“An Other Cup”
25 09 2007When butterflies leave their silk palaces
The scent of the garden blows towards Heaven’s way.
Like the toils of man,
Those who work to tomorrow
Will not miss the dreams of yesterday.
                                            ‘When Butterflies Leave’ by Yusuf Islam, 2006
Have you heard ‘An Other Cup’ by Yusuf Islam? Its very interesting. I like this piece because it reminds me of another saying quite like it, and both resonate with me. Also, imagine being that butterfly whose very nature directs it to something so wonderful and grand, though it has d no idea what that is. Its silk palace is one reality, the garden is another, and heaven is another still.
The title, ‘An Other Cup,’ says so much about what we hope we can achieve here in North America, which is to be that ‘other’ (in a sense) and to be firmly rooted here at the same time. When I listen to the songs I hear the sincere voice of my brother singing his experience of being a ’western’ muslim in the most honorable and universal terms. Where else can we find that? Not everyone may like his singing, his lyrics or the very ‘Cat Stevens’-like music, but we may appreciate the meaning behind his words and his music.
You can find a review of the CD here:
http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/12273731/review/12285347/an_other_cup
You can hear a bit of the CD here:
http://www.myspace.com/yusufislamÂ
Feel free to share what you think!
Categories : Direction
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