Amy Lu's View

I am feeling optimistic about the future of our country.

This feels like a bold and potentially controversial statement. I could qualify the hell out of it, but I’m going to resist that urge except to say that I do realize I probably get to be optimistic because of my privilege. But as I said in a recent Facebook post, I’m going to just bask in feeling optimistic while I can.

I say this at the beginning of the Democratic Convention, mostly inspired by the pick of Kamala Harris as the Vice Presidential nominee.

In light of my optimism, I decided to do “Peace Train” for our church’s most recent virtual Coffee House performance. (As always, this choice was also largely influenced by what chords were involved, if the song was more or less in my vocal range, and if I thought I could whip it into reasonable shape in a couple of days).

“Peace Train” is a Yusuf Islam (formerly and probably most famously knows as Cat Stevens) song, but I learned of it from a 1987 cover by The 10,000 Maniacs.

I still remember cranking that version of “Peace Train” at our high school theater/community center more than 30 years ago and rocking out. (Yes I was there all by myself–l think it was before a show). Go Natalie Merchant, go! (Natalie was the then lead singer and they introduced me to some amazing songs via covers– including “Because the Night” and “To Sir With Love”).

“Peace Train” infused and still infuses me with a sense of joy and hope.

Okay, I will qualify my response to the lyrics of “Peace Train”…I don’t think we’ll live in bliss, no matter who wins the November election.

But I have been crying (at least on the inside) and smiling lately.

“Now I’ve been smiling lately,

Thinkin’ about the good things to come

And I believe it could be,

Something good has begun.”

–“Peace Train”

And my performance of “Peace Train” turned out surprisingly well. My keyboard playing is quite basic (can I reframe that as sparse?) but my vocals are about as good as I can hope for.

Wow the first night of the DNC Convention just ended with “For What It’s Worth,” another of my coffee house selections. Let’s see if Peace Train makes an appearance!