Larry Norman "The Great American Novel"

[jrmd32]

This song was written in the early 70s, recorded in the 80s, is relevant for today, and is prophetic for the future. Just listen to the whole thing.

[poobumm78]

I THINK WE SHOULD ALL JUST TRY AND BE BETTER TOWARD EACH OTHER IN EVERY SINGLE DAILY SITUATION. WITH EVERYONE YOU SEE OR INTERACT WITH. at least for the most part.

[godfather301a]

@poobumm78 hippie

[poobumm78]

@godfather301a DAMN STRAIGHT.



[godfather301a]

@poobumm78 does he know what a rhyme scheme is?



[raponte1955]

Sounds like early Dylan!

[lawrence1009]

Larry Norman was a musical prophet we need to take heed to what he sings. Even though he has gone to be with the Lord his music will continue to speak to us.

[tulsavintagedigital]

No mainstream "Christian" artist today would dare record a song this in your face now days. Larry Norman was the real deal!

[staucody]

@tulsavintagedigital Larry Norman wasn't exactly mainstream, even on Christian radio. But today, Derek Webb is who I would point to as a comparison.

[donkuss]

Is this 1972 or 2010?

[dickiefredericks]

Relevant in 2010! RIP Larry.

[lastdaysguitar]

Larry was so real, so unique, a true American treasure.

Thanks for posting this.

[katiejohnson137]

my teacher just sang this song. what an incredible song.

[boatme101]

Relevant in 2010

[possumsleeps]

relevant in 2010.... thanks for posting- been a Larry Norman fan and a fan of GOd for a long time!!

[TheDisharmony]

this is a great song. it is about that we are not perfect and we are not evolving into a "better race". we are getting more confused because we are the fallen. thats why we need god

[happymsw]

i love larry norman's music. he's not even a very good singer, but his message is incredible. he's not one of those stuck up, condemning, i'm better than you because your more of a sinner, types of christians. he's the down to earth kind, one who really gets jesus' love.

[spiritofthestreets1]

phrohetic

[rickthaluddite]

I saw Larry in concert six times-- the most memorable was out an outdoor festival in Kitchener, Ontario (must've been 1984 or '85) and he had to play inside because of rain-- he performed for nearly four (count 'em 4) hours!

[mensamaterial]

got to do a concert with Larry back in the late 80s...awesome.

[terryeugenewright]

Great song and theology. As a pastor I listen to this song alot. It keeps me centered. Thanks for the posting

[kvernon1]

I was there!!

I saw Larry in concert 3 times, in 3 different states (NY, VT, MA). Thank you so much for posting this video. It brought back some great memories.

[saursoor]

wow. Great American Novel set to the tune of I Hope I See You In Heaven. Anyone else notice that? He was constantly playing around with the audience

[kvernon1]

The melodies to these two songs are similar but definitely not the same.

For example, in I Hope I See You in Heaven, you'll hear the notes are higher for lines like "I was wrong / To let you go...."

[cgtozer]

Here's the guy that everyone in CCM owe's SO much too. Thanks for posting the video.

[meandthebees]

INCREDIBLE.

[rogerramjett]

The John Denver comment at the end is genius. If any of you guys are longing for truth-telling singer/songwriters like LN, you owe it to yourself to check out Derek Webb.

[ATBINTC]

Amazing statement! Thanks for the great songs! God bless you Larry!

[kenorian]

Larry, rest in peace and rise in glory. Thanks for the way you've helped me to know Jesus better - for many decades....

[onthisroad]

Fighting a war that's not our own, sacrificing our children to KILL, politians & news exaggerating falsehoods, tapping phones, and spying on peaceful citizenry. God, Larry, why did I never MEET you??? How it pains me now, Brother. Except I believe in separtation of church and state, cos we see now how political crackpots manipulate the people's spirituality to promote fear/war. See DVD "Outfoxed, Rupert Murdock's War on Journalism" to understand the brainwashing of America into passivity.

[superjoshua7777]

I love this song.

What he said at the end was awesome!! xD

[cardwellers]

The quality's not too bad at all actually. I really enjoyed this - thanks for uploading!

[TerryRay02]

Justice was an awesome cd. I wish I still had it.

[TerryRay02]

I like the Steve Camp cover of this song better but this version is still very good.

[opted]

Ken, You're presuming Jerry's there.

[CajunPunk]

My thoughts exactly...

[ken1Moore]

He is now singing before the throne of God. He is walking, talking and singing to his Lord. I wonder what Jerry Falwell thought when he saw Larry walk into heaven?!?!?!?

[kgdabom]

You really think Jerry is in heaven?

[ken1Moore]

For all of his political misgivings, I think he is in heaven. As long as he believed in salvation by grace alone through faith alone then he is in heaven.

[dutchontheroad]

Man, this is great! I gotta learn to play and sings this myself also.

[boomac62]

What a great song by a gifted man....what a message he brought...I had Steve Camp's version but I never hewrd this...thanks

[maybeez]

We're having a "Tribute To Larry" concert on the 30th of march in Fredrikstad, Norway. Thanks for everything Larry.

[zeek827]

we need more men in this country with these sise gonads

[bigcoolviking]

MAY YOU LIVE TO DANCE ON YOUR OWN GRAVE LARRY You will.... oh yes! you will! I wish I had been so faithfull, and insightful! an inspiration and a wake up call for me...always ! Love Graeme.

[GahDub]

"Don't ask me for answers, I've only found one.....That a man leaves his darkness when he follows the Son."

I love how that he sang that song at the white house....not that long ago.

Thanks, Larry, for all the great music and the main message my brother. See you at the "meeting in the air".

[hallstate32]

Thank you Lord for using Larry to minister to me and for the memories that stemed from his music! Congrats Larry Norman on your ticket to the Kingdom!

[PrairiesEdge]

Rest in peace, Larry, my dear beloved brother in the Lord Jesus Christ! "Goodbye Farewell -- We'll Meet Again."

"... Lay My Body In the Ground But Let My Spirit Touch the Sky..."

D0wn by that Higwayside --

¸.•*¨)

*¸.•´ (¸.• ~ Michael Norville

"Be aware of the time passing by,

they say the end it's the wink of an eye!"

[billyblaze67]

See you there, Larry... R.I.P.

[heyverne]

Sweet summer nights upstairs at the Salt Company coffee house Franklin & Gower Hollywood 1969, Arcadia, First & Alice, 500 seat auditorium Friday nights cars cruising Route 66 wi/bumper stickers "Honk if you love Jesus", the entire AHS Varsity football team opened the door for Jesus & were adopted into God's forever family, Jesus on Newsweek and Time, the same yesterday today and forever. Exclusive offer: Whoever will, come. See you here there or in the air Larry.

[drbcook]

A prohpet !!!

[AndrBellamy]

"The sheets you wear upon your faces are the sheets your children sleep on"

That line blew my mind the first time I heard this song. Great live version.

[drbcook]

Its great to hear this song again Its been over 25 years love it !

[pryme1]

"Those people who are not governed by God will be ruled by tyrants." William Penn

[pryme1]

"We must obey God rather than man." Acts 5:29

"You have the rights antecedent to all earthly governments; rights that cannot be repealed or restrained by human laws; rights derived from the Great Legislator of the Universe." John Adams, 2nd President of the United States

[WVECSpirit]

Didn't Steve Camp do a cover of this song?

[JeriRose2]

I like Larry.  Tells the truth doesn't sell the truth.

[ganao123]

One of my favourite songs. Doesn't sound as good here as on the record but still great tune and lyrics.

[LTF6161]

"my phone is tapped" "then why are the rich more equal than others" etc

Nixon, Vietnam, Bush, Iraq, truly "there is nothing new under the sun"

Classic (albeit little known) song.

[rgiacona]

wow this song could have been written yesterday-truth never fades

[Dano853]

Our money says in God we trust... but its against the law to pray in school. Praise God we don't have to obey all our laws " Judge for yourselves who it is right for us to obey: You or God?"

[billflowers]

Always loved this one, and agree with the other comments, it is still very relevant. The US is repeating it's own mistakes. maybe there's nothing new under the sun.

[roscoVII]

The very first Larry Norman song I learned,"In God We Trust"

[JNugent74]

Larry Norman... certainly a legend... post more, if you've got 'em.

[12BarDave]

Relevant in 1973.

Relevant in 2003.

Relevant now - how sad.

Bob Dylan couldn't have said/sung it better.

"A man leaves his darkness when he follows the Son."

Please post more! Loved it!

(Vid & audio were great.)

[jrmd32]

I agree

[rogerramjett]

What a HEAVY reminder that we're fallen and humanity is not evolving into something better. We are our own evidence of our need for a Savior...

[TheNYCO89]

My wife met Larry when she was in the student union at Gordon College in the spring of 79 and was recruiting some entertainment for the students. She picked Larry up at the Boston airport and was blown away by how DOWN to EARTH and incredibly humble he was. Larry hung out with my wife and several of the other students all night and acted like he knew them forever. Larry was a TRUE Christian with the Love of Christ as his compass. He is truly missed.