Peter, Paul and MARY!

Here’s the other thing heavy on my mind (see below). Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary fame passed away recently. In earlier posts, I write about the influence of this folk singing group, leading to the formation of The Salvation Singers (June, July, Aug 2008 left) or www.joenoland.blogspot.com for those reading this from a different site. In many ways we patterned ourselves after them, Doris assuming the Mary role. It also reminded me that I haven’t finished those 60’s era autobiographical sketches as promised. Watch for them in days ahead.

Here are some of the parallels. Mary and I are 72 years of age. Their rise to fame began in 1963, the same year Doris and I entered The Salvation Army School for Officer Training in San Francisco. Quoting from an AP article, “And they were vehement in their opposition to the Vietnam War, managing to stay true to their liberal beliefs while creating music that resonated in the American mainstream… “Blowin’ in the Wind became another civil rights anthem, and Peter, Paul and Mary embraced the cause. They marched with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Ala., and performed with him in Washington.” Our music (SS), liberal in message and style, was likewise a protest against every form of evil and inhumanity, also resonating with both the counter culture and religious mainstream. I too marched for civil rights, as documented in those same sketches.

I’ve just posted some thoughts on the liberalism of Jesus over at The Rubicon (www.rubicon.org), which will raise a few eyebrows I’m sure. And in future posts I will continue to develop that theme. This reminder of Mary Traver’s life and what she stood for only strengthens my resolve. “If I Had a Hammer” became another anthem for racial equality. Those who stood firm and tall for this and all equality issues then and now, speaking and singing out against every form of inhumanity, were/are labeled liberals. And I’m proud to be counted among them.

Another of their hits, featuring Mary as a soloist, was “Jesus Met the Woman at the Well.” The Salvation Singers also performed it, featuring Doris. Just think about the statement this Biblical musical rendition is making. Perhaps it further supports and strengthens my claim: “Jesus Christ: Flaming Liberal!”

Thanks Mary.

JN