Blackmoor Vituperative

This song played while I was working this morning. Every time I hear this song, I am somewhat chastized, because it reminds me that I don’t live up to my own goals for my behaviour.

Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
You could end up as the only one
Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society
At night a candle’s brighter than the sun

Takes more than combat gear to make a man
Takes more than a license for a gun
Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
A gentleman will walk but never run

If, “Manners maketh man” as someone said
Then he’s the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say

One of the things I like about this song is that it encourages polite behaviour, but doesn’t demonize anything I value. It doesn’t advocate weakness — it advocates strength, guided by wisdom. For example, “Takes more than combat gear to make a man / Takes more than a license for a gun” doesn’t say that someone with a gun is not a man — it says that a gun alone does not make someone a man. And I wholeheartedly agree.

So… note to self. Be a better person today.