[MD] Existence precedes essense

[david buchanan]

Case said:
Signs of the grieving process certainly ripple through our culture, what 
with nearly every movie since 1950 having and existential hero installed as 
the lead. But what's at the core of existentialism is the idea that we must 
define our own purpose. It some not come from higher authority. It is not 
built into nature. Each and every day each and every one of us has to find 
our own reason to live.

dmb says:
There is a song by Lucinda Williams that captures this grief in an 
interesting, oblique way. The title is SUNDAYS. Maybe its just a love song 
about an un-named boyfriend who broke up with her on a Sunday, but I get the 
distinct impression that Lucinda is talking about something much bigger...

I can't seem to make it through Sunday
I can't seem to make it through Sunday

Monday through Saturday I get by just fine
Every other day of the week I feel alright
But I don't know why
I don't know why

I can't seem to make it through Sunday
I can't seem to make it through Sunday

Sunday's supposed to be the day for kicking off your shoes
But how come that's the day I always get the blues
And I don't know why
I don't know why

I can't seem to make it through Sunday
I can't seem to make it through Sunday

Ever since you had to go I just carry on
But deep down inside I know there's something wrong
And I don't know why
I don't know why

I can't seem to make it through Sunday
I can't seem to make it through Sunday
I can't seem to make it through Sunday
I can't seem to make it through Sunday
I can't seem to make it through Sunday
I can't seem to make it through Sunday

And then there is Whiskeytown's FAITHLESS STREET. It captures that grief 
too.

If angels are messengers from god,
Please send one down to me
If angels are messengers from god,
I wrote a letter he should read

Been living on faithless street all by myself
Work your whole life for someone else
Trying to find sanction, Christ above man
He never shed his peace on this land
So I started this damn country band

Been living on faithless street all by myself
Work your whole life for someone else
Trying to find sanction, Christ above man
He never shed his peace on this land
So I started this damn country band
Cause punk rock was too hard to sing.

My point? Yea, this mood is everywhere. It seems that fundamentalism, which 
seems to be approximately the opposite of existentialism, is also a symptom 
of this same disease, an expression of the same grief. But artists capture 
it best, eh?

Thanks
dmb

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