Jon Watts performing "Friend Speaks My Mind" in Cambridge '10

Jon Watts performs his "Quaker hit" from the "Dance Party Erupts During Quaker Meeting for Worship" video at Pendle Hill, "Friend Speaks My Mind" at Friends Meeting at Cambridge on his 2010 two wheel tour.

See his vlog from Boston:
http://bit.ly/azyxe5

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"Friend Speaks My Mind"
From the Album "The Art of Fully Being" by Jon Watts

Lyrics

I found Quakers when I was just a kid
and now Im studying them
I hope you know how that is

Ive got George Fox on my right, James Naylers on my left
and Margaret Fell is holding us together
give her some respect

Its that first generation we look back to
to find out what being a Friend means through and through
I dont fully understand it
I dont know if I can
but I understand enough to know that I am a fan

Im like, damn, I didnt think that I would do this anymore
I got bored
listening to lectures felt like a chore
But now Im begging Max Carter just to tell me some more
Oh lord

So when I heard this Christian stuff
Id get uncomfortable a lot
Im like, What does Jesus have to do with George Fox?
And when I heard the word Christ it would make my jaw drop
but now I kind of understand the man Ive got a soft spot

Im not a Christian but Im a Quaker
Ive got Christs inner light but hes not my savior
Im on a date to meet my maker
I got down at Young Friends
with some funky behavior

Now Im a liberal Friend
That means F-G-C
and tons of other acronyms that set me free
and Ive been running the gammut
from Quaker camps to sandwiches
with the Young Friends crew
I know we offend you
but yo, were Quaker like the rest of yall
Just cause we go to bed later
doesnt mean that midnight isnt Quaker

And yo Im sorry like everybody
that Quakers had to split
but just dont blame Elias Hicks for all our problems
Were the Society of Friends
its time we acted like it
and start to work together just to try to solve them

So all you Friends in the Meetinghouse
put your hands up
and then twist them at the wrist
like you just got out of handcuffs
Thats how you clap for me
youve got to clap silently

Im not a Christian but Im a Quaker
Ive got Christs inner light but hes not my savior
Im on a date to meet my maker
I got down at Young Friends
with some funky behavior

I found George Fox living in a journal
and its fertile
Im learning
I mean, Ive jumped a lot of hurdles
and done a lot of discerning
just to get to where Im sure that
the ancestors are working for certain
met the Spirit in person
now Im living life nurturing worship
(in certain circles theres a focus on service)

Now I know you might say
Well, thats some backwards theology
I know you might say
Well, thats not right
But thats the way that I grew up
and its the way that Im presenting it
Lets hold all our differences in the Light
Alright

Im not a Christian but Im a Quaker
Ive got Christs inner light but hes not my savior
Im on a date to meet my maker
I got down at Young Friends
with some funky behavior

To
Richmond Friends Meeting
BYM
FGC
Guilford College
QLSP
Pendle Hill
Earlham College
Shiloh Quaker Camp
Catoctin and Opequon
FCNL
AFSC
Langley Hill
Friendship Friends Meeting
Ashland Vineyard

FRIEND SPEAKS MY MIND

Category:

Music

Tags:

• friend speaks my mind
• quaker
• jon watts
• rapper
• cambridge
• meeting

[MerryAntics]

I have trouble understanding the words, there a place to read the lyrics?

[jonwattsmusic]

Yes!  In the video description all the lyrics are included. (hit "show more")

[icaleb]

Just FYI. You're not in fellowship with the beliefs of George Fox, but rather that of Elias Hicks.

Quotes from George Fox, from the Journal of George Fox (Nickalls):

"And soId I directed the people to their teacher, Christ Jesus their saviour, when these mountains were laid low, and so did set up Christ in the hearts of his people."

p. 82

"...Christ was the teacher of his people and their saviour."

p. 118

There are many more examples in his journal. Two was all I could fit in the comments.

[jonwattsmusic]

thanks Friend! I'm aware that the song leaves behind essential elements of Fox's teachings. It was not my intention to represent Fox but instead the Young Friends program in which I was raised, paradoxes included.

[icaleb]

Ah, I see. I didn't have that context before I heard the song.

But now I'm curious, at this point in your life are you in fellowship with Fox or Hicks (in reference to Jesus Christ, the Light and Savior)?

[Kleis1]

Jon-- we should have played this at the women's theology conference-- I was thinking of you. sending you light & love.

[AroShottProductions]

This is truly awesome.