Music

Glory and the Dream   Run Time: 3:47

Written by Bill Mallonee for Russachugama Music and CyBrenJoJosh (BMI) ©1994

only heard a few stories
really only seen a few works
tractor paints on plywood
covered with verse

you see so much
see not much at all
but we're treading down serpents
and we're breaking the fall

if a picture's worth a thousand words
what i've seen is what i've heard
the image writhes flickers on the screen
distance grows wide between the glory and the dream

you may be out there on the river
with your bridges all burned
cannot swim a stroke
'cause you never learn never learn

sure some wear it like a badge
or a noose around their neck
but call me home early Lord
i swear there's nothing to protect

Did You Know?

"Glory and the Dream" was inspired by the works of Georgia folk artist, Rev. Howard Finster. Another band from Athens, R.E.M., also wrote a song dedicated to Rev. Finster. The song is "Maps and Legends," which appeared on their 1985 Fables of the Reconstruction album (for which Finster created the cover art). Finster did actually use "tractor paints (enamel) on plywood" and works did show people "treading down serpents" and many works were "covered with verse." The title for the song, however, comes from the title of a book by William Manchester. The Glory and the Dream: A Narrative History of America 1932-1972 has been an influence for a number of Bill's songs. The title phrase also appears a few times in Wordsworth's "Intimations of Immorality," although it is not known if Bill was influenced by this work.

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