h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

This is only the beginning, I just have to get my records from P'hul's house so I can copy the lyrics.

But most of what I have are punk songs, so if anyones else has knows of any they think would be appropriate, just let me know.

And if anyone thinks that anything I have up here is inappropriate let me know too.

So, what do you guys think?

You're off to a good start. Just remember, in Business Thread 2 (I think, it may have been the first one... the halls at the Foundation are growing along quite nicely ), a lot of the members voiced objections to songs that incorporated elements of anarchism. So, if you want this to be representative of the Foundation, and not just your personal views, keep that in mind when you compile your lyrics. If you wanted to go the other way, you could do so, and I'd still link it for you, but I would only ask that the FFFF appelation be removed. I don't think anyone will have a problem with any of the songs you've chosen so far, though (but then, I suggested a Bad Religion song in that earlier forum, and got shouted down ).

And, allow me to suggest NOFX's song "Happy Guy." It criticizes the people who follow the popular mythology, but also ends with a lesson in tolerance:

"Don't try to judge him
his theologian ideals
his hopes may be false
but his happiness is real
don't try to judge him
he's just a man"

What album is that on?

That's why I wanted input, because I didn't want anything up here that anyone had objections to.

I'll read through the threads to see what it is people don't want. But that will have to wait til tomarrow as I have other things to do.

I'm pretty sure it was on Punk In Drublic. I'll post the full lyrics here, if you like, but it will have to wait until I get home from work.

Well, I seem to remember when we were having this discussion that I suggested 3 songs, all with varying levels of anarchism

John Lennon - Imagine (Not anarchic at all, and one of the best songs ever written....in my opinion)
Bob Marley - Get Up Stand Up (Has anarchic overtones, but I still claim is suitable!!)
Chumbawamba - Enough is Enough (Extremely anarchic - features the line "Give the fascist man a gunshot" - probably not suitable!)

OK, i'll try and think of more.

Here's the lyrics for The Happy Guy:

He's just a man
Getting through life the best he can
He's not a scientist
He programs a computer
before that he sold cars
to pay a student loan now he
receives pity from his family
his friends say
how could he turn his back
on reason worshipping a god
finding truth through fear and mind control

Miss-clicked in the middle of it...

He's just a man trying to explain
how he found the word of god could make life seem less insane
so he shares what he's read
what he understands
it makes perfect sense to him
he's never seen the world so clearly
turned his back on free will, has he lost his mind?
rather kneel down than take charge of his life

and he knows what people think
but it doesn't sway him
he can see the writing on the wall
cause he knows how people treat
how they treat each other
sacrifice to benefit the all

don't try to judge him
his theologian ideals
his hopes may be false
but his happiness is real
don't try to judge him
he's just a man

And while I had the cd playing, I realized that The Cause, off the same album, does a better job than the other one, with the sole exception of the line "we want everyone to think the same" (clearly, our goal is just the opposite). In fact, I should have suggested it when we were talking about anthems...

It isn't for the money
no it isn't for the fun
it's a plan, a scam, a diagram
it's for the benefit of everyone
you gotta have a little respect
subterranean ideals
traditional neglect
reflect on how it makes you feel

the cause, we're just doing it for the cause

no it isn't for the fortune
it isn't for the fame
it's a scheme, a dream, a barterine
we want everyone to think the same
because you know what you know is right
and you feel what you can't ignore
and you try so hard to point the blame
ashamed- what are we doing it for

the cause, we're just doing it for the cause (2x)

open your eyes
don't trust in Christ*

the cause, we're just doing it for the cause (2x)

*These two lines aren't on the lyric sheet, so I have to rely on my ear. I'm not entirely sure about that word, but it sounds close, and it certainly fits with the rest of the song.

Jethro Tull song; 'Wind Up'.

And though it doesn't deny any god, it does shun religion:

When I was young
and they packed me off to school
and they tought me how not to play the game
I didn't mind
if they groomed me for success,
or if they said that I was just a fool.
So I left there in the morning
with their God tucked underneath my arm -
their half-assed smiles and the book of rules.
And I asked this God a question
and by way of firm reply,
He said - I'm not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays.
So to my old headmaster
(and to anyone who cares):
before I'm through I'd like to say my prayers -
I don't believe you:
you had the whole damn thing all wrong -
He's not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays.
Well you can excommunicate me on my way to Sunday school
and have all the bishops harmonize these lines -
how do you dare to tell me that I'm my Father's son
when that was just an accident of Birth.
I'd rather look around me -
compose a better song
'cos that's the honest measure of my worth.
In your pomp and all your glory you're a poorer man than me,
as you lick the boots of death born out of fear.
I don't believe you:
you had the whole damn thing all wrong -
He's not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays.

-jb

hey greyrose,

you think that the bad relidion song about the fertile crescent would be a good one for that? its on the same album as the others that you put up there.

Devoidj-I think that Fertile Crescent has more to do with nationalism than religion, but thanks for suggesting it.

Well, I added the songs GB and jb suggested. Man, it sucks writing lyrics in GuideML, having to put breaks after every line and such. ARGH!

Ok, I suppose this is more about atheism than religion, but I always loved "Dear God" by XTC. Incidentally, what's the FFFF business?

Dear God,
hope you got the letter, and
I pray you can make it better down here.
I don't mean a big reduction in the price of beer
but all the people that you made in your image,
see them starving on their feet
'cause they don't get enough to eat from God,
I can't believe in you

Dear God,
sorry to disturb you, but
I feel that I should be heard loud and clear.
We all need a big reduction in amount of tears
and all the people that you made in your image,
see them fighting in the street
'cause they can't make opinions meet about God,
I can't believe in you

Did you make disease,
and the diamond blue?
Did you make mankind
after we made you?
And the devil too!

Dear God, don't know if you noticed, but
your name is on a lot of quotes in this book,
us crazy humans wrote it, you should take a look,
and all the people that you made in your image
still believing that junk is true.
Well I know it ain't, and so do you,
dear God,

I can't believe in
I don't believe in

I won't believe in heaven and hell.
No saints, no sinners, no devil as well.
No pearly gates, no thorny crown.
You're always letting us humans down.
The wars you bring, the babes you drown.
Those lost at sea and never found,
and it's the same the whole world 'round.
The hurt I see helps to compound
that Father, Son and Holy Ghost
is just somebody's unholy hoax,
and if you're up there you'd perceive
that my heart's here upon my sleeve.
If there's one thing I don't believe in

it's you
Dear God.

Great suggestion Frink! I'll put it in the hymnal as soon as I feel up to it.

FFFF is the Freedom From Faith Foundation, led by devout atheist GargleBlaster. Check it out.

http://www.h2g2.com/A254314

I really need to put a link to the Foundation on the hymnal page.

Maybe if we all wrote our songs in GuideML, it would save you some time, GreyRose.

I should have thought of that earlier. Hm.

-jb

Then how would I get them on the page? I guess I could just put links to them, but it doesn't really bother me that much. I was just not feeling very well last night. And I said I would get them up, and I stick by my word.

Ah, I mean like this, in this forum:

One Brown Mouse


Jethro Tull
Smile your little smile
Take some tea with me a while...


Like so. You could use the copy and paste function under edit.

-jb

But you know what? I don't know how to use that copy and paste crap. Really, it's no bother. A lot of the time when I'm here no one else is so I have plenty of time on my hands.

But.. but.. but I'm trying to save you time!

Oh, well. If you insist.


If you want to know, just say. ~inane smile~

-jb

Hey, no prizes for guessing what song I'm gonna suggest...

I´m suggesting "God must be a boogie man" by Joni Mitchell.