distant
the warm and the sharp breeze
movement and solace
you are the soft shine of lightning

you are sweet and slow
creole, creole, creole
you are veiled and bold
open and distant
creole, creole, creole (four times)

i love you (several times)

i just go walking in the rain
when i feel you in the sky
i just go walking in the rain
when i feel you passing by
oh whoa, oh whoa, oh whoa
oh whoa, oh whoa, oh whoa

easy fantastic
the warm and the soft breeze
painfully tender like the last clap
open and distance

the warm and the sharp breeze
movement and solace
you are the last clap of thunder

Haiti: Killing the Dream

Today's TV/radio broadcast of Democracy Now: The War and Peace Report, featured a piece about Haiti with activist/filmaker Danny Glover. The clip includes an excerpt of a 1992 documentary titled “Haiti: Killing the Dream.” The film, narrated by Ossie Davis, gives a complete history of the soaring triumphs and grave disappointments that Haiti has endured. This bit of text from the film gives a telling glimpse of Haiti's obstacles and foes of the past.

OSSIE DAVIS:

Haiti is located on the western part of the island, Hispaniola, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. The French turned it into their most profitable slave colony. But in 1791, the slaves revolted. By 1804, the slave armies defeated Napoleon’s legions, making Haiti the first independent black republic in the world. Fearing the example would spread, the United States refused to recognize Haiti, beginning an uneasy relationship between a country founded by slaves and one founded by slave owners. At the turn of the century, America’s view of Haiti was summed up by Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan, who said, “Dear me, think of it? Niggers speaking French.”

The film, written by Juan Gonzalez, was directed by Rudi Stern and Katharine Kean. Click here to see an excerpt of "Haiti: Killing the Dream," produced by Hart and Dana Perry of Crowing Rooster Productions.