The Sky is Falling
Kevin Shinn 2004
On the corner
There’s a strange little man
Holding a handwritten sign
Screaming at the top of his lungs
“The End is Near!!!”
I wrote this song about Preacher Jim, who was a perennial favorite form of street entertainment on campus in the early 80’s. He usually showed up in the springtime when it was nice outside and students were ready for any excuse to be outside and sit in the grass. He could really draw a crowd. I was always fascinated by him, because I’m fascinated by behavior I don’t understand. He was hard to ignore
Jim was strange, that’s why I paid attention to him.
Some people listen
Some people hear
Most just pass right by
He’s nothing more than a strange little man
We’ve got nothing to fear.
Sometimes our most important messages are delivered by the Strange Little Man. Problem is, he gets dismissed easily.
Where there is no curiosity, there is no learning.
And where there is no learning, there is no humility.
And where there is no humility, pride takes over.
And pride always goes before the fall.
Pay attention to the odd, the mysterious, that strange encounter that doesn’t make sense. Don’t ignore it. There is likely a message for you.
The sky is falling down.
Down at your feet.