As many of you know, my song ‘Forgiveness’ was inspired by an interview I heard on CBC’s ‘As it Happens’ with a man (Michael Berg) who chose forgiveness instead of hatred in the face of the most trying of circumstances: the kidnapping and murder of his son Nicholas in Iraq.  The song was written to get his message out to as many people as possible, especially knowing that he had been persecuted for his courageous position, even shot at. 
On Tuesday I got a call from ‘As It Happens’ and they interviewed me about the song and then played that interview paired up with Michael’s on the evening program.  Sitting there in my car, listening to the 2 stories come together was without a doubt the most rewarding moment of my life/career.  I know that so many of you have helped spread the message and I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you.   Thank you also to everyone who heard the interview and sent me such wonderful emails.  It is so encouraging to know that his message is getting out there.  Despite all the horrible things we hear about on a daily basis, there is so much more goodness and humanity happening.

I wanted to share the piece with you in case you missed it and were interested.

CLICK HERE TO HEAR THE CBC INTERVIEW (with Michael Berg and then with me)

Forgiveness

I heard an interview on CBC radio about 6 weeks ago with the father of a man who was decapitated by Zarcowi. What was most surprising about the interview was the man’s forgiveness of Zarcowi, and his desire to break the chain of hate. He did not seek/want revenge; he was not thankful for Zarcowi’s death but only further saddened by it. What was also surprising was the reaction from other Americans to his unwillingness to speak out angrily and support the war ---he was actually shot at and shown huge posters of his decapitated son by angry pro-war protesters. I was very affected by the interview and wrote about it in my journal at the time.

With the recent events in the Middle East very much in my thoughts, I woke up this morning with that man on my mind and sought out the interview online. I listened to it  again today and was once again affected so much that it resulted in a song. I’ve just done a very quick recording of it in my bedroom and I’ve decided to post it online, along with the lyrics and the CBC interview for you.

I’m not sure what my ‘job’ as a singer/songwriter is supposed to be sometimes, but it seems to me that it should be to process some of what’s going on in this world and turn it into music. That’s really why I am compelled to write. Normally, the process of actually getting the song out there takes a long time (as I’m living right now going through the process of recording another album). I decided that I didn’t want to wait to put this one out there.
I don’t understand, on an emotional, naïve level, WHY people have to kill each other. That’s never made sense to me and I hope it never does. I imagine many of you feel the same way. Here’s my offering/plea for a change, do with it whatever you’d like. Hope you’re all safe and sound, much love PEter  

CLICK HERE TO HEAR THE ORIGINAL CBC INTERVIEW

***WATCH THE NEW MUSIC VIDEO***

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