Don’t Let The Fire Die

A note from Father Ron,

This song grew out of the upheaval of the murder of George Floyd.  African-Americans have suffered under the systemic racism that exists in our country.  Writing this song is a way in which to focus on unity and hope, rather than discord and chaos, and to remind ourselves that we have to work, continually, on these things.

The fifth verse is the heart of the song:  We have to learn to love one another, and we have to listen, too.  Listening is crucial to understanding, but too often we just talk, talk, talk.  The stories of ethnic minorities in America tell of a constant battle to overcome our prejudices. We need to hear those stories to see the injustices around us. We can’t close our eyes or our ears, that’s when the fire dies.  By failing to see and failing to listen, we lose the urgency to heal.  

I could have written 10,000 verses for this song, because the list of those lost, African-Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, Immigrants, Women, Children, is endless.  So, I hope this song kindles a passion for justice, hope and love.  Don’t Let the Fire Die!