Our Blue Sky:The Handsome Family

Artist: The Handsome Family

Album: Last Days Of Wonder

Appears On (Mixes): Mp3s Posted At Phancy.Com

Song Notes: This is from the brand new Handsome Family album Last Days Of Wonder which just came out a couple weeks ago. It's truly one of their best -- not quite as good as Through The Trees, but then, very few things are. This song is just a really great one for me, and, along with ''The Most Beautiful World In The World" kind of accurately sums up, at least kind of, my "spiritual" beliefs (or, more truthfully, lack thereof). I'm an atheist, and completely and utterly open about this fact, and, well, as such, I'm not convinced there's anything after death other than non-existence -- which basically terrifies the hell out of me.  See, I've tried non-existence before, for millions of years, so I'm pretty sure that I like existing more.  And, oddly enough, I believe it's that fear that drives folks who think of Heaven and whatnot as well -- after you die, for them, you still EXIST, just in a different place that's better.  I'm not sure if I really buy that, though -- but it is an excellent thought. But even if I knew that that was what was in store -- that I'd get to go to Heaven and hang out with dead guys, I'm still not sure what the rush is to get there. After all, this is a pretty grand place, too. (And, well, it depends on the view of Heaven; I've heard that in Heaven, you will be separated from everyone you know on earth, but you won't mind, but I'm not sure I like that idea, and I've also heard that animals don't go to Heaven either -- so, if I were so inclined, I wouldn't be putting my faith in either of those interpretations. But I love my friends and I love animals, and I wouldn't want to be separated from either.)  And, well, I like making people happy, particularly just people I don't know. Like little kids. I want to do more stuff to make kids happy. I want to show them the wonder of animals and science and art and the world around them. I want them to see all the neato things there are, and the stuff that just came about randomly. The beauty of chaos, and the ability to put things in order. The sheer joy of knowledge and experimentation. The brilliance of other creatures, like the octopus, or crows. The wonder of man-made structures and archetecture and inventions. There's a lot of really neat stuff out there, and I think we should turn our attentions to that, rather than some majestic reward which may or may not exist. I don't particularly care if I'm remembered even -- just as long as I help people who need it, even if it's just to be cheered up. That's all. - Rev. Syung Myung Me