There was a story that recently appeared on the “Today Show” about a man named William “Bill” Dillon who spent 27 years in a Florida prison for a murder he didn’t commit.  He was finally released from prison in 2008 after the Innocence Project had given attention to his case and uncovered evidence that cleared him.

During his time in prison, Dillon taught himself to play guitar; music offered him a means to survival and carried him through 27 years of grief, misery, and devastation.  After leaving prison, Dillon continued to play his guitar in celebration of his freedom and eventually was contacted by a music producer who heard his story and wanted to help Dillon record a CD. On May 20, 2011 the title track of his album, “Black Robes and Lawyers,” was released on iTunes.

Dillon’s music, which has been compared to that of Johnny Cash, is truly inspiring.  A link to the piece that ran on the “Today Show” is here (in case the video doesn’t work below) and his song can be downloaded on iTunes…there is no doubt that Dillon’s story and music should be heard.

httpv://www.hulu.com/watch/241818/nbc-today-show-exonerated-inmate-finds-solace-in-music

Just a brief post on this lazy Sunday morning in gratitude that the end of the world did not come yesterday.

For the umpteenth time a president of the United States is attempting to initiate a peace process in Israel.  The history in this part of the world is much too rich and complex to think that there are any quick-fix solutions.  I take comfort, however, in this song by Steve Earle called “Jeruslaem.”  Earle’s voice holds authenticity for me–he has seen a lot of pain in his life and yet he can muster the courage to be hopeful without falling into naivete.  It would be nice if his hope were infectious.

Jerusalem

(Steve Earle)

I woke up this mornin’ and none of the news was good
And death machines were rumblin’ ‘cross the ground where Jesus stood
And the man on my TV told me that it had always been that way
And there was nothin’ anyone could do or say

And I almost listened to him
Yeah, I almost lost my mind
Then I regained my senses again
And looked into my heart to find

That I believe that one fine day all the children of Abraham
Will lay down their swords forever in Jerusalem

Well maybe I’m only dreamin’ and maybe I’m just a fool
But I don’t remember learnin’ how to hate in Sunday school
But somewhere along the way I strayed and I never looked back again
But I still find some comfort now and then

Then the storm comes rumblin’ in
And I can’t lay me down
And the drums are drummin’ again
And I can’t stand the sound

But I believe there’ll come a day when the lion and the lamb
Will lie down in peace together in Jerusalem

And there’ll be no barricades then
There’ll be no wire or walls
And we can wash all this blood from our hands
And all this hatred from our souls

And I believe that on that day all the children of Abraham
Will lay down their swords forever in Jerusalem