Did You Ever Stop to Notice?

Image Credit: tommyvideo

In 1995, when Michael Jackson released “Earth Song” it evolved into a short film that features stark footage of Michael and native people around the world witnessing acts of natural devastation. At the beginning of this week, we celebrated Earth Day. No longer can we simply talk about how horrific conditions in nature and our environment are declining at record numbers, but we have to put up or shut up.

I featured this song previously on this blog, and it is worthy to be repeated. Today, I don’t want you to comment but if you have or have not heard this prophetic call to action, listen to it again. Absorb the words. Parts of the video can be disturbing but show a realism that we cannot turn away from. Open your heart and open your mind. The lyrics to the song follow the video.

Earth Song

Song and Lyrics by Michael Jackson

 

 

What about sunrise?
What about rain?
What about all the things
That you said we were to gain?

 

What about killing fields?
Is there a time?
What about all the things
That you said was yours and mine?

 

Did you ever stop to notice
All the blood we’ve shed before?
Did you ever stop to notice
This crying Earth, these weeping shores?

 

Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

 

What have we done to the world?
Look what we’ve done
What about all the peace
That you pledge your only son?

 

What about flowering fields?
Is there a time?
What about all the dreams
That you said was yours and mine?

 

Did you ever stop to notice
All the children dead from war?
Did you ever stop to notice
This crying Earth, these weeping shores?

 

Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

 

I used to dream
I used to glance beyond the stars
Now I don’t know where we are
Although I know we’ve drifted far

 

Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah

 

Hey, what about yesterday?
(What about us?)
What about the seas?
(What about us?)
The heavens are falling down
(What about us?)
I can’t even breathe
(What about us?)

 

What about apathy?
(What about us?)
I need you
(What about us?)
What about nature’s worth?
(Ooh)
It’s our planet’s womb
(What about us?)

 

What about animals?
(What about it?)
We’ve turned kingdoms to dust
(What about us?)
What about elephants?
(What about us?)
Have we lost their trust
(What about us?)

 

What about crying whales?
(What about us?)
We’re ravaging the seas
(What about us?)
What about forest trails?
(Ooh)
Burnt despite our pleas
(What about us?)

 

What about the holy land?
(What about it?)
Torn apart by creed
(What about us?)
What about the common man?
(What about us?)
Can’t we set him free
(What about us?)

 

What about children dying?
(What about us?)
Can’t you hear them cry?
(What about us?)
Where did we go wrong?
(Ooh)
Someone tell me why
(What about us?)

 

What about baby boy?
(What about it?)
What about the days?
(What about us?)
What about all their joy?
(What about us?)
What about the man?
(What about us?)

 

What about the crying man?
(What about us?)
What about Abraham?
(What about us?)
What about death again?
(Ooh)
Do we give a damn?

 

Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

🌏 Restore Our Earth 🌎

Image Source: Earth 911

Today is Earth Day. This annual commemoration is celebrated on April 22 to include a wide range of events to demonstrate our support for environmental protection. This year’s theme, coordinated globally by EarthDay.org is #RestoreOurEarth. The network includes 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.

Now, while I am all in for such an initiative, I am distressed that such a life-saving, life-changing day like today is only highlighted on a global scale annually. Why aren’t we being proactive to decrease unnecessary deforestation, littering, and the dumping of toxic waste in our soil and waterways every day? Where is the fight from every single human on this planet to protect and preserve our precious ecosystems and natural resources exhibited daily? Why are so many reckless and careless people insisting on abusing, destroying, and disrespecting the very planet that helps them to survive?

We were created to be the caretakers of Mother Earth, the smart species so to speak. But we have failed our environment time and time again by abusing and bullying her, instead of compassionately protecting her.

Look what we’ve done to the world! 🌎🌤🌄

Video Source: VEVO

Celebrating Earth Day: “Earth Song” by Michael Jackson

As we celebrate Earth Day today, we recall a very poignant video by Michael Jackson called “Earth Song” that will forever leave an emotional thumbprint on our hearts. We want to share that video with you, but want you to be forewarned that there are portions of this recording that contain graphic images you may find a little disturbing, albeit a very real environmental epidemic. Michael Jackson creatively showed us vivid imagery of global concern about what we are doing to the world. As you watch this video, think about the message behind each scene and think about what you can do to make this world a better place for all of us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAWgU3hDK-E&feature=fvwrel

We cannot simply celebrate “Earth Day” only on one day during the year and totally disregard doing something environmentally edifying during the other 364 days of the year. We must celebrate “Earth Day” to commemorate the things that we have done and continue to do in order to save and sustain our planet. This world is a gift to us and you do not abuse gifts. When we neglect the environment, we neglect ourselves. When we abuse the environment, we abuse ourselves. When we help the environment to be positively fruitful, we too will be fruitful in many sectors of our lives. Join in to help fortify the lives of others and this planet we live in.

What about us? What can you do today?
Happy Earth Day everyone!